34 THE MILK SITUATION IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 



in his meat, or the poultry dealer for his eggs, the price of milk would 

 be immensely higher and dairy farming would probably soon result 

 in the accumulation of swollen fortunes. It is a significant fact, 

 however, that although the prices for beef and other commodities 

 are arbitrarily advanced from time to time without serious, active 

 opposition on the part of the consumer, there is a concerted protest 

 of the most vigorous nature when endeavor is made to increase the 

 price of milk a single cent per quart, and that, even, at the season of 

 the year when it is generally admitted that the farmer is put to extra 

 expense in supplying silage, hay, and other feed not demanded in the 

 warmer months, when pasturing is almost exclusively depended upon. 

 It is of interest to note in this connection that a quart of milk sup- 

 plies practically as much of both protein and energy as three-quarters 

 of a pound of beef of average composition or eight average eggs. 

 When we compare the price of milk with the prevailing prices of beef 

 and eggs, the cheapness of milk as a food may therefore readily be 

 recognized. It may be said even in favor of skim milk that so far 

 as its nutritive value is concerned it is a trifle more potent, volume for 

 volume, than whole milk. As a wholesome and nutritious food but- 

 termilk is also valuable, since it has 3 per cent of proteids, and a 

 quart contains one-quarter as much proteid as a man needs in a day, 

 even when the most liberal estimate of his requirements is considered. 



IMPROVEMENT IN SANITARY DAIRY CONDITIONS. 



In all sections of the country great improvement is being made in 

 dairy conditions, resulting from the agitation of the necessity for a 

 cleaner and safer milk supply, and the public is gradually awaken- 

 ing to the extreme importance of insuring that the milk furnished 

 for consumption by the community shall be initially as free from 

 contamination as possible and so handled as to reduce to the utmost 

 minimum, so far as compatible with economic considerations, the 



Eossibility of subsequent infection from this abundant factor in its 

 Qod supply. 



It should be borne in min.d that the meeting of these requirements 

 for safeguarding the public health necessarily entails an additional 

 expenditure all along the line, and especially at the point of produc- 

 tion, and it would not be dealing fairly with the producer if some 

 adequately increased compensation were not received by him in reim- 

 bursement for this necessary additional outlay. The committee is 

 inclined to the opinion that the dairy farmer has, on the whole, been 

 receiving a smaller price for his output of milk than is proportion- 

 ately due him, and it is recommended that steps be taken with a view 

 to readjusting existing conditions so as to effect a more adequate 

 lemuneration for the important services rendered by him to the 

 community. 



UNWHOLESOMENESS OF CITY MARKET MILK. 



In order to correctly convey to the public mind the unusual amount 

 of contamination in milk ordinarily produced for the market, it may 

 be stated that nearly every city throughout the world has to contend 

 with the problem of dirty milk. According- to some authorities the 

 residents of Berlin consume 300 pounds of cow dung in their milk 

 ^ and the inhabitants of New York City consume half a ton of 



