4 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 291 



bers, packed in an iced container and sent to the dairy laboratory in Durham 

 for the bacterial analysis. Carbon copies of the bacteria counts obtained 

 from the samples were given to each producer. The results of the checking 

 were carefully reviewed with him. In this way many of the factors were 

 eliminated which had caused the loss of premiums in the past. This check- 

 ing of individual producers was made during fall and winter monthsas 

 well as during the summer. An effort was made to obtain the cooperation 

 of the best producers who seldom had trouble in producing high quality 

 milk for comparison with those who had experienced difficulty. Through 

 the cooperation of officials of H. P. Hood and Company, records were made 

 available for each Grade A producer showing on a 15-day basis during the 

 years 1931, 1932, and 1933, the pounds of milk shipped, price and premiums 

 paid per cwt. and deductions and net amount paid the producer. They sup- 

 plied copies of the scores of the Boston Board of Health for the Grade A 

 producers at Pattee as well as other statistical information showing the per- 

 centage of the producers who received first, second, and third premiums in 

 comparison with their three other Grade A stations. 



I 

 History of Region and Station 



The Pattee receiving station, which was selected for the basis of this , 

 study, was built in 1924 and given Grade A rating soon afterwards. Milk \ 

 was shipped in cans to Boston until 1929. Since then a tank car equipped 

 with A and B tanks has been used. 



The principal reason given by the authorities for selecting Pattee as 

 a Grade A station is that milk of high quality had always been shipped from 

 this area. This statement was also verified by the producers. Many stated 

 that they were following about the same practices in caring for the milk now 

 that they did before they were paid Grade A premiums. 



Capacity of the station with present equipment is 40,000 pounds daily, 

 which is considerably less than the total capacity of a tank car. About the 

 same amount of milk is received now as ten years ago. The daily average 

 of milk shipped during the year is over 18,000 pounds of Grade A and about 

 10,000 pounds of Grade B. 



Milk is trucked to' the Pattee Station from approximately 40 miles. 

 There are five large trucks carrying it from the more distant sections. The 

 longest route extends as far west as Strafford, Vermont. The majority of 

 the producers living within one or two miles of the station do their own 

 trucking. In a few instances neighbors take turns carrying the milk. 



Samples were usually taken by the company twice a week from one can 

 as the milk was emptied into the weighing tank. These samples were packed 

 in ice and shipped to the laboratory in Boston. A report of the bacteria counts 

 for each producer's samples was sent out from the Boston office at the end 

 of each 15-day pay period. Each man compared his record with his neigh- 

 bor's. During the 15-day pay period the manager of the station received 

 reports on each set of samples a few hours after they were available. If the 

 shippers had one or more high counts he immediately visited them and helped 

 to locate and to correct the trouble. In this way the quality of the milk was 

 maintained, and the farmer did not lose his Grade A premiums. 



Sediments tests were run periodically on the milk of all producers. The 

 disc showing the amount of sediment was graded as "good," "fair" or 

 "dirty" and was returned to each producer. 



