8 N. H. Agricultural Experiment Station [Bulletin 266 



While this reaction is expected from the experimental group, due to 

 the concentrated installation of equipment and other operations in a 

 I'olatively short period of time, much of which was accepted on the 

 recommendation of the project engineer, the value of new equipment 

 will be measured by the average farm customer from available data 

 before he purchases. Thus, if reports of such a nature or points of in- 

 formation are lacking, his interest in investing will be correspondingly 

 retarded, making the building of load on rural lines slow in the initial 

 stages. That the rate of increase of load on rural lines bears a dis- 

 tinct relation to the preparations made to adequately serve this class of 

 business by the power company, agricultural institutions and other 

 organizations has been observed in the varying conditions existing in 

 the different New England States. 



Quantity use of electric current is usually accompanied by a lower 

 cost per unit. The results of moderate and liberal use on the net rate 

 paid for electricity are shown in Figure 3. In 1925 the total con- 

 sumption of 1,672 kw.-hrs. involved an 8c unit charge. While this is 

 a far better total than the average New England farm at present, it 

 represents but moderate use when the potential load on this farm is 

 considered. Without change in rate in 1926, an increase to 7,694 

 kw.-hrs. reduced the unit charge to 41/2 c. While a decrease in the 

 scheduled rates of the company was made in 1927, the "sliding scale'' 

 or "blocks" did not extend far enough to yield a significant or pro- 

 portionate saving over the preceding year in the total consumption of 

 10,480 kw.-hrs. 



The "blocks" or "steps" in this ease were such that while the aver- 

 age farm might be affected, a heavy user such as this farm failed to re- 

 spond, showing that an urban rate is inadequate, at least in one respect, 

 for use in rural territories. That the "scale" was not sufficiently re- 

 sponsive is seen again in the 1928 total, which drops to 6,340 without 

 causing the expected upturn in the rate; for while a slight reduction 

 in the scheduled rates was made it was not sufficient to offset the drop 

 in consumption and hold the net rate at 4 3-5c as shown. A further 

 slight rate reduction in 1929 about matched the decline to the 5,890 

 kw.-hr. mark and, therefore, maintained the same net rate. 



In 1930 a distinct decrease in rates was made, and at the same time 

 another "block" added to the sliding scale. This change in scheduled 

 rate was the only one of five made in the 6-year period which produced 

 tangible results to the customer — the decline from 8c to 4l^c in 1925-26 

 being entirely an effect of small and large volume of use. 



Resistance to Adversities Demonstrated. 



On all the experimental farms little or no effect of the financial de- 

 pression, which became more acute toward the close of the 6 -year pe- 

 riod, can be traced. There is no doubt that such conditions seriously 

 affect farms, but it is of more than ordinary interest that the use of 

 current is not deflected in a noticeable degree. If such is the case for 

 farms in general, the rural load would appear to have more than ordi- 

 nary substantial qualities. 



