THE MILK SUPPLY OF CHICAGO 
A. L. Amorr 
Source oF SUPPLY 
The city of Chicago is very fortunately situated in that it 
is located in the heart of one of the most fertile agricultural 
sections in the United States. No other large city is so favor- 
ably situated, with the exception, perhaps, of Milwaukee, 
where almost identical conditions prevail. 
As the city grows and expands,-we find the dairy district 
gradually moving farther from the city limits, to make room 
for new subdivisions, suburban towns, and to a great extent, 
truck gardens. 
During the years 1907 to 1911, 90% of the milk reaching 
Chicago was produced within 56 miles of the city. Since that 
time the milk zone proper has moved out about 25 miles. 
This has reference to the regular supply in normal times. 
In case of a shortage in the Chicago milk zone, due to un- 
usual or abnormal conditions, it quite often becomes necessary 
to go considerably farther, as is the case at the present time, 
when a small percentage of milk and cream is brought in a 
distance of 275 miles. 
The accompanying map is designed to show the growth 
and expansion of the milk territory within recent years. Line 
No. 1 shows the Chicago milk district up to 1915, as authorized 
and inspected by the Chicago Health Department. Line No. 
2 represents the district from 1915 to 1917, which was also 
inspected by the Health Department. The district ineluded 
between Lines 2 and 8 is not inspected by the Health Depart- 
ment, although considerable milk is shipped into the city 
from this territory. 
In spite of the abnormal conditions prevailing at the present 
time, brought on by the war, Chicago is the only large city 
