No. 4.] CLEAN MILK PRODUCTION. 117 



hardly see how the dairyman can expect the consumer to pay 

 for such losses ; yet that is really what he wants when he allows 

 these conditions to exist, and cries for better prices. 



!N^ow, why is it that these unprofitable practices are con- 

 tinuing? One reason is that no one has told the farmers dif- 

 ferently, and here is a real opportunity for the milk inspectors 

 of this country. The inspector should act as an educator to 

 these farmers, and assist them to see their mistakes. I am 

 afraid we inspectors do not spend time enough on the farms 

 and with the farmers, but try to cover too many places in a day. 



Dairymen must be shown the value of keeping books. ISTo 

 business firm, with capital equal to the value of a farm, would 

 think of conducting its business without books. Dairymen 

 must know where their losses and gains are, otherwise, at the 

 end of the year, they will not know definitely whether they have 

 gained or lost. In nearly all hearings on the cost of milk pro- 

 duction, the farmers have been hampered by lack of definite 

 figures. It is not sufiicient merely to say, " Milk costs me more 

 to produce than I get for it." Until dairymen realize this fact, 

 I believe they are going to be hampered in their fight for better 

 prices. 



On the other hand, we should encourage the producer by 

 trying to educate the consumer to the value of milk. During 

 these times of high cost of living, it is very opportune that con- 

 sumers appreciate the food and economic value of milk. 1 

 believe that most people should use more milk, and that many 

 do not realize its cheapness as a food, even if it costs 10 cents 

 a quart. It is surprising how quickly consumers are ready to 

 stop using milk, when there is a rise of 1 cent a quart, yet make 

 little complaint when beefsteak rises several cents a pound. 

 Also, they must be educated to the fact that clean, safe milk 

 costs more to produce and therefore they should expect to pay 

 more. Until consumers are willing to pay a reasonable price 

 for milk, and appreciate quality, it is a question in my mind 

 whether the farmers' prices can be increased, and the inspectors 

 accomplish the results they would like. 



Milk inspectors in their work must bear in mind that city 

 consumers need and must have milk ; therefore their work 

 among the dairymen should be constructive and not destructive. 



