The RURAL NEW-YORKER 
381 
A Canful of Milk Notes 
Milk Legislation at Albany 
The bills introduced in Albany, both by city and 
country members, indicate the confusion of mind on 
the milk problem of the New York producing dis¬ 
trict. Both lines of bills are impossible from the 
producers’ point of view and interest, but it is quite 
natural that the consumers of the cities should seek 
some form of relief from the exactions of the milk 
trust, and their only present source of relief seems 
to be the Legislature. The practical means of relief 
for them is apparent, but the milk trust interests 
are in the way, and no one in authority seems will¬ 
ing to apply the remedy that will cut the dealers’ 
profits, or correct their extravagant system of dis¬ 
tribution. We must oppose all these bills, but we 
do not feel disposed to abuse consumers for encourag¬ 
ing legislation that even promises them relief. The 
truth is the reduction of the cost of distribution is 
as much to the ultimate interest of the producer as 
to the consumer. In the past producer and con¬ 
sumer suffered alike. Now that the producer has 
made some show of self-protection, the extra weight 
has been thrown on the shoulders of the consumers. 
They will not bear it indefinitely. They are turning 
to price-fixing by commissions or exclusive control of 
city distribution. These are dangerous measures for 
producers. They may he an improvement on the 
past, but they shut off the promising opportunity 
producers now have to develop wholesale distribu¬ 
tion for themselves. How long this opportunity will 
remain open no one can say: but there is no venture 
in the assertion that there is danger to the producing 
industry every day that the development of this out¬ 
let is neglected. 
A Call for Heavy Cream 
We have this inquiry from a prominent hotel: 
We would like to buy an extra heavy natural cream 
direct from the farmer. It must he grade A unpas¬ 
teurized. We could take a fixed amount per week in 
regular shipments, and are willing to pay well for the 
right product. Can you put us in communication with 
a reliable producer? Amount needed per week would 
be about NO quarts, 45 per cent butter fat. two ship¬ 
ments weekly. 
We would be pleased to make the connection for a 
responsible producer equipped to fill the order. 
some of the co-operative creameries during the past 
year or more. We believe that the League should 
assume responsibility for the sale of all the milk, and 
sell the co-operative creamery milk at the same time 
it sells the other milk, making proper adjustment in 
price for pasteurizing and shipping. Every member 
and every community should be treated alike, When 
we advocated the building of farm-owned creameries 
we expected this •would be the policy, and it was 
done when the State Department made the first sale. 
Any other policy is an injustice to the neglected 
members, and we believe that equal justice should 
be extended to every member and every community. 
Go Ahead and Organize 
I am of the same view as the Herkimer County dairy¬ 
man. It’s a fact that the average year’s milk costs just 
so much during the Winter time, regardless of how the 
months are spelled, and if there is any difference the 
latter part of the Winter is harder on cattle, and it costs 
just as much if not more to produce a quart of milk 
late as early in the Winter. 
The cold weather made it possible for dealers to bring 
milk long distances during the strike, and nothing was 
said about its quality, so that milk could be made to 
go farther than in warm weather. The League fur¬ 
nished some milk, which only made matters worse. So 
that altogether the dealers took the opportune time to 
bring about a strike. 
Perhaps the League was not wholly at fault, as they 
were not quite prepared for it; also the membership 
was not so strong at the time the strike started. It 
has increased since, by leaps and bounds, and is still 
increasing. So it has won something; yes, a whole lot. 
If the price is not cut too low in the Summer that will 
make up for the Winter. The range between Winter 
and Summer prices has been too wide. But the League 
owns itself, and we need not follow what was done 
under boss rule, but look ahead, make our own rules 
and let the past go to the dogs. SOUTHerx tier. 
Steuben County, N. Y. 
The dairyman from New Jersey has the situation 
correct. I do not see how any fair-minded man can 
approve anything so unfair as benefits for some members 
at the expense of other members. There is no doubt in 
my mind that organization is the thing for milk pro¬ 
ducers. but the benefits must be for all or none. To ray 
mind loyalty does not consist of blind approval of ail 
we hear and all we see. but rather in insisting on the 
correction of abuses and mistakes to the end that our 
structure may endure. g. T. 
Pennsylvania. 
A Practical Pasteurizing Outfit 
Improvement in processes for the pasteurization 
of milk have made such little progress there is sus¬ 
picion that improved methods may have been dis¬ 
couraged by the big milk dealers. Milk is largely 
pasteurized in bulk, and the processes in the past at 
least have been controlled by influences close to the 
city board of health. The Van Aernam process for 
milk pasteurization gets away from the bulk system 
and pasteurizes in cans or in bottles. It is used ex¬ 
clusively in the city of Buffalo, and in some smaller 
cities, but it lias not found favor in New York City. 
Its general use would enable the small dealer or the 
farmer to pasteurize his own milk and break the 
monopoly held so long by the big dealer. The initial 
expense is comparatively little, and it is made in 
small sizes as well as large, so that a dealer or pro¬ 
ducer with a half dozen cans could pasteurize liis 
own milk either in glass bottles or in the ordinary 
milk can. The process is very simple. The heat is 
applied by steam jets. In the smaller implements 
the steam may be generated on the top of an ordinary 
stove or by a separate gas or oil burner. 
