Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-11-04

rfculture by Commissioner John A.
Roberts, who is cooperating with the
Boston Chamber of Commerce in bet
tering the milk situation in Maine. 1t
will be of value to every person inter-
ested in our dairy business:
STATE OF MAINE.
Department Of Agriculture.
Boston Chamber of Commerce
Cooperating.
Augusta Nov. 2, 1914.
The cost to the Maine farmer of
producing a quart of milk and the
problems pertaining to the reduction
of this cost will be the subjects of in
vestigation at three hearings, to be
held at
Grange hail. Newport. Wednesday,
Nov. II, at 1890 A. NJ.
State House, Augusta, Thursday
Nov. ~, at 1890 A. NJ.
Auburn hall, Auburn, Friday, Nov.
Is. at 1890 A. NJ. under the auspices
of the United States Department Of
Agriculture, Maine Department of Ag-
riculture, the State College of Agri-
culture, the State Grange, and the
Boston Chamber of Commerce 1t is
hoped that by determining just how
much it costs each farmer to produce
his milk day by day. facts relative to
the business of milk production will
be collected, and when these facts are
boiled down and put into disable form,
the farmers Will be given the oppor-
tunity to benefit by the experience of
those of their number who are pro-
ducing milk on the lowest and most
profitable basis.
The New England Milk Producers
Association recently asked the Boston
Chambey of Commerce to look into the
milk situation with view to making
recommendations as to how the stu
alton could be bettered On July l. a
meeting was held in Boston by the
Chamber of Commerce at which were
present representatives from the de-
partments of agriculture, agricultural
colleges and oranges of each state and
the United States Department of Ag
riculture. 1t was voted to hold hear
ings in each state to collect statistics
on which recommendations for the i'm
provement of dairy interests and the
preservation of the New England cow
might be made Hearings similar to
those to be held in this State are to
occur all over New England through
out the fall.
The milk situation in New England
has changed greatly during this past
Is years. In New England there are
210 cities and towns of over 5000 pop
ulation, with total population of
over 5,O000,000 persons
Fifteen years ago most of the cities
and towns received their supply of
milk from the immediate vicinity.
Now throughout New England the
railroads handle 90 cars of milk a day
or over half million quarts of milk.
some of il coming from a distance
of over 900 miles. Transportation
charges and icing, together with more
modern demands for pasteurization
and more clearly methods in the
handling and production of the COM
modify, required by the state boards
of health, have created a problem in
management and accounts which many
of the farmers do not understand
Fifteen years ago practically no
milk was bottled or pasteurized. Now
practically none of 1t escapes either
process. The ordinary individual does
not believe that it costs the farmer
money to daily remove the piles of
manure, which before the present day
regulations went into effect could
stand for a season, or to ice the milk,
or to pasteurize it, or provide modern
equipment OF various description. Per-
feet pasteurization means heating the
milk and holding it at 143 degrees to
las degrees from % minutes to half
an hour
Under the old methods it was a
comparatively easy matter for the
farmer to keep his cows and milk
them and then sell the milk, with lit
tie or no regard for what it was cost
| ing him for feed. One hardly needs
to be told now, however. that in these
days when food stuffs are mounting
| higher and higher in price, it is vital
| that the farmer know exactly what it
| is costing him to produce his milk
| per quart, that he may adjust his ex-
| penses to work profitably and so eco
romically. This is an age of scientific
management when every item of ex-
pense must be placed where it belongs
| or the balance sheet will come out
awry.
To bring out the facts that those In
| charge of the hearings desire to know,
as we'll as to bring these facts home
| to the persons interested. the ques-
| tons asked will be framed along the
| following lines:
What price is received for milk
! whether as butter fat, or at per can
| or hundred pounds basis. for certain
| months OF the year?