Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-07-31
SOUTHERN CHEESE FACTORY.

Gently started in Buncombe County,
N. c.:
Not quito a year ago, Mr.. N. w
Woodfin, tho owner Of tho lands up
on which the Factory is situated, left
this place to visit the State of Now
York. While there ho mado the
acquaintance of Gov. Ioratio Soy
mour, the present President of the
Cheese Factory Association of that
State, who Induced him to visit many
of the Cheese Factories there in sue
ccssful operation.-The fattering
results Of that S:ato caused Mr.. Wood
lin to seek out every information
concerning it, with a view of intro
duction TO tho people of Western
North Carolina the subject of Cheese
making, rs means of 1ecuperating
their Lust fortunes and to change tho
production of their farms.
The intelligent and practical mind
of MIR. Woodfin saw at once that if
Cheese Factories were profitable in
New York, where grazing lands arc
worth from 500 10000 por acre, and
and labor much higher than in these
mountains, it would be much more
profitable in Western North Carolina
where equally as good grazing lands
can Le bought at from 81 TO $40 per
acre, and labor much cheaper, while
our climate and wator, boing coolor
and purer than in Now York, will Gu
able US to produce a better quality.
He Immediately induced Capt. e.
wards ono of tho best cheese makers
in New York, and who was highly
recommended by Gov. Seymour, to
pay visit to Buncomb and examine
the country. In January last, Mr..
Edwards came here took survey of
tho country and pronounced it equal
to New York for Cheese making.
A company was Immediately form
ed, Capt. Edwards was employed to
superintend the Factory, and sent
back TO Now York to procure the
most complete and best machinery.
AT that time there was not tree cut,
from which any part of tho present
buildings wero erected; but the indie
fatisabo energy Of tho members of
tho Company in an incredibly short
tlme foIled tho hugo forest trees, erec-
ted suitable buildings, mado q good
road of two miles in length, and by
the time the machisery arrived, on
the 9th day of April, everything was
ready to receive it.
On the 2Sth of April 1868, (the day
after the machinery arrived) the
FIRST cheese was made at Elk noun
tain, weighing 40 pounds, and is as fine
an article of cheese as any made in any
country.
Quantity of Cheese now made
daily. 26O to 26o lbs.
Numbers of cows milked, $50
The vhole Quantity of Cheese
made since April 2sth, 5000 lbs.
There are two sizos of Choose made
one size weighing about 40 lbs. each
tho other from 8 to II lbs The rri-
ces adopted by tho Company arc for
the largest size 20 cents per pound,
for tho smaller size, by tho single
Cheese, 25 cents per pound, but where
three or moro small ones arc taken
the prico is reduced to tho same as
for tho largest size. This prico brin gs
it within tho reach of every ono, and
if the Company does nothing more,
it deserves the united support of our
people for having reduced the price of
that article of food.
The Factory employs fifteen hands.
Of these, three are females; two
as mixers only, and in tho vat room.
Tho male employees are engaged, be-
tween the morning hours, in various
other duties on the farm.
About fifty. hogs are kept "fat and
fiourishing" upon the whey from the
vats.
The Machinery was mado by Mes.
srs Williams, Ralf & Co., Utica, One.
ida Co, N. Y.
Thus, then, in ten months after it
was first thought of, the Machinery
hos been made, in New York, and do
lirered in Buncombe County, N. c..
, the forest felled, the buildings erected
$50 COWS purchased. and 5000 pounds
Of superior Cheese made, which 6nds
ready sale, in and near AshevilIe, al
the above prices, and gives th.
Factory earnings, since the 18th oi
April not two months-the respeota-
bic amount Of $1,000! Such energy
end industry is entitled to the high
est praise, and ensures to the enter
prise profitable career.
As an enterprise, for the genera