June, 1940] Transportation of N. H. Milk 19 



While reorganizations such as those suggested in this study would 

 .reduce the total number of trucks, they would increase the daily re- 

 turns for those trucks operating, and would result in their being oper- 

 ated more nearly to full capacity. 



As indicated earlier, reductions in trucking rates, while immediately 

 accruing to farmers, would in time be shared by consumers. When such 

 a situation had come about, not only would farmers have retained a 

 part of the advantage of the reduced rates in price, but through some- 

 what lowered prices to consumers, would be selling increased quantities 

 of milk for consumption in fluid form (assuming that distributors' 

 spreads were not altered). 



APPENDIX 



Methods of analysis used in the study. 



Data obtained regarding truck routes included the following: 



1. Type of operator (whether by dealer, independent hauler, trans- 

 porting co-operative, and so forth) and contract made. 



2. Description of route. This included the plotting on a map of 

 the actual route taken by the truck in collecting milk and the location 

 of the stops. From the map, estimates were made of the total distance 

 traveled, of the distance between the tirst and last stop, and of that 

 traveled without making stops, and of the distance traveled on hard 

 roads and on unpaved roads. 



3. Services rendered — whether ice was furnished by the trucker and, 

 if so, when and how much ; the number of stops made at individual 

 farms and at collection points on the main road. If any additional serv- 

 ices were rendered, they were noted. 



4. The amount of milk carried by each truck in June, 1937. 



5. Description of the truck, including any other uses to which it 

 was put. 



6. The time from the truck's leaving the garage until its arrival at 

 the dealer's plant. 



7. The number of men sent on the truck. 



8. The charges made for transporting milk. Variations in charges 

 for dilt'erent producers on the same truck route and any special charges 

 made were noted. 



These data were usually obtained either from truck drivers or plant 

 ot^icials. In a few instances it proved impossible or impracticable to 

 reach either of these sources of information and these data are some- 

 times estimated or incomplete. 



Using maps upon which all producers shipping milk were located, to- 

 gether with detailed road conditions, various stages of reorganization 

 of truck routes were worked out. Upon completion of route reorganiza- 

 tions on these maps, any portions of the suggested routes which were not 

 along hard-surfaced roads were actually driven over and road conditions 

 were noted. Where the projected route traveled over a road not deemed 

 adequate for year-round travel of a 1^-ton truck, changes were made. 



