14 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



to them is increasing. Some of these plants are making ice 

 cream, thus handhng profitably the product offered above 

 fluid milk sales. The motto of "Essex County milk for Essex 

 County people" has increased sales and also caused other milk 

 distributors to seek a supply of near-by milk. This purchase 

 of near-by milk is on the increase generally in the eastern part 

 of the State. 



The use of milk is increasing in the various cities of the 

 State. Reports of Boston's rail supply of milk and cream show 

 an increase of 8,000,000 quarts over last year. Massachusetts 

 farmers shipped to Boston 12,569,772 quarts of milk during the 

 first ten months of 1922, which is an increase of 1,627,000 

 quarts, or 14.8 per cent, over the same period in 1921. The 

 serving of milk in the schools of the State is increasing remark- 

 ably. Several factories also have bottled milk available for 

 their employees during working hours. 



The demand for certified milk is increasing in the State. 

 Twelve farms, with approximately 1,285 cows, are supplying 

 17 cities with certified milk. This is an increase of 5 farms and 

 510 cows supplying 5 additional cities over last year's report. 

 Certified milk is offered at from 20 to 30 cents per quart, and 

 in one instance at 35 cents per quart. 



Special milks of various brands usually sell at from 1 to 8 

 cents above the regular price for bottled market milk. Their 

 use is on the increase. This. demand for special high-quality 

 milk is even greater than last year, and Massachusetts dairy- 

 men are eager to supply the demand. 



Demonstration Sheep Farms. 



The demonstration sheep farms have been of increased service 

 to the sheep raisers of the State. During the year the 6 farms 

 have had over 900 visitors, and have given to groups of in- 

 terested farmers 17 demonstrations at the farms and 22 demon- 

 strations at other farms. These have been on the copper 

 sulphate treatment for parasites, docking, castrating and ma- 

 chine shearing. The farm managers have made official visits 

 to 474 farms to give assistance and advice concerning sheep 

 husbandry. 



The shearing machines have been frequently called for, shear- 

 ing almost 1,500 sheep. One of the farms extended a special 



