21 



of best cheese has ranged from 9 cents to 12 cents per 

 pound ; and the retail price of old cheese has ranged from 

 10 cents to 20 cents, and new cheese from 10 cents to 16 

 cents per pound. 



In the census of 1885 (manufactures) the product of 

 creamery butter is given as 7,800 pounds, valued at $2,700, 

 and the amount of butter not specified as 189,545 pounds. 

 Most of the twenty-seven co-operative creameries (or butter 

 factories) now making butter were established since this 

 census was taken, and returns to this office in January last 

 from the twenty-four then in operation gave the amount of 

 butter made in 1889 as 2,193,983 pounds, yielding an 

 average price of about 26 cents per pound, or an aggregate 

 of some $570,000. 



There are also three co-operative milk associations, making 

 butter from their surplus milk ; and in 1889 it is estimated 

 that they made some 135,000 pounds. Considerable butter 

 is also made by milk contractors from surplus milk. Prob- 

 ably the amount of butter made on farms has been somewhat 

 lessened by the establishment of co operative creameries, 

 but it is impossible to state to Avhat extent. 



As illustrative of the condition of the butter market in 

 Boston during the past six months, the following compilation 

 from the market reports of the " Kew England Farmer" is 

 given : — 



May 1. — Butter market remains in good, healthy condition. 

 Arrivals of choice fresh creamery taken as fast as they arrive. 

 It is estimated that last 3'ear's business shows 50,000 tubs as au 

 actual surplus over consumption, which was the cause of the 

 great depression in the market which was so marked during Jan- 

 uary and February. The bulk of this was sold at great loss to 

 the holders. The market reporter of the "Boston Journal" 

 states that the money lost by Boston butter men during the last 

 twelve months must have been not less than $100,000. Prices 

 quoted : Wholesale. Extra creamery, 20 and 21 cents ; firsts 

 and extra firsts, 15 and 19 cents; New England dairy, 12 and 

 16 cents. Retail. Print, 28 and 30 cents ; best tub, 25 and 28 

 cents ; good tub, 15 and 18 cents. 



June 1. — For the first time this spring, butter has begun to 

 accumulate this week, which makes the market very weak and 

 shaky. The quality of the butter coming in is improving. Prices 

 quoted: Wholesale. Extra creamery, 15 and 16 cents; firsts 



