Il8 CHEESE AND CHEESE-MAKING 



dition of the milk sent us we have no guarantee 

 whatever. Contagious diseases abound on the 

 Continent, and farm workmen who have 

 suffered from these diseases may be employed 

 as milkers before they are fit for the work, 

 while the fact that many of the cattle are 

 diseased is sufficient to show that there is 

 real danger in the consumption of imported 

 milk which has not been sterilized before it 

 is delivered to the consumer. We have re- 

 marked that home competition is intensified. 

 The result is that prices have fallen to a 

 figure which is without precedent, which means 

 that unless dairy farmers combine to protect 

 their own interests, prices will fall still further 

 until no margin of profit remains. Nor is a 

 reduction of price brought about by the action 

 of the consumer, who in our experience has 

 never sounded one note of complaint in this 

 direction. It is owing to competition between 

 the various competitors in the milk trade, so 

 many of whom have striven to retain the retail 

 price of milk and to pay the farmer, as they 

 were accustomed to pay, such a sum as will 

 enable him to conduct his business with success. 



