244 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Local Milk Inspectors. 

 During the last few years a large number of local milk in- 

 spectors with splendidly equipped laboratories have been es- 

 tablished in the various cities and towns in this Commonwealth. 

 They are appointed by and are under the control of local boards 

 of health. The character and ability of these men is noteworthy, 

 and the work they are doing is highly creditable to the State. 

 A complete list of these inspectors may be found in another part 

 of this report. 



Oleomargarine. 



The number of retail oleomargarine licenses in force in this 

 State November, 1911, was 459, while in 1912 it was 846, 

 showing an increase of 387. Oleomargarine receipts in Boston, 

 as reported by the Chamber of Commerce in 1911, was 104,685 

 packages, while in 1912 it was 140,040, showing an increase of 

 35,355 packages. Oleomargarine produced in the United States 

 in 1911 was 121,162,795 pounds, while in 1912 it was 128,601,053 

 pounds, showing an increase of 7,438,258 pounds. This increase 

 in the manufacture and sale of oleomargarine is probably due to 

 the high price of butter which has prevailed throughout the year. 



So far as our agents have been able to discover no attempts 

 to sell artificially colored oleomargarine have been made. 

 For further details see tables on page 248. 



Renovated Butter. 

 In 1911 there were 39,292,591 pounds of renovated butter 

 produced in the United States, while ifi 1912 there were 46,- 

 387,398 pounds, showing an increase of 7,094,807 in twelve 

 months, an increase also due to the prevailing high price of 

 butter. See table on page 249. 



Butter. 

 The annual statement of the Chamber of Commerce shows 

 an increase in the consumption of butter during 1912 of but 

 398,597 pounds, figures much below the average increase and 

 due undoubtedly to the average wholesale price of 31.2 cents 

 per pound, the highest on record by at least 1 cent per pound. 

 Details will be found in tables on pages 249-250. 



