424 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



The Dairy Situation, 



Much is sometimes made of the fact that there is a decline 

 in the number of dairy cows in Massachusetts. That Massa- 

 chusetts is no worse off in this respect than some other States, 

 and not so badly oflf as the States immediately north of us, is 

 overlooked.^ The elimination of unprofitable dairy cows and 

 the dropping out of unsuccessful dairymen, for whatever cause, 

 as well as the inevitable reduction of the milk supply to such 

 a point as will ultimately bring the price of milk to a profit- 

 able figure, are but the natural results of an inadequate price 

 for milk. 



The decline in the number of cows is greatest in those lo- 

 calities where milk is shipped by rail to large cities for con" 

 sumption. It is, therefore, perfectly natural that nearby locali" 

 ties are first to be affected. This decline, however, does not 

 stop but goes on and on no matter how far the area of milk 

 supply is extended, and the near future will, undoubtedly, see 

 further decline, especially in northern New England and even 

 in Canada, until milk producers come to a realizing sense of 

 the great fundamental fact that milk has been too long sold 

 below cost price. Milk production will decrease until the great 

 law of supply and demand does its share of the work in rectify- 

 ing the situation. The remedy, so far as we are concerned, is 

 the education of the consumer to the food value of milk as 

 compared with other animal foods, together with the educa- 

 tion of all to the exact knowledge of the producer's position. 

 Greater economy in milk production must be practiced. Better 

 cows, more scientific feeding and improved business methods 

 are urged of the farmer. Economy in handling, especially in 

 the method of distribution, is urged of the distributor, and a 

 sense of justice and willingness to pay a fair price for milk is 

 urged of the consumer. 



1 The number of cows assessed in Massachusetts in 1905 was 181,920; in 1914, 147,209, showing 

 a decrease in ten years of 34,711 cows, or 19 per cent. 



The number of cows assessed in New Hampshire in 1905 was 113,712; in 1914, 86,438, showing 

 a decrease of 27,274, or 24 per cent. 



The number of cows assessed in Maine in 1905 was 165,216; in 1914, 130,661, showing a decrease 

 of 34,555 cows, or 20 per cent. 



In Vermont, ten years' figures are not available. Commissioner Brigham writes that the 

 falling off of milch cows and other neat stock, 1913-14, was 10,700 head, or 3 per cent. It will be 

 seen that this is at the rate of 30 per cent, for ten years. 



