SECONDARY MILK MARKETS, 1930-1932 11 



of the difficulty of maintaining the established price level. In fact, at the time 

 of this investigation, a number of small distributors had begun to sell their milk 

 at lower prices, especially in the southern section of the city where some of the 

 milk came from the adjoining territory of Rhode Island. The total number of 

 distributors in the Attleboro market at the time of the investigation was 50, 

 of whom 15 were dealers and 35 producer-distributors. There has been no increase 

 in the number of distributors since 1930; in fact, several small distributors have 

 discontinued their operations during the last two years. 



The relative proportion of milk sold by producer-distributors has increased 

 slightly since 1930, although not to the same extent as in the Gardner market. 

 The producer-distributors in these markets have been able to maintain their 

 sales at a higher level than dealers, due largely to more frequent concessions in 

 price granted to consumers. Being in closer personal contact with their customers, 

 they have frequently supplied milk on credit to those whom they knew to be 

 reliable but temporarily unable to meet their bills on account of unemployment 

 or financial difficulties. In numerous instances, also, producer-distributors during 

 the last two years have received payment for their milk on the basis of barter, 

 either for commodities or more frequently for various services performed on 

 their farms. 



Table 8. Average Daily Sales of Milk by Dealers and Producer- 

 Distributors 



N ewburyport 



The total sales of milk in Newburyport market have on the whole remained 

 stable since 1930. Although there has been a decline in the total milk moving to 



