386 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



advance of 2 cents per 8^ quart can over the usual summer 

 price for the six-months period from April 1 to October 1. 

 This applied to 4,G33,000 cans sold and 116,000 cans of sur- 

 plus, and therefore meant an increased income to the farmers 

 of $95,000. The amount came out of the middlemen, as no 

 increase of retail price to consumers was made. In October 

 the price for the winter six months was advanced 4 cents per 

 can over the hitherto prevailing winter prices. This advance 

 was so much that the dealers attempted to get it back by 

 advancing the retail price. The movement resulted in such 

 a remonstrance that the attempt was abandoned. Conse- 

 quently the Milk Producers Union and the contractors agreed 

 to the dropping of one-half of this advance January 1. This 

 is the first time in the history of the business that there has 

 been a change in the price during a six-months period. 



The following table gives the receipts, sales and surplus 

 of railroad milk, in 8^^ quart cans, brought into the greater 

 Boston, as reported by the contractors' association : — 



