26 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



presented, and finally established in the minds of all the 

 people. In the light of actual facts properly presented, and 

 positive information regarding the sources of profit and loss 

 in farming and in milk production, misinformation, distrust, 

 prejudice, and general dissatisfaction must of necessity 

 eventually disappear, and a more intelligent, intensive and 

 profitable agriculture gradually become established in N^ew 

 England. Until the milk producers of ISTew England are 

 able to present positive, definite information regarding the 

 cost of milk production with a fairly well-managed herd, 

 their arguments for an increased price, however deserving, 

 eloquent or just, will, to a certain extent, lack the strength 

 that carries full conviction. But just so soon as the produc- 

 ers and dealers can clear]}) show a good and legitimate reason 

 why milk should and must be sold at a higher price to the 

 city consumer, just so soon will the city consumers pay that 

 price. 



Collection, Handling and Delivery of Milk. 



If I am correctly informed, the city of Boston had grown 

 so large in the year 1845 as to attract the attention of a ISTew 

 Hampshire farmer as a desirable market, and at that time the 

 first use of steam railroads in shipping milk to the city was 

 made. Finding a profitable market for his product beyond the 

 capacity of his farm, he later bought milk from his neighbors 

 to sell to the neighbors of his city customers. And so the 

 plan for supplying Boston with milk has been carried on, 

 enlarged, and developed by this man and by others for a 

 period of sixty-seven years. As the demands of Boston milk 

 consumers and those of other nearby cities increased, so also 

 has the number of farms supplying Boston with milk. Those 

 in authority tell us that at present within a ra-dius of about 

 270 miles of Boston, there are about 7,000 farms, located in 

 I^ew England and ISTew York, that regularly contribute 

 to the general milk supply. It would seem that the terri- 

 tory from which Boston's milk supply can best be secured 

 is now pretty fully covered by the various milk contractors, 

 and that instead of reachinG; out into other and more distant 



