FROM FARM TO CONSUMER 259 



took place so far as the milk problem is concerned. The 

 suburban land became too valuable for dairying purposes, 

 the farms were pushed farther and farther away from the 

 centres of population. Improved means of transportation 

 greatly facilitated this separation; but this separation in- 

 creased the difficulties and complexities of the problem. 

 The milk is no longer brought directly to the city. It passes 

 through a number of hands. It is exposed to adverse con- 

 ditions. The common carriers help to muddle the question. 

 The middleman adds his difficulties and profits. The milk 

 is mixed in large quantities, to add to the danger when 

 infection is present. Finally, the milk is no longer fresh, 

 and other difficulties arise, so that we are confronted with 

 a perplexing and often serious situation. 



When the producer and consumer were near neighbors 

 and closely acquainted with each other, the one had a per- 

 sonal interest in the product he furnished the other. If the 

 product, be it meat, milk, or what-not, caused sickness or 

 death, there was a direct appeal to the producer; but the 

 separation between the two has lulled the conscience of the 

 producer. He no longer sees the results of his acts, and is 

 skeptical concerning their dire consequences. Frequently 

 the producer cannot be made to believe that he is respons- 

 ible for the tragedies which sometimes result. The inter- 

 vening distance, time, and circumstances help to strengthen 

 the immunity of the producer in his own opinion. He is 

 very apt to claim that the infection was introduced or the 

 poison developed after the product left his hands. The 

 fact that the personal contact between producer and con- 

 sumer has largely been eliminated makes of the transac- 

 tion in foodstuffs an impersonal business, like the trade in 

 iron, cotton, or cement. It is human nature to concern 

 ourselves more about the things we make for our friends 

 and neighbors, whom we know, and see frequently, than 

 it is for some far-off foreigner. This phase of the situation 

 nourishes the tap-root of many of the difficulties found, not 



