BERLIN. 
35 
supply was extended by the Farmers’ Association as far as the provinces of West 
Prussia and Posen, while successful experiments were made by the dealers in 
the importation of milk from Denmark. The dispute benefited no one, and the 
originators and shareholders of the " Milchcentrale ” lost heavily. 
Now, as before, the milk supply of the city is in the main furnished by 
several dairy companies and over 1,200 private dealers. The largest dairy 
company has a daily output of 105,000 quarts of milk, which is distributed by 
a small army of girls dressed in blue. The ruling prices per quart in October, 
1905, were 2^d. and 2jd., the higher figure being charged when the milk is 
delivered in the dwellings. There is a growing consumption of milk by the 
working classes. Not only is its more liberal use encouraged by the various 
societies which are combating consumption and infant mortality, but workmen 
more readily take to it than formerly, and it is no uncommon thing to see 
masons carrying bottles of milk to their work. The milk trade is carefully 
regulated by the police. Formerly three kinds of milk might be sold, “ full 
milk ” containing at least 2*7 per cent, fat, “ half milk ” with at least 0 5 
per cent, fat, and skimmed milk. Since 1902, however, the intermediate 
quality has been prohibited, and only “full milk” with 2*7 per cent, fat and 
skimmed milk with a less percentage of fat are now recognised. 
The coal used by the working classes cost in October, 1905, 1.9. 2\d. per 
cwt., and that was also the price of coke. They buy as a rule, however, in 
smaller quantities, and poorer households fetch their coal in pails, which hold 
about 16 lb., costing 3d., a price which works out at Is. 9d. per cwt. Coke 
similarly bought cost 1 \d. per pail of about 9 lb. Briquettes costing 8 a penny 
are, however, more used than coal or coke. To economise fuel the large square 
cooking range is often discarded and a small portable iron stove is used 
instead ; it stands beside the range, into which its flue passes. In this way a 
penny a day can be saved, which is a consideration in households of restricted 
means. 
Paraffin oil is the almost universal illuminant in middle-class quite as much 
as in working-class households. The American quality at 1 Id. per gallon is 
mostly used. 
Predominant Prices paid by the Working Classes in October, 1905, and 
March, 1907. 
Predominant Price. 
Commodity. 
October, 1905. 
March, 1907. 
Coffee 
Sugar :— 
Loaf • • • • • 
White Granulated 
Bacon :— 
Fat 
Streaky ... 
Eggs 
Cheese :— 
Tilsit 
Limburg ... 
Swiss 
Butter 
Margarine ... 
Potatoes 
Flour :— 
Wheaten ... 
Rye 
Bread :— 
Black 
Grey 
Milk... 
Coal ... ... .« 
Coke ... 
Paraffin Oil... 
... per lb. 
... No. per Is. 
... per lb. 
... per 7 lb. 
per 4 lb. 
... per quart 
... per cwt. 
... per gallon. 
lid. 
2# 
2#., 2|d. 
8§d. to 10# 
91d. to Is. 
17 
8§d. 
5Id. to 6#. 
lid. 
Is. Id. to Is. 2#. 
8|d. 
2d., 2fd. 
Is. 3\d. 
11 id. 
4%d. 
5#. 
2#, 2&d. 
Is. 2|d. 
Is. 2|d. 
lid. 
lid. 
2#. to 2|d. 
2# 
8|d. 
9# 
lid. 
8%d. 
6d. to 6# 
Is. Id. 
Is. 24d. 
8#. 
2fd. 
Is. 3\d. 
11# 
6d. to 6gd. 
6d. to 7d. 
2§d. 
Is. 5d. to Is 6#. 
Is. 4d. 
lid.