250 



X. n. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION. 



[Bulletin 141 



It should be understood that the reasons given for the in- 

 crease and the decrease in dairying are local reasons and may not 

 represent the existing conditions in the whole county. In gen- 

 eral, however, it is safe to infer from the above table that the 

 demand for milk from Boston and other large cities which also 

 has resulted in a better local market for butter, especially dairy 

 butter, is the principal reason for an increase in dairying, while 

 the high cost of grain and the scarcity of labor are the main fac- 

 tors causing a decrease, 



INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM INDIVIDUALS. 



A circular letter explaining the information asked for on an 

 enclosed return post card was sent to the 551 farmers making 

 butter whose names had been obtained thru correspondence with 

 the granges. 



Ninety-six, or 17.4 per cent, answered the questions and the 

 following information in regard to the extent of operations and 

 method of marketing was obtained: 



Number of churnings per tceek. 



4 



Churuiugs per week, 1 2 



Farmers reportiug, 23 52 



3 



10 



Uiireported 



7 



Amount of butter made per iveek. 



i 



