24 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



In the recommendations made by the Chamber of Commerce 

 the fact should be kept in mind that no good results along 

 lines suggested can be accomplished by legislation. Indeed, 

 the question resolves itself down to one of more education for 

 the farmer, distributor and consumer, with the possible ex- 

 ception of some adjustment by the Interstate Commerce Com- 

 mission, and that is not in the province of Massachusetts law 

 to regulate. The report particularly emphasizes the damage 

 done to the whole industry by the continued agitation of the 

 question before legislatures. 



The country milk plant suggested by the report would be a 

 good thing provided a majority of the farmers were bound to 

 such a scheme. This plan presupposes that the farmer and not 

 the contractor shall control the country end of the business. 

 Undoubtedly this is as it should be, but to attempt any such 

 thing under present conditions would certainly tend to place 

 those farmers who started such a plan at the mercy of the 

 large dealer, unless the farmers can go into the city markets 

 and distribute their own milk. The question of collecting and 

 processing would be simple, but the selling would be difficult 

 and well nigh impossible unless the majority of the farmers 

 were committed to such a plan, and unless there were adequate 

 capital behind the scheme to take care of the city distribution. 

 Then, too, there are some localities where there is not enough 

 milk produced to warrant the estabhshment of country milk 

 plants. 



Agricultural Census. 



No agricultural census was taken in 1915. The statistical 

 department did not include any estimate in the appropriation 

 for this purpose. Neither has the government done anything 

 toward getting the figures for agriculture this year. It is 

 much to be regretted that this work was not done, for now if 

 no new figures are obtained until 1925, the next period in which 

 they would naturally be taken, it will be very difficult to note 

 the changes in agriculture. 



It would therefore seem advisable to recommend to the next 

 General Court that the agricultural statistics be taken this 

 year; provided as the State now is with a splendid statistical 

 department, and also in the country districts with county 