The process may also be used to sterilize and pre¬ 
serve fruit juices, including cider, and also to pre¬ 
serve fruits. The process appeals to us as having 
great possibilities for development. 
Selling Milk from Co-operative Creameries 
Our creamery had a contract for our milk with a 
New York dealer, but during the strike a person came 
here and stopped the milk, and aft r the strike was 
ended, the dealer refused t<> receive the milk again. We 
have sent committees to New York, but they failed to 
find a sale. Now you have always advocated farm- 
owned creameries and pasteurizers. We have the 
creamery and pasteurizer, but we cannot sell our milk. 
We pay dues to the League. Why does it not sell our 
milk? Is not that what if is for? 
We lmvo considerable money invested in this plant, 
and our milk has been home for three weeks. Our 
farmers have lost thousands of dollars. There is no 
strike, but simply because we cannot find a market for 
the milk. Could you locate a market or find a dealer 
who would handle it, rent the creamery or Lelp us out 
in some way? subscriber. 
New Pnltz, N. Y. 
Being under contract, the delivery of this milk 
should not have been interrupted. Other milk under 
contract and some without contract was delivered 
regularly. 
We have always advocated farm-owned cream¬ 
eries to pasteurize and ship milk because we be¬ 
lieve they are essential to the dairy industry, and 
the backbone of the League, but we hardly need say 
that we have not approved the policy adopted for 
The Coming Wheat Crop 
Mr. Julius H. Barnes, president of the U. 8. Grain 
Corporation, has given to Congress his views on the 
wheat situation. Mr. Barnes says the crop of 191S 
works out about as follows: 
Bushels 
Total crop . 918.000.000 
Deduct for seed. 100.000.000 
Estimated home consumption . 470.000.000 570.000.000 
Available for export. 348.000.000 
T p to February 1 there had been exported about 
I80.000.000 bushels, leaving about 170.000.0oo bushels 
on hand. The following have been practically or¬ 
dered : 
Bushels 
European Allies . 100.000.000 
Relief in Belgium. 30.000.000 
Neutrals . 15.000.000 
European Relief . 30.000,000 
• 165.000,000 
The Grain Corporation now lias under its control 
the equivalent of 145.000.000 bushels. Country mills 
and elevators have about 100.000,000 bushels, and 
the farmers hold not to exceed 150.000.000 bushels. 
The needs of domestic consumption run about 
40.000.000 bushels per month. In view of these 
figures it is evident that the crop of 191X will be just 
about cleaned up before the new crop comes in. 
When it comes to the 1019 crop Mr. Barnes says that 
‘•Nature itself may make or ruin the crop.” The 
Winter acreage is large, and there will lie a heavy 
seeding of Spring wheat based on the general belief 
in the Government's guarantee of price. A yield of 
1,200.000.000 bushels is possible, but weather condi¬ 
tions may shrink that by one-third, and seldom if 
ever have two heavy crop years in wheat come to¬ 
gether. The open Winter is very trying on the 
Winter wheat. At any rate. Mr. Barnes says This 
Government must stand right up to its promise and 
see that the guaranteed price is paid for this year's 
crop. If the crop is short there will be little trouble 
in disposing of it. If it is as large as now seems 
possible the Government must be prepared to take 
care of it. Mr. Barnes favors giving the Government 
access to a loan of at least one billion dollars with 
which to finance the crop, and also giving great 
powers over selling, exporting importing and storage, 
and also power over exchanges and railroads. At 
any rate, something must be done at once to prepare 
for this year’s crop handling. Our own opinion is 
that the markets of the world will absorb most of 
our wheat without trouble. If the crop is too large 
to permit this the nation must be ready, like Joseph 
of old. to store and hold the wheat and fulfill its 
promise to farmers. 
Up-State Farm Notes 
STATE SHEEP RAISERS FEDERATED.—As an 
outgrowth of the Farm Bureau Federation which last 
year helped several counties to pool and sell their 1918 
clip of wool, a State Federation of Wool Growers’ 
Societies was reached at Ithaca during Farmers’ Week. 
Delegates from 28 county sheep growers’ associations 
were present when the action was taken. These in¬ 
cluded Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland. Delaware. Dutchess. 
Essex. Genesee, Greene, Livingston, Monroe, Wayne. 
Ontario, Orleans, Otsego, Schuyler. Seneca, Steuben. 
Tompkins. Washington, Rensselaer and Yates counties. 
Fred L. Porter of Crown Point. Essex County, was 
chosen president; E. S. Hill, Peruville, Tompkins Co.. 
treasurer, and Prof. Mark Smith, extension worker 
from the State College, who has done much to aid sheep 
growers of the State the past year, will act as secretary. 
HUNTING AND TRAPPING OF THE STATE.— 
Though the most populous and wealthy State in the 
I nion, the sport and business of hunting and trapping 
persists. Each year 200.000 hunters get licenses. They 
shoot 10,000 wild deer, valued at $500,000 as venison. 
