Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-07-01
From the Southern Sportsman.
BUTTER MAKING--TREATMENT
OF COWS


The attention paid to the Dairy is in
creasing every day; and our Agricultural
Fairs. which are being held throughout the
South and West show, by specimens of
fine butter that the articles Of domestic
economy, formerly brought from abroad.
are now being most successfully made at
home. We cannot, in the extreme South,
60 into all those minute particulars which
grazing country admits of; but we can do
much more than we ever have done. and
probably produce butter quite equal to any
in the Union. When il can be done, a
change of pasture operates favorably TO
the production Of rich milk; we presume
variety Of good food Of any kind with pro-
duce nearly the same effect. Sailing the
cows is positively essential if it is only
occasionally furnished, the animal takes it
in too large quantities, and it has an inlu
rous effect: if left where it can always be
got at, it never does injury. Cattle left
without salt, are always at what are called
clicks" and in this way they take into their
stomachs much foreign matter. that renders
them unhealthy. and Of course the milk
Many excellent cows are ruined by hard
driving; a negro mounts half broken
colt and true to the proverb Of "beggar
on horseback" rides faster than is necessary
and carries the cows along with him. This
! treatment produces fever, makes the ami
maj easily alarmed, causes her to shun the
house, and DESTROYS her disposition; blows
with sticks, harsh treatment, generally pro-
ducc these effects; kindness, and genteness
of manner are the only proper methods 10
manage stock. One Of the greatest evils
we have to complain of, is carelessness
in mlking when this is sIoyenly attended
to. or only done at irregular periods the
COW, however good she may be, dries up,
and soon becomes comparatively worthless.
OF cleanliness, we need not speak; every
good house wife appreciates its importance
and with regard TO milk and cream. il is
more particularly necessary. So delicate
/ is milk, in color and its qualities, that il
shows the least foreign substance whatev-
er; therefore iis favor is easily ruined. as
well as its qualities for making butter. In
/ hot weather, ice, if it can be had, or a cool
spring, is very necessary in making butter.
! The mik-house should be always Of stone
or brick, and must be built so that il can be
easily and often thoroughly ventilated; it
should be closed in the day time. and open
ed at night Swimming milk, in hot Wea-
ther, NAV be deferred until the milk is cur
died; but it must then be attended 10 as
soon as possible or the cream will become
,Uafery, and be injured. In warm weather
milk should he skinned in the morning and
evening, if You would have your butter of
ono uniform color. Cream cannot be
kept in too cool place; it should be put in
thick stone Jars, and either set in spring. or
in some deep well; places that are damp.
and unwholesone, ruin cream. and conse.
quently the butter. Cream should be
churned while it is sweet A great many
churns are invented, and introduced into
the country. but the old fashioned churn is
the best that can be had for family use
Working the butter is very much neglect
ed; it should be continued until every drop
!, of butter milk is expelled; this accomplish
ed, your butter will keep sweet long time.
Salt should be added Immediately on the
commencement of working the butter; the
best quality of salt should only be used, and
> it should be of very fine grain, if it can
; be procured
! Such are some Of the general rules laid
down by the most experienced heads, with
regard to butter making--an article which.
when sweet, and properly made, is the most
grateful TO the eye, and the taste, of any
other put upon the table. We have knows
| butter TO give a room, in which il was
placed. n sweeter odor than could be oh
tanned from the raresl flowers. Such but
ter is a luxury, which all who live on plan
tations can enjoy; and its possessions Sc
; cures health, and, os i, is proof Of a gooc
/ house wife, we will odd, il secures hsppi
ness.