Part II.] COST OF :\IILK PRODUCTION. 



57 



Table I. — Average Cost of Producing a Quart of Milk, by States.^ 



Number of farms, 850. • 



Number of cows, 15,000. 



Number of o.uarts of milk, 40,325,587. 



The above figures represent costs at the country railroad station. 



Labor. — The cost of labor was based on the provaihng wage, as shown by telegrams received 

 from the agricultural colleges of each State, December 15. 



N. B. — The above costs are figured on the basis of year-round costs, which included summer 

 pasture. The cost of producing milk from cattle is, therefore, increased or decreased, depending 

 whether or not pasturage is available. 



' Boston Chamber of Commerce Survey. 



2 Based on grain at S56 per ton, the average New England retail price as obtained from 60 retail 

 dealers in New England for kinds of feed approximating a balanced ration. Labor charge not 

 increased above those of summer of 1917. 



3 The principal difference between the United States Department of Agriculture standard 

 method of making the survey and the Chamber of Commerce survey is that the former has added 

 10 per cent, to the net cost per cow per year for managerial ability, business risk and miscellaneous 

 overhead charges. 



* Grain based on price for feeds approximating a balanced ration as sliown by quotations of 

 December 15. Average, $60 per ton. 



