2 BULLETIN 955, U. S. DEPAKTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



western Washington (Department Bulletin 919), and Vermont (De- 

 partment Bulletin 923). This bulletin deals with the conditions in 

 the vicinity of New Orleans, La. The work was organized among a 

 group of 17 dairymen living in Tangipahoa Parish, La,, in March, 

 1918. The specialist of the department made monthly visits to each 

 farm for two years, imtil April, 1920. This locality was selected 

 because the farms are typical of conditions found in that section and 

 the milk is shipped to a large city market. New Orleans. 



Although the figures obtained show what was required to produce 

 market milk under the system of dairy management found in the 

 section studied, and probably approximate the requirements in similar 

 sections, they, of course, do not apply to dair3dng in other sections, 

 where other conditions and methods of management prevail. The 

 dairies were subject to the inspection system controlling the sanitary 

 conditions under which milk could be shipped and sold in the New 

 Orleans market. The cost of production would have been somewhat 

 different if either higher or lower grades of milk had been produced. 



The results have been reported separately for the winter and sum- 

 mer seasons because the season of the year may have a marked influ- 

 ence on the principal factors of cost. Summer conditions prevail from 

 April to September, inclusive, and winter conditions from October to 

 March, inclusive. This division of time was used in reporting the 

 results for the winter and summer seasons. 



The various tables are based upon figures obtained during the two- 

 year study and the weighted averages of these records were used 

 whenever they would express the results more accurately. The 

 weighted average was obtained by giving each item a different weight 

 m the average according to its relative importance. 



METHODS OF OBTAINING DATA. 



The figures reported are based on actual records obtained by regular 

 monthly full-day visits to 14 farms for two years and to 8 other 

 farms for one year. 



At the beginning and the end of each year the field agent took an 

 inventory of the dairy buildings, livestock, and equipment used in 

 the care of the herd and its products. On his regular monthly visit 

 at each farm the agent, with watch in hand, noted and recorded the 

 exact minute each labor operation in the dairy was begun and ended. 

 An equally careful record was obtained of the kind, description, 

 quantity, and cost of each feed used, the quantity of nfilk sold that 

 month, and the amount received for it. In addition, the milk used 

 by the proprietor and his help or fed to calves was measured or 

 weighed on the monthly visit and used as a basis for determining the 

 quantity kept on the farm during the month. 



