18 N. H. Agricultural Experiment Station [Bulletin 266 



The absence of refrigeration on this farm up to 1930 (equipment for 

 both house and dairy were installed in 1931 ) was due to the location 

 of an ice pond within a few hundred feet of the barns and house. The 

 local conditions were such tliat the cost of obtaining ice on this farm 

 was considerably under that of the average. The gradual depreciation 

 of both ice house and pond dam, together with increasing stringency 

 of milk handling regulations, eventually proved the older method inade- 

 quate liowevei'. and eh'etrical equipment lias since taken its place 



The bulk load graphs in Figure 5, and kw.-hr. readings in Table 3 

 show that, while this farm reacted to the stimulus of the activities in 

 load building in 1926, the consumption has not only been maintained 

 but has gradually grown, year by year, from the original start in 1925 

 of 2,232 kw.-hrs.' until in 1930 it was well over the 3,000 kw.-hrs. per 

 year mark. This took place with the addition of only two major appli- 

 ances, the ironer and hot water heater, (side-arm type, used as a booster 

 on the range boiler) during the six year period. The increase raised 

 the monthly average from 192 kw.-hrs. to 262 kw.-hrs. 



The stimulus developed in 1926 was somewhat set back in 1927 when 

 a new rate schedule, developed by the company, reacted to the dis- 

 advantage of the rural user, but recovered in 1928 when the rate was 

 again changed and became more favorable. With the exception of 

 1927, rates in general have declined and consumption has increased. 

 Since the next rate in effect is not particularly conducive to a freer 

 use of current, the bulk load increase is not striking. 



FARM NO. 4 (RETAIL DAIRY) 



One of the most evident qualities of Farm No. 4 is the regular and 

 constant volume of electrical usage it has maintained throughout the 

 six year period. The method practiced by the owner has been to keep 

 the farm at a point of production which balances with an economical 

 use of man power and equipment. This point is where the curve of 

 volume of business crosses that of the lowest possible man power and, 

 theoretically, is the point of highest efficiency and net return. For this 

 reason the farm has neither increased nor decreased in size or amount 

 of business. This quality is reflected directly in the current consumed 

 each year, as will be seen in Table 4 and Figure 6. 



The original size and character of business in 1925 was as follows : 



Description. Three to four-man farm. Family of six adults. Twelve 

 room house. Large dairy bam with silo, bottling room, dairy wash room, 

 refrigerator room, carriage house, and horse stable. 190 acres, of which 65 

 acres are tillable. 27 head of cattle, 19 milked, 2 horses, 1 delivery truck, 1 

 pleasure car, modern machinery. Farm purchases some milk from nearby 

 farm and retails 300 quarts daily in city two miles distant. Buildings wired 

 in 1919 from nearby line without construction costs. Transformer of 10 

 K. V. A. capacity. 



The only change which has occurred in the 6 year period ending December 

 30, 1930, is the reduction in number of adults at home from 6 to 4, and a 

 closer adherence to a three-man operating basis. 



Equipment. Light Circuit Equipment: Wiring house and barns; House 

 lights, 55 outlets, average 40 watt lamps; Barn lights, 15 outlets, average 40 



