Litchfield enquirer., 1868-02-06
Milk on the E{ousatcnic Railroad.
GREAT MEETING OF THE MILK PRODUCERS


 GREAT MEETING OF THE MILK PRODUCERS
 Nearly 200 of the farmers of the Housaton- lc Valley met i'll Convention at Kent. on Wednes- day, jan 29th, to discuss matters pertaining to the sending of milk to New York, and to take prelimi- nary steps towards organizing permanent Aaso- citation.
 Nathan Hart of West Cornwall was chosen Chairman, and T. s. Gold of West Cornwall, See retary.
 P. c. Cummings detailed the history of the milk enterprise on this railroad He commenced re- cei7ing milk in October, and now had eighty-five cans daily. Had arranged for selling three hund- red cans ill April, and eight hundred by the mid dle of June. Parties wishing to send milk hereaf- ter, must notify MT. Cummings of the quantity. at least six weeks beforehand, in order to insure it's sale. Could dispose of thousand cans or more. if timely notice IS given. We started with good reputation, which unfortunately We lost but we arc now recovering it again. Be honest, and give pure milk, and it will be all right. Our prepara- tions for carrying milk will be better than those of any other road. Refrigeratng cars will be prepar- el for hot weather.
 Mir. Goodrich, President of the Housatonic Rail- road, said, that the only way to do with impure or with watered milk, was to send 1t back. The milk enterprise has been set back, and we have had to contend with suspicion of dishonesty, from the haste of some to be rich. It is surprising that any should have practised & policy So suicidal Some have tried watering the milk as all experi- ment, till they have reached tw, I've quarts in can.
 Mr. Wells of Washington.-' Is it not tempered with on the roate? milk taken out and the cans filled up with water?:'
 Mir. Goodrich replied, that if there is any evil dence that this is done this road, he will prose cute the offence to the satisfaction of the parties
 The discussion upon watering milk, by Messrs Cummings, Wells and Peck, was closed by sug- gestion from Mir. Goodrich, that the farmer needs ID lactometer to tell whether he puts in water whether it is pure as it was from the COW.
 T. s. Stratton of Sandisfield.--" New mch cows will not give as rich milk as those that are drying off,"
 H. M Hart of West Cornwall.-Had inquired about watering milk on the Harlem Railroad. One man puts in one quart to ill summer, and two in winter. Another sends pure milk and gets better prices Dealers can judge of the quality. The only way to make money is to be honest, and send pure milk.
 MT. Chambers of Newtown, spoke of the differ eat quality of milk as given by different cows After full discussion by many speakers. the following resolution unanimously passed Resolred, That as farmers on tha Housatonic Railroad, sending milk to New York, we pledge ourselves to send pure mak. Mir. Goodrich promised to take all proper pre- cautions to keep the milk pure on it's transit. When full are sent they will Do locked and 1 not opened till they arrive in New York. l Mr. Pierce of West Canaan--'; If We send pure milk, ,wecan earn yet as good reputation as Orange County, and in two years we shall see milk carts ! with Housatonic Valley Milk. as we now see l Orange County. Feed to secure good milk, and get good reputation | Mir. Hungerford of Gaylordsville. sent ! milk on the Harlem Railroad. In June, milk is l poorer in quality, and has had some returned. | Mr. Goodrich would trust to the pledge of the 1 farmers, that they would only send pure milk, and l in return, the farmers want security from the l Agents, Messrs. Cummings and Baker, that they will not allow it to be tempered with or report it 1 wrong.
 Mr. Peck of Newtown, inquired about guarantee l and comm ission.
 Mir. Cummings guarantees the sale and return of proceeds every fortnight, at one half cent per quart.
 In reply to inquiries about transportation, Mr. Goodrich saiG that only twice this winter, the Housatonic Railroad had failed to reach Bridge port in time to connect with the New York road Whenever the quantity is sufficient to warrant, & special train will be rnn and this difficulty will be | obviated.
 Mr. Hopkins, Superintendent of the Housatonic Railroad.- Milk will be transported like any oth- CT freight If lost or stolen the route, the Railroad is responsible for the loss." The Chairman, Mr. Hart, inquired of NTr. Cum mings, if the sale of milk and returns could be Mir. C. replied, that in his estimation, it could not be done.
 Mr. Andrews of Brookfeld.- Formerly sent milk on the Danbury Railroad and lost about four hun dred dollars. Thinks that half cent is as low as it can be done.
 Mr. T. L. Hart raised question about the price of freights. Can they be reduced? Mir. Goodrich.-Does not think that tho time will come very soon when the freight can be reduced.
 
 of cent per quart for carrying milk to Bridge port, and returning the cans, being abont twenty three cents hundred.
 Estimate the milk production on the road to reach in six years three thousand cans per day. The farmers will have received in direct returns over three millions of dollars, and their lands within six miles will have advanced at least eight dollars per acre, amounting to eleven millions, q 900 0]O of dollars. There is no section near New York where they can produce milk and place it in market as cheap as you can. If the farmers will do their duty in improving their privileges, this enterprise will result in advancing real estate along the line of the Housatonic Railroad at least (s25.O00, ,000) twenty-five millions. You must have an agency to sell the milk and guarantee the pay ments. To satisfy themselves of the integrity and business capacity of your agents, you must have committee appointed by yourselves to investigate for you, committee from your own number, in whom you have perfect confidence. Those who have inquired in New York about your agents, are satisfied.
 MT. H. M. Hart.-s On the Harlem Railroad.