New-York tribune., 1900-08-21
DROU7H MAKES MILK DEAR
HIGHEST PRICE PAID IN THE MONTH OF
AUGUST SINCE 1885

The price of two and three-quarter cents quart
for milk by the New-York Milk Exchange at
it's meeting last week is the highest price which
has been paid in the month of August since 1885
The high price is due to the long period of dry
weather. which has prevailed in of the milk
producing sections of the State since spring. The
pasturage in counties has become so short
that the do not give their customary guam
titles of milk. A milk dealer yesterday said he
knew of a dairy of twelve cows which gave only
seventy quarts Of milk in two milkings Some
farmers have become discouraged that they ere
selling the least profitable members Of their herds
These are shipped to the counties where the rains
have saved the grazing. Westchester Orange and
Sullivan counties. in this State, and the northern
tier of counties in New-Jersey have been good mar
kets for these cattle Cows valued under ordinary
conditions at $40 now bringing as high as $50
and $50. The average is $50.
Coupled with the drouth an elevating force in
the price is the good market for milk Unfortunate
ly the daryman does not derive the benefit from
the good price which he deserves. No matter
which way he he is the loser. If he gives his
hay and feed, thus increasing his supply OF
milk he has the bill to pay, and If he depends en-
tirely upon pasturage his product is cut down.
The effect of the higher price in the city is TO
raise retail price in tenement house districts,
where milk is sold close margin. The retail
price the higher class of trade will not be af-
fected unless the wholesale price should continue
to go up. dealers. In fixing upon the retail
price, have taken the customary variations of the
market into consideration.
The general milk agent of one OF the railroads
bringing milk into New-York said yesterday:
The present price is one-half cent better than
that of last August but the farmers are not get
ting much from their farms per acre through
milk. owing to the shortage in pasture They ought
be getting three cents quart. Some farmers
tion where the drouth has been severe are selling
their cattle, be shipped to other places where
the grazing is better. The milk production has Deen
cut down % per cent. Butter and cheese have gone
up one cent a pound within the last two or three
days.
large dealer in milk corroborated the milk
agent as to the for the increased price in
milk. He said:
There has been plenty of rain in some sections
and little in others. / was out In Ntddletown on
Saturday, and some of the fields literally
brown If the farmers not feeding there would
be milk worth speaking about. The price has
not been high in August in fifteen years. The
tenement house districts charge more for milk but
will affect the first class price. The dealers
calculate to take the bitter with the sweet. The
farmer is receiving big price, but the conditions
such that he is not making any more than in
other years. That is the pity of It. The city has
pay more, and the farmer is not getting the
benefit of it. The farmers in some sections are
ure. They are being taken to Westchester County
The farmers becoming discouraged. In some
places they have been obliged TO draw water for
their cattle. We have conception of the condi-
tion in parts of the State. It IS unusual
Those who selling their cattle are getting low
prices. but the spectators who buying and
shipping them to other places are making money.