158 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. 4. 



concerned on the outcome of this investigation. We are pleased 

 to note further that there are now on foot definite and well-con- 

 sidered plans for solid co-operation of -milk producers in both 

 small and large units in this State. Such co-operation, if 

 effected and carried out in proper spirit, can but be of material 

 and lasting benefit to the milk producers. More and more it is 

 settling into the minds of our people that the solution of the 

 milk producer's troubles is not so much a matter of legislation 

 as it is a matter of co-operation and business efficiency. 



Condensed Milk. 

 The Boston Chamber of Commerce reports that the amount 

 of condensed milk handled in Boston in 1916 was 2,945 barrels 

 and 762,446 cases. This is a decrease of 2,431 barrels from the 

 number of barrels handled in 1915 and an increase of 352,974 

 cases. (See table on page 163.) 



Oleomargarine. 

 The number of licenses in force in the State in 1915 was 

 1,089, and in November, 1916, was 916, including two manu- 

 facturers' licenses. In Boston the number of packages handled 

 as reported by the Chamber of Commerce in 1915 was 69,041; 

 the number in 1916 was 40,988, a decrease of 28,053 cases. 

 (For additional statistics see table on page 161.) 



Renovated Butter. 



In 1915 there were 39,056,180 pounds of renovated butter 

 produced in the United States, while in 1916 there were 34,- 

 514,527 pounds, showing a decrease of 4,541,653 pounds. (See 

 table on page 162.) 



Butter. 



The Chamber of Commerce reports the average wholesale 

 price of butter in Boston market for 1916 as 33.7 cents, an 

 increase of 4.5 cents per pound over that of 1915. The con- 

 sumption of butter, Boston output, during 1915 was 81,617,503 

 pounds, while in 1916 it was 79,279,456, showing a decrease of 

 2,338,047 pounds, due undoubtedly to the increased price. It 

 is unusual to note an apparent decrease in consumption of 



