BULLETIN OF THE 
No. 177 
Contribution from the Bureau of Crop Estimates, L. M. Estabrook, Chief, i 
February 15, 1915. 
THE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF DAIRY 
PRODUCTS. 
By Eugene Merritt. 
INTRODUCTION. 
The changes in the geographic distribution of the population, in the 
centers of agricultural production, and in the methods of transpor- 
tation have had marked influence on the localization of the dairy 
industry. In early days the dairyman supplied demands within a 
restricted area, but the development of railroads and refrigeration 
has had considerable effect on the character of the dairy industry and 
its localization. As a part of the agriculture of our country, dairying 
has had to compete with other types of farming. Since the products 
of the dairy may be consumed in the form of milk, butter, or cheese, 
there is a competition among them as to what form the consumption 
will take. It is the purpose of this bulletin to call attention to the 
influence of the various factors mentioned above. 
PRODUCTION OF DAIRY PRODUCTS. 
THE GENERAL SITUATION. 
In the last 40 years great changes have taken place in population, 
in agriculture, and in the various phases of the dairy industry of 
the United States. In 1870 the total population of the United States 
was 38,600,000. By 1900 it had nearly doubled and by 1910 lacked 
a little of being 92,000,000. The number of dairy cows had increased 
from 9,000,000 in 1870 to nearly 21,000,000 in 1910. The rate of 
increase for improved land was even greater than that of the popula- 
tion or the dairy cows; in 1870 there were 190,000,000 acres, and in 
1910, 480,000,000. The increase in the total butter production had 
been even more marked, from 514,000,000 in 1870 to nearly three 
times that amount, or approximately 1,620,000,000 pounds, in 1910. 
Cheese production, however, did not even double; the increase was 
from 163,000,000 to 321,000,000 pounds. There have been marked 
variations in the rates of increase and the relative importance of the 
Note.— This bulletin outlines the changes in the geographic distribution of the dairy industry and gives 
information concerning the consumpticn of dairy products on farms and in cities. It is of special interest to 
those engaged in any phase of dairying or in the distribution of dairy products. 
73149°— Bull. 177—1.5 1 
