June, 1941] Local Structure of Milk Prices 7 



history, but rather is designed to provide background information for 

 study of present conditions. 



Froduction 



The number of dairy cows in New Hampshire in 1940 is not greatly 

 different from that reported in 1867. (Fig. 1, Table I). After increasing 

 irregularly to a peak in 1904 of 125 thousand, cow numbers then com- 

 menced to decline until a low point of 75 thousand was reached in 1928. 

 During the past decade cow numbers have averaged 82 thousand. 



Production estimates are much less reliable than are estimates of cow 

 numbers. Except for census figures there are no continuous series before 

 1929. Production in recent years is shown in Table II. The census 

 figures, though erratic, go back to 1889 and are presented in Table III. 



Markets 



While changes in cow numbers and volume of production have been 



Table I. New Hampshire — Number of Milk Cows in Thousands on Farms 



January 1, 1867 — 1940 



