218 APPENDIX D 



the fact that producers generally had no accurate knowledge 

 of a number of important factors affecting the cost of produc- 

 tion on their farms. 



Wide Range in Production. 1. This was particularly true in re- 

 gard to the number of pounds of milk per cow. While figures ob- 

 tained by the committee ranged from 3,500 Ibs. to 15,000 Ibs. per 

 year, it -was clear that there are many cows in New England pro- 

 ducing under 3,500 Ibs. per year. 



It is exceedingly doubtful if most of the cows in New England are 

 producing much more than 3,500 to 4,000 Ibs. per year. 



Small Percentage of Pure Breds. The evidence demonstrated that 

 while in many towns there are from 5 to 25 producers who have pure 

 bred bulls and some have pure bred cows, as a matter of fact the 

 majority do not have either; and outside of the cow test associa- 

 tions a disappointingly small per cent weigh or measure, although 

 there has been a great increase in weighing in the last three or four 

 years. 



High Percentage Without Records. Probably 80% of the farmers 

 have no accurate idea what their cows are producing each year in 

 pounds of milk, to say nothing of their test in butter-fat. 



[The rest refers to inaccurate charging of bam rent and inci- 

 dentals.] 



The lack of any standardized methods of production and 

 of accurate knowledge of costs is due, says the Committee, 

 partly to temporary, partly to permanent, causes. The 

 evidence indicated the following as the principal factors in 

 producing and continuing this condition : 



Commercial Dairying a New Industry. 1. The selling of milk and 

 cream and the commercial creamery and cheese factory are not 

 old, established industries. Fifty years ago saw the first commercial 

 cheese factory, and thirty-six years ago the first commercial cream- 

 ery. General shipping, to any great extent, of milk and cream by 

 cars began less than forty years ago. Formerly, farmers sold from 

 their farms, for their cash income, corn, oats, wheat, beef, sheep, 

 wool, eggs and poultry, home made cheese and butter, wood and 



