No. 123.1 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 29 



The Milk Situation. 



From figures available at this writing it is evident that not 

 only the number of dairy cows in Massachusetts has increased 

 during the year, but also the amount of milk consumed. This 

 is proof that the dairy situation has improved. 



A remarkable combination of circumstances has contributed 

 to this result. McCollum's discovery of the growth-promoting 

 substance in the fat of milk, which he calls Fat Soluble A until 

 such time as chemical analysis can provide a more appropriate 

 name, has been universally heralded. The dissemination of 

 hundreds of thousands of circulars and leaflets relating to food 

 value of milk and milk products, written by Mr. Harwood and 

 published by this Department, has been no small factor locally. 

 Much credit should also be given to the Federal Food Adminis- 

 tration and the demonstration agents of the agricultural college 

 and farm bureaus for distributing this and other similar litera- 

 ture during the year, all of which has helped to shape the public 

 mind to the importance and economy of using more milk. 



The price of milk, fixed from time to time by the Regional 

 Milk Board, the care of the surplus, and the work of the Milk 

 Administrator, Dr. Gilbert, are mainly responsible for the fact 

 that for the first time milk has been produced in a large way 

 for cost, plus a reasonable profit. The farmers are also learning 

 the advantage of co-operation from their membership in the 

 New England Milk Producers' Association, of which Richard 

 Pattee is secretary. 



Dairy farmers all over the State, particularly in the western 

 and central sections, should raise more heifer calves from the 

 best stock available, and no calves should be raised from other 

 than the best of pure-bred bulls and either high producing 

 grade or high producing pure bred cows. By adhering to this 

 method the milk-producing machinery of the dairy cows can 

 be greatly improved. The grade heifer contest, started by this 

 Department this year, should be continued as encouragement 

 to the practical dairyman to engage in raising his own cows. 

 The clean milking contest should also be continued as an in- 

 centive to young people to excel in this work upon our dairy 

 farms. 



