Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-06-12
Agricultural.
CALIFORNIA BUrrER-FROM EN- TER
PRISING vERMONTERS.


Only decade of years ago the people OF
California were dependent upon outside sour
ces for their supplies of nearly everything
except gold. But within that period won
drous change has been effected The culti-
vaton of the rich soil with which the State
J is blessed has made them Independent of the
world for all the necessaries aad most Of the
luxuries OF life. aud the export of their sur
| plus is only limited by the number of vessels
available to carry it away. The extraordinary
/ arge export of Wheat and Flour of the past
two years-the superior quality of these arti-
cles, which have been shipped to almost all
countriss-have caused that branch of the
agricultural resources of the State to rival
the fame Of her world renowned metallic and
mineral products But these exports of
Wheat and Flour important as they are, do
not tell all the story of CAlifornia's progress
" an agricultural State. Her product Of
Wool. the increase and improvement Of her
locks and herds, are scarcely known outside
her own borders. Her Butter has yet to be
introduced abroad. There is scarcely an ar
.icle in the whole list of agricultural products
which 50 clearly marks the progress of the
State as her product of Butter--a branch Of
production not entered into systematically
more than year or two. Owing TO most
imprudent disregard OF the Importance Of sta
stical information which prevails in the
State it is not possible to obtain full details
Of this important BUSINESS but through the
kindness of one OF the leading firms engaged
it, are able to give a few figures on the
subject, which we feel certain will be inter-
sstng. Shsfter & Howard. OF Point Reyes,
Marin C1unty, are the largest Butter makers
IN this coast at present. They have seven
cen dairies, milking 1000 cows, which are
listured on ranches containing $1,000 acres
Of good land. They employ nearly 200 men
20 herd and milk the cows, make the Batter,
etc. There are several other very large dali
ries in Santa Clara, Sonoma, San Luis Obs
po aud other counties, the joint production
IF Butter from all of which am )unts to about
5000 frkins per month during the season..
Tue agents for some of these dsiries in this
city have blilt one of the finest iron-fronted
brick stores on Front street, in the basement
of which the Butter from each dairy is packed
separately, 80 that any particular brand can
always be obtained. To prepare hrkins for
such of this Batter as is packed for the inter-
ior tIads. thirty coopers are constantly en-
ployed. To bring it TO San Francisco from
the dairies three schoouers are employed for
those on Tomaes Bay, two for Point Reyes,
two for Pigeon Point, one for Monterey, one
Tor San Luis obispo aud one for Bodega.-
All these vessels are engaged exclusively in
carrying Batter aud Cheese. Large quanti-
ties are also brought by other coasting ves-
sells and steamers. The average consump-
tion of Butter in the State is estimated at s.
600 frkins psr month. The present produce
tion is about 5000 frkins per month. 1t is
quite probable that in 1869 California will
have Batter to spite for export, which, like
her Wheat and Flour, will be found to excel
ia quality that produced elsewhere. The
abundance of rich succulent grasses, and the
mild, equable climate Of California keep the
cattle in such u condition that their milk
pro iuces the richest favored Butter proba-
bly, in the world.