254 THE MILK QUESTION 



It is both an economic arrangement and a sanitary ad- 

 vantage. 



The advantages of concentration are so very important 

 that they deserve a special word. If the milk is handled 

 for a large city by a few corporations it at once does away 

 with the necessity of municipal milk depots. One of the 

 first advantages is that a strict official surveillance may 

 be kept over a few plants, while it is almost impossible to 

 administer health ordinances in a satisfactory manner 

 where thousands of small independent dealers are con- 

 cerned. Thus in the case of Boston, three milk inspectors, 

 one for each of the three large contracting firms, could 

 accomplish infinitely more than thirty inspectors over- 

 looking many small plants. The large contractors can 

 afford to buy expensive bottle-washing machines, steriliz- 

 ers, pasteurizers, mechanical filters, and, further, can 

 better afford to replace antiquated machinery by improved 

 methods than the small dealer. The supervision and con- 

 trol of pasteurization can be accomplished much more 

 satisfactorily in large plants than in small. The washing 

 and sterilizing of the bottles is, as a rule, more effective in 

 a large establishment than in a small dairy. It is much 

 easier to grade milk according to certain definite standards 

 where it is all brought together. The large dairyman can 

 afford to employ high-class and competent assistants, 

 beyond the reach of the small producer. Further, consoli- 

 dation is an economic advantage both to the middleman 

 and to the health authorities. When it comes to distribu- 

 tion there is a distinct gain, for one wagon and driver can 

 cover the ground of several wagons and drivers from inde- 

 pendent sources. 



One of the special advantages in the consolidation of the 

 industry in large dairies is that the fluctuating demand for 

 milk may readily be met. The large dairy may have an 

 elastic supply for the reason that it may make profitable 

 use of the excess. It is difficult for the small dealer to find an 



