20 University of New Hampshire [Sta. Bui. 330 



paid directly by the farmer in the form of a deduction from his check. 

 The $300,000 a year now being paid by New Hampshire farmers for 

 transportation of milk to country stations and city plants may be 

 reduced by a lowering of charges on routes where they are above 

 the competitive levels, and by a reorganization of the routes and 

 milksheds. No attempts were made in the study to estimate the size 

 of the possible reduction in trucking charges if truck rates were ad- 

 justed to competitive levels, but all evidence indicated that it would 

 be substantial. The reorganization of routes as presented by Mr. 

 MacLeod indicates that savings through this method might amount 

 to from $30,000 to $35,000 a year, or about $39 to $45 a year for each 

 farm. 



A further phase of the New Hampshire study of the supply and 

 distribution of milk was completed in 1940. This phase is concerned 

 with price relationship on the supply side of certain New Hampshire 

 markets. Prices were secured and analyzed for areas where milk- 

 sheds overlap and two or more markets compete for the available 

 milk. It was found that substantial variation in the prices paid for 

 milk in such competing areas may exist for long periods and yet there 

 may be very little shifting by farmers from one outlet to another. 

 The reasons for this immobility of farmers are numerous and diverse. 

 Ignorance of better prices, loyalty, and inability to get into better 

 markets are among the chief reasons attributed to the stability of 

 producers in such areas. 



Work has begun on the distributive and consumer's side of the 

 market. Factors affecting the amount of milk consumed by selected 

 groups in Manchester have been studied, and the effects of price 

 changes in some of the markets are being observed. 



(Bankhead-J ones Fund) 



AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING 



The Design of Small Potato Storages for Farm Use (W. T. Acker- 

 man) 



The data accumulated in 1939 and 1940 from the tests of condi- 

 tioning in five potato storages have been analyzed to determine meth- 

 ods of controlling (1) temperature, humidity, and condensation; (2) 

 rapid decay or deterioration of structural parts of the storages ; and 

 (3) possible improvements in heat-generating equipment and vise of 

 insulation. Weaknesses in the five storages which were observed 

 during 1939 have been changed, and observations are being made 

 under the improved conditions. Heat requirements have, in particu- 

 lar, been cut clown on some of these storages. It is planned that both 

 costs and advantages of building various types of improved storages 

 will be analyzed. 



{Purnell Fund) 



Dehydration and Processing of Medicinal Herbs (W. T. Ackerman) 



Investigations and experimental work in the dehydration and 

 processing of medicinal herbs began in July, 1940. A drier of the 



