Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-02-15
A9riful
Butter Making.
NJ I. b. DOUGLASS, OF WHITING.


Abstract of paper read before the Yer
mont Dairymen' : association at Burlington,
Jan. IS.
The necessity Of rational progress Is no
where more apparent than the most important
Of Vermont interests, the Dairy. We cannot
compete with the West in cattle; in sheep.
other fock-masters have advantages which
we cannot overcome. The prosperity Ct the
State is but the combined prosperity of in
dividuals and associated and preserving
effort can best secure individual success.
Hence the value Of associations like this
Do the pecuniary returns to Vermont
butter makers indicate any general spirit OF
rational progress? Is not the condition OF
Vermont daires Just about what it was fifty
wears ago ? And should we rest cOntented
with this The eagerness which the market
shows to obtain the test butter is a clear
proof Of the necessity Of improvement in our
system.
| have seen in Boston market butter made
IN December, for which the dealer paid Sl.OO
per pound, while the mass Of Vermont butter
brought but one third of that sum. The
loss Of the State in want of superior excel
lence, and of uniformity of character of its
butter product, is to be reckoned in tens OF
thousands for there Is no good reason why
our butter should not be equal to that OF
Orange county. There is chance for improve
ment In every detail of the production Of
butter IN Vermont. How many dairymen
know or pay sufficient attention TO the differ
ence in breeds for butter purposes No one
has even experimental thoroughly In this
direction, or even in regard to individual
merits in any one breed What dairyman
has ever experim ented in regard to food for
his COWS, especially in time of summer
droughts or tried to raise clover to feed
out and corn when the grass is gone and
vet. bv proper feed as much and as fine butter
can be made in July as in September. The
care Of the cows ought to receive much more
attention and thought than 1t does. The
universal practice is to closely conhne the
cows in cold weather but this does not
conform to the best teachings of physiology
and hygiene in regard to exercise, light, air,
cleanliness, drink and liberty of movement.
There is little wonder that the sons of our
dairymen seek other callings, while the
present system with its filth and useless ex-
penditure of labor continues. Many OF the
worst objections to this system are Obviated
in Individual cases but the average practice
does not change. The first thing is to find a
better plan, and my own experience indicates
the following A cow will thrive better ID q
properly Buih shed than a stable, for she does
not need more than protection from the
weather-shed facing the south, on ground
above the rest Of the yard, large, tight-built,
with feed-rack for roots and grain to use IN
storms hay should always be given outside,
except during storms, and in proper racks.
The labor of feeding is reduced one half,
comfort to cattle and master much enhanced
and the milk improved in quality. My own
experience is corrobOrated by that of others.
The most fruitful source of abuse among
the cattle is the lack OF knobs on their horns.
By adoption of this precautiOn, unrulInes'
IN a hard and the tyranny of the stronger
over the weak may be prevented.
Another indispensable condition for butter
making is evenness of temperature snC
springs and running streams, or at least ice
can be brought to every dairy-room, so tina
as much and as good butter can be made IL
July and August at any other time. Tn
use of common pans to set the milk render
even temperature almost impossible larg
pals should be used, requiring less room
less cost, and less labor, besides greatly i'm
proving the product.
AS to churning the milk, how few under
stand the element of the best success? or US
thermometer, ice, care to secure even temper
allure and agitation Most Of the patsn
churns are humbugs.
Uniformity in sailing is essential, whc
cannot be had without weighing and atten
tion-but how many dairymen use eithe
scales or care
Marketing of the butter might be bette
managed so taat good and poor should nc
go to market together and at the same price
The best policy, when practlcabie-and fl
the man who makes the best article is alway
easy-is for the producer to sell directly {
the consumer.
There is another important question {
which time will not allow discussion. If W
would improve we must understand that in
provement is necessary.