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crowding of creameries is continually increasing the per cent, 

 of expense. 



One of the growing drawbacks to the creamery is the great 

 number of the would-be gatherers who are frequently paid a 

 stipulated amount per pound of butter gathered. These men by 

 getting constantly in contact with the patrons will ingratiate 

 themselves into their good graces and shortly claim an owner- 

 ship of the route and dictate terms to and for the factory. New 

 routes are thus frequently started in territory lying nearly equal 

 distances from two or more factories, and usually among dissat- 

 ified patrons when terms are made with the factory that offers 

 the best inducements or largest pay. These routes are gener- 

 ally kept up for a short time only and disappoint patrons who 

 become disgusted with the system of gathering cream. Patrons 

 in such divided territory showing a preference first for one fac- 

 tory then for another have an influence upon friends and rela- 

 tives living contiguous to other factories, induce them to change 

 thus breaking up other routes and cause useless travel. I have now 

 in mind a certain road that is being traveled by teams belonging 

 to three factories, causing a travel of thirty miles where ten 

 miles should suffice. Gatherers contesting for territory and 

 patronage are not known to refuse cream in bad condition. 

 Quality is lost sight of. Quantity their aim. 



Permit me to state as an axiom, that there is no permanent 

 profit in the manufacture of a poor article, and especially is this 

 true of the food products, and to none of these does it more 

 forcibly apply than to the products of the dairy. The American 

 people are worthy of and desire the best article in our line, and 

 are willing and able to pay a price that affords a profit for its 

 production, and knowing these facts, it is to be hoped that we 

 may benefit by past experience and hasten the day when we can 

 agree upon such a division of territory and patronage that will 

 enable us to pay better prices, curtail wasteful expenses and 

 increase our profit. 



We should be induced by a knowledge of these facts (if not 

 goaded to it by our meagre profits, present losses) to have our 



