532 COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE 



REPORT OF THE DAIRY DEPARTMENT. 



Fred Rasmussen. 



The following is a brief report of the work of the Dairy De- 

 partment from September 1, 1907, to November 1, 1908: 



The dairy herd, not being under the supervision of the Dairy 

 Department, the work of this department is confined principally 

 to the manufacture and marketing of dairy products. As the de- 

 partment at present is practically without facilities for doing ex- 

 perimental work, its work during the last year has been of an 

 educational, rather than experimental nature. 



DAIRY SURVEY. 



The principal object of the dairy survey is to make a study 

 of the conditions of the dairy industry in the state in order to 

 ascertain the difBculties and problems the farmer meets in the 

 production, manufacture and marketing of milk, cream and but- 

 ter. The information gathered is to be used as a guide in plan- 

 ning and carrying out experimental work, the result of which 

 would be applicable to New Hampshire conditions. 



Furthermore, a study of the existing conditions in the state 

 will be a great help in answering adequately the many letters of 

 inquiry received in regard to dairy matters, as well as to furnish 

 much timely material for lectures on dairy topics for which fre- 

 quent calls are received. 



In order to get a general idea of the conditions in different 

 sections of the state, the co-operation of the Granges was asked 

 for to the extent of giving names of farmers making butter and 

 selling cream and milk. A circular letter enclosing return pos- 

 tal was sent to 286 Granges. On May 30, 1908, 83 letters had 

 been received. June 1st a follow-up letter was sent to the 203 

 Granges from which no replies had been received, resulting in 

 60 answers. In all, 142 Granges, or, 50 per cent., answered the 

 correspondence. 



The cards received' from the Granges contained 551 names 

 of farmers making butter, 196 names of farmers selling cream 

 and 74 names of farmers keeping records of their dairy cows. 

 The card's also contained information In regard to the demand 

 for dairy butter, prices paid for same and whether there was an 

 . increase or decrease in the production of dairy products In the 