The farm boys excelled this, though, with 260.000 skunk 
pelts the past year, valued at about $1,000,000. Rab¬ 
bits, fox, mink and other fur bearers swell the list of 
pelts to a very high figure. 
FLORAL BUILDING FOR STATE FAIR.—The 
erection of a new horticultural building will be the first 
project to be undertaken by the reorganized State Fair 
Commission, according to the report of the New York 
Federation of Horticultural Societies, held at Farmers’ 
Week. The building will cost near $350,000. and will 
be located in the center of the plaza. It is proposed t<> 
make it a convention hall for year ’round use. The 
federation authorized its president. F. R, Pierson, of 
Tarrytown, to visit Governor Smith and to place the 
merits of the plan before him and before the Senate and 
Assembly, that they may support the Commission, and 
get the plant started at once, so as to be ready for use 
next Fall. Later in the week the Federation of Farm 
Bureaus passed a similar resolution asking for prompt 
attention to the erection of this building. 
SYRACUSE MILK PLANS.—Milk producers of 
Syracuse and its vicinity are anxious to make a break 
towards self-production and better distribution. W. W. 
Ilovey, head of the Co-operative Plant Department of 
the United States Department of Agriculture, has in¬ 
structed them on various plans of co-operative associa¬ 
tions. Work on farm-owned plants at Jamesburg. 
Oran, Apulia, and other stations has been held up since 
January 18, waiting to get the Dairymen’s League 
uniform policy for such plants. Work will be started 
in the. Spring, if it can be carried out without too much 
financial burden on the farmers. The dairymen have 
elected directors of the Onondaga Milk Producers' 
Co-operative Association aud will proceed to erect one 
central distributing and receiving plant, which will do 
away withe need of local distributors’ plants, as all 
distributors will get their milk at the central plant. 
There is now a surplus of 5.000 quarts a day, aud this 
will be taken care of by the central plant. The new 
association will investigate charges of distributors 
watering milk, and will visit certain restaurants wluV-li 
do not now serve milk. An educational campaign to 
get working people to use more cold milk and ice cream 
will be instituted, and two dairy lunches will be estab¬ 
lished near big factories to encourage the use of rich, 
cold milk and buttermilk in place of the usual "bucket 
of suds.” The central plant will cost $150,000. at a 
cost of $30 per cow of the dairies co-operating. Even¬ 
tually middlemen will be eliminated, it is thought. 
NATIONAL FARMERS’ ORGANIZATION.—At 
Farmers’ Week a national association of farm bureaus 
was heartily endorsed. Fifty counties of the State were 
represented by delegates t<> the State Conference of 
Farm Bureaus, which passed important resolutions 
and elected officers for the new year. S. L. Striv¬ 
ings of Wyoming County was re-elected president. 
The delegates represented 65.000 farmers of the 
State. They voted to ask State aid for extension 
service to help dairymen to increase their efficiency, and 
for more money to aid animal husbandry work.' The 
federation voted to seek legislation to investigate 
methods of the New York City Board of Health, aud t-i 
force milk dealers to give bonds which shall prevent 
them from defrauding farmers. Daylight saving was 
condemned. Delaware. Illinois. Iowa. Massachusetts. 
Michigan. Missouri. New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsyl¬ 
vania, Vermont, West Virginia and uther States had 
delegates present to confer on the forming of a national 
federation. D. 1 . Farley was elected to represent this 
State at a national conference soon of Farm Bureau 
associations which shall give farmers a chance to speak 
collectively on nation-wide policies. 
THE COUNTRY DOG QUESTION.—John R. 
Clancy will take up with the legislative committees all 
bills in which the New York State Breeders’ Association 
is interested relating to live stock and agriculture. In¬ 
stead of acting independently, as in the past, all the 
breeders’ associations will act in unison this year. One 
of the first moves will be to draft an amendment to the 
dog law compelling owners in sheep-raising localities to 
keep their dogs tied up from sunset to sunrise, founded 
on a law in effect in Skaneateles for some years, and 
which gave effective protection to sheep, as most such 
damage is done at night. 
FARM RESOURCES EXPLOITED TOO FAST.— 
G. E. Roberts of New York City, recognized as a 
national leader of finances, in an address to farmers at 
Cornell says our national resources have been wasted. 
The rapidity with which America was settled was never 
equalled in the world, and never will be. Between 1900 
and 1910 our farm areas were increased 15 per cent, 
much of them second and third rate land. Our soil is 
being worn out and the cities getting too big for the 
country. There must be a gain in production to offset 
this. He said there were great opportunities in the 
farm lauds of the State, even for speculation, as well 
as for production. Dean Davenport of the College of 
Agriculture of Illinois, showed that in no other industry 
can as good results be obtained from the same invest; 
ment as in farming. The latter speaker told of meeting 
a man ou a train who was enthusiastic over a recent 
purchase of 7.000 acres of land in a very fertile valley 
in Montana. Asked where he obtained money to buy 
7.600 acres, he said he made it growing wheat on 5.000 
acres in Nebraska. Asked where lie got money to buy 
the 5.000 acres, he said he made it on a smaller farm 
in Iowa. vr. G. f 
