No. 4.] CLEAN MILK PRODUCTION. 115 



THE ENCOURAGEME^^T OF CLEAN MILK PRODUCTION. 



L. B. COOK, MILK SPECIALIST, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OP AGRICUL- 

 TURE, WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OP COLUMBIA. 



If the dairy farmers of this coimtry were asked this ques- 

 tion, " What can be done to encourage the production of clean 

 milk ? " I am sure that nearly all would answer, " Secure 

 better prices and markets for our product." Therefore, the 

 conditions as they exist to-day are these: many dairymen do 

 not receive enough for their product to warrant any extensive 

 changes or outlay, and many dairymen who are paying no par- 

 ticular attention to better milk are receiving the same price for 

 their milk as those who are trying to market a clean, safe prod- 

 uct. This state of affairs, one can readily see, does not en- 

 courage clean milk production ; however, we must work with 

 the facts as they are. If we expect the farmers to produce 

 better milk, we must assist them to receive a reasonable profit 

 for their labor. 



In some sections of this country, dairymen state that the price 

 received for milk is not sufficient to warrant their staying in 

 the business. If it were not for the value the cows are to the 

 farm, more dairymen would stop milking them, and take up 

 some other line of agriculture. The question of prices and 

 profit is a problem which we must meet, but one which cannot 

 be quickly solved. While we are adjusting this problem, we 

 must meet the conditions as they exist with many dairymen, 

 and encourage them to the possibilities that are now before 

 them. 



The United States census shows that the number of dairy 

 cows per 100 population is slightly decreasing; probably part 

 of this loss is covered by the increased production. The price 

 of milk during a period of years has been increasing slightly, 

 but nothing in proportion to the rise of prices for other food- 



