54 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 173. 



determination to organize for the study of their own business and the 

 efficient disposal of their own product, all concerned will benefit. 



The dairymen supplying a large percentage of the milk of Erie, Pa., 

 have owned and operated their own plant for years. They handle milk, 

 cream and ice cream and not only distribute an excellent quality of milk 

 at low cost, but turn over to the producer a much larger percentage of 

 the consumer's price than he ordinarily obtains. Their success commends 

 their methods to the attention of progressive distributors. 



They point to the following achievements : (1) a pure milk supply with 

 an amazingly low bacterial count; (2) a lower price than in many other 

 cities; (3) elimination of duplicate routes, resulting in (4) large deliveries 

 per horse and driver; (5) concentration in large and convenient plants ; 

 (6) economical disposal of surplus milk by means of a condensery which 

 the association operates; (7) better wages to employees and (8) satis- 

 factory prices to the producers; (9) practical elimination of the difficulties 

 which usually arise between producer and dealer; (10) no wasteful com- 

 petition and (11) not a cent paid either in interest or dividends to the 

 original shareholders; (12) every cent of net receipts has gone to the 

 producers, to the plant or to a reserve fund. 



Not only this, but this method places the distribution on such a basis 

 that the town authorities could supervise the supply at a minimimi cost by 

 co-operating with other towns similarly situated. The cost of upkeep of 

 a laboratory for a chemist and inspector in a small town is prohibitive 

 at present, but if borne jointly by several towns the expense would be 

 reduced to a figure well within their means. The advantages obtained by 

 milk inspection are too well known to need consideration here. 



