144 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



In 1913 prizes aggregating $3,000 were offered which were 

 divided as follows: in clean milk contest, $2,550; in a contest 

 of dairies best protected from flies, $450. 



In 1914 prizes aggregating $4,439 were offered which were 

 divided as follows: in clean milk contest, $3,389; farm account- 

 ing, $300; dairy barns, $300; dairy farm operations, $450. 



In 1915 prizes aggregating $4,321 were offered in the clean 

 milk contest. 



The total amount of prizes actually paid during the three 

 years is, in 1913, $3,000; 1914, $3,735.30; 1915, $4,261, making 

 a total of $10,996.30, and leaving for the carrying on of the 

 work $4,003.70, all of which has been expended. 



It was found after two years' experience that by far the most 

 popular of our eft'orts in this work was the clean milk contest, 

 so called, an educational and financial method of encouraging 

 the keeping of dirt out of viilk. On this account it was deemed 

 best that the unexpended balance of the money appropriated 

 for this purpose on hand at the beginning of 1915 should be 

 expended in the clean milk contest. No other State has ever 

 undertaken work of this character, and after three years' 

 effort in this line, coupled with other work done by the State 

 and various organizations within the State, it is a safe assump- 

 tion that Massachusetts-produced milk is to-day as clean or 

 cleaner than that produced in any other State of the Union. 

 This is a matter of vital importance to our dairymen, for unless 

 the Massachusetts product is of the highest quality and cleanli- 

 ness, and commands the highest price in the market, there is 

 small hope for the future of our dairy industry. Unlimited 

 competition from those sections possessing great natural 

 advantages for milk production on a large scale will prove too 

 strong for us to withstand. Quality, cleanliness, freshness, price 

 must be the slogan of the Massachusetts milk-producing farmer 

 if he will succeed. In the future the size of his business will be 

 measured by the consumer's confidence in and willingness to 

 buy and pay for milk of this character. Every effort should 

 be used to prevent milk produced outside the State, and 

 especially long-hauled milk, from getting or keeping any undue 

 advantage by reason of rates or otherwise. 



If this country would restore and maintain her dairy industry 



