played a not unimportant role. They, too, have been subjected to larger expenditures, nor have they been slow to support most forcibly any movement resulting in the advance in price to the consumer. Unfortunately, however, some dealers and distributors have been prone to discount the actuality of the condition confronting the farmers, and, for the most part, set themselves in opposition to granting any increase in rate.

This attitude on the part of dealers and distributors toward the cost of milk production went far toward stultifying the average producer's resourcefulness and acumen, and led him sometimes voluntarily, but more often by the sheer force of circumstances, to the production of milk of inferior standards and sanitation, or to decrease the number of cows kept in his herd, or both, in an effort in some way to overcome constantly rising costs. In many instances, producers have been compelled to dispose of their herds entirely and to retire from the dairy industry.

It is inconceivable that such a situation could obtain without imparting its evil influences to the consumer. For the most part the consumer has recognized this situation and adjusted himself thereto, not without complaint, it is true, but, nevertheless, with the realization that to do otherwise would open the way for the menace of a serious milk shortage, wherein it would be no longer a question of getting milk at any price, but rather a question of not getting any milk at all. The effect of such a calamity upon the health and vitality of the public at large, and especially on the part of infants, growing children and invalids, is too obvious to require further discussion. Let it be remembered, however, that in the last analysis, a farmer must be adequately reimbursed for his labor and the conduct of his business. This is a fact that must be reckoned with, and is one that no amount of theoretical argument will overcome.

DAIRY AND STABLE INSPECTIONS.

Dairy and stable inspection work was originally conducted to safeguard the consumer against the production of milk below certain fixed standards and criterions of cleanliness. Its aim was also to coöperate with the producer and indicate to him how to make the purest milk by the adoption of such of the latest accepted methods as were practically applicable to his particular environment.

To be satisfactory, the inspection of dairy farms must be carried on by competent inspectors. They should have a practical, sympathetic knowledge of dairy farm conditions; they should know the essential features in the production and handling of safe and clean milk; and they must be able to distinguish between those factors which make for public health and those having relation to cleanliness or economy of production and handling of the product.

Dairy inspection has a broader meaning than simply looking into the dairy barn and reporting on light, ventilation, and the smoothness of walls and ceilings. Dairy inspection means, first, the coming into personal contact with the producer, and the establishing of a personal relation between the Dairy and Food Commissioner's Office and the dairyman. It means education instead of prosecution in the vast majority of cases. When dairy inspectors can prove to the dairyman that they have a detailed knowledge of milk production and handling, and when they can approach the problems of the dairyman with sympathetic interest, the prime feature of milk and stable inspection work will be accomplished.

Inspection of dairy farms will give information regarding water supply and sewage disposal, and also enable the official to judge by personal acquaintance with the dairyman the best means of accomplishing hoped-for results. By means of it he may be able to accomplish by persuasion what might otherwise fail except by most drastic methods.

The inauguration of the work was confronted with

43

many difficulties, especially when producers mistook the purpose of inspection, and looked upon it not as coöperative but rather as savoring of compulsion and interference. The newness of inspection work, the creation of various sources of authority emanating from various boards and commissions under federal, state and municipal control, did much to strengthen the producer in his point of view, and to encourage him to look askance and with suspicion upon the feasibility of such "new-fangled notions".

The consumer likewise failed to recognize the utility of dairy and stable inspection and often allowed his better judgment to be prejudiced, somewhat in this respect by his natural dislike of an advance in price. He had not yet become keenly alive to the fact that a superior quality of milk at an increased price might be ultimately of more economic importance to himself than an inferior milk at a much lower price.

It is most encouraging to note, however, that both producers and consumers are apparently changing their attitude toward inspection work. It is, therefore, becoming possible to render more efficient service to both producer and consumer and to demonstrate to each that inspection work is of vital concern to the best interests of both, as well as of the public at large. The producer has been more ready and willing to adopt the suggestions and recommendations of inspectors, and in most cases has so altered his methods and equipment as to comply with the general standards of clean milk production.

The consumer has gradually come to appreciate what clean milk really signifies and has not so bitterly opposed the advance in price brought about by improved conditions of production and increased cost of labor and feeds, as well. He has learned that inspection work is beginning to show definite results in concrete form of better milk and is beginning to look upon this work as his greatest asset of a guarantee against milk, all too often, unclean, unwholesome, and unfit for human consumption.

By the passage of Chapter 242 of the Public Acts of 1917 the General Assembly created a Milk Regulation Board, consisting of the Dairy and Food Commissioner, the Attorney General, the Commissioner of Health, the Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Connecticut Dairyman's Association, the main object of which is to exercise discretionary supervision of all dairy activities of the State as related especially to producers, dealers and distributors. After holding a public hearing, this Milk Regulation Board on October 8, 1917, adopted rules and regulations concerning the inspection of dairies, the production, care, handling, marketing and sale of milk and cream. Among these rules and regulations particular attention is called to that requiring the annual registration of every milk producer and dealer in the State, and also to that forbidding the sale of the milk of any unregistered producer. It is urgently recommended that every producer and dealer supply himself with a copy of Bulletin No. 7 of this office, which will gladly be furnished gratuitously upon request, and familiarize himself with the suggestions contained therein, which are most pertinent to the efficient success of all dairy work. Without the existence of the Milk Regulation Board and the splendid work it is accomplishing in the organization and coördination of the dairy industry on a firm and lasting foundation, it would have been impossible to report at this time so much progress with the inspection work. The annual registration of all producers and dealers has been of very material assistance in the formation of a definite systematized program of inspection, and also in the accomplishment of the maximum of result at the minimum expenditure of energy, time and money. The plan of having this board act as a tribunal to which all complaints and appeals from the judgment of the officials of this office can be brought, has decided merits and is a source of not a little relief to the Dairy and Food Commissioner.

THE DAIRY AND STABLE SCORE CARD.

As already indicated, dairy and stable inspection work passed through a period of experimental incubation accompanied by more or less haphazard methods of procedure and not a few abstract and impracticable suggestions on the part of those performing the task. There was nothing definite and concrete to which the producer or dealer could refer after the inspection had been made and the same was equally true when occasion arose for reinspection.

To remedy this condition the use of a definite score card was introduced, whereby every part of a producer's or dealer's outfit was rated at a certain percentage on the scale of 100 (see score cards at center of this report). This gave producers, dealers and inspectors something tangible and specific wherewith to tabulate in no uncertain manner the various component items pertaining to the general characteristics of any particular plant. This dairy score card has distinct merits, among which the following are preeminent:

(a) A copy of the inspector's card is always left with producer or dealer to which he can refer at any time for guidance as to the most essential points of improvement to be made.

(b) No producer or dealer can bring forth a legitimate excuse for not knowing in what respects he is lacking in the essentials of clean milk production.

(c) Great emphasis has been placed upon the use of covered milk pails with small openings, as experiments have shown that their use has reduced the bacteria content in milk in many cases 50%. We, therefore, allow ten points for this one item, and a large number of producers have installed covered pails as a part of their equipment.

(d) The producer or dealer is often surprised to learn how by the exertion of comparatively little time and money he can improve his methods and equipment so as to secure