St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1871-01-27
TIE CALIFORNIAN,
Chr farm aud Garden.
Butter Making.

VI. Dairymen's association, at BurLng
ton, Jan. IS.
The necessity Of rational progress /:
nowhere more apparent than that mos
important of Vermont interests, I'll,
Dairy. We cannot compete with tho
west on cattle; in sheep, other flock
masters have advantages which we can
not overcome. The prosperity Of til,
state is but the combined prosperity o
individuals and associated and pcrse-
vering effort can best secure individual
success. Hence the value of association:
like this.
DO the pccunlary returns to Vermont
butter-makers indicate any General spirit
of rational progress is not the condition
of Vermont diaries just about what II
was fifty years ago! And should we
rest contentcd with fhi-! The ea9crncss
which the market shows 10 obtain the
best butter Is clear proof Of the ncccs-
sity of improvement III our system.
| have seen in Boston market butter
made in December, for which the dealer
paid Sl.0O per pound, while the mass OF
Vermont butter brought but onc-third OF
that sum. The loss Of the state in want
of superior excellence, and of nifJrmily
OF character of its butter product, Is to
be rcckoncd in tens of thousands; for
there is no good reason why our butter
should not be equal that OF Orange
county. There is chance for improve
ment in every detail Of the production Of
butter in Vermont. How many dairy
men know or pay sufficient attention to
the difference in breeds for butter purpo-
SEES? No one has even experimental
thoroughly in this direction, or even in
regard to individual merits in any enc
breed. What dairymam has ever cXpcr-
imented in regard TO food for Lii; COWS,
especially III time OF summer drUughts
or tried to ral>c clover to feed out and
corn when the grass is gone? and yet by
proper feed as much and as fine butter
can be made i'll July as in September.
The care of the cows ought to receive
much more attention AMI thought than it
does. The universal practice is to closely
confine the cows in cold weather; but
this does not conform To the best teach
ings 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 dairy men
seek other calling~, while the present
system with its filth and useless oxpcndi-
ture Of labor continues Many Of the
worst objections TO this system are obyi-
ated, in individual cases but the aver
age practice doe. not change. The iir.t
thing is 10 find Il better plan, ana my
own experience indicates the following ::
A COW will thrive better in propelly
G"H shed than in Il stable, for she does
not need more than protection from the
wcather-shed facing the south, on
ground above the rest of the yard, large,
tight-built, with fecd-rack for roots and
grain to use in storms hay should al
ways 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 corroboratcd 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 pre-
caution, unrulincSs in herd, and the
tyranny of the stronger over the weak
may be prevented.
Another Indispensable condition for
buttermaking is cvcnmcss Of tempcra-
ture; and springs and running streams,
or at least ice, can be brought TO every
dairy-room, so that as much and as good
butter can be made i'll July and August
as at any other time. The use Of COM
mon pans TO get the milk renders even
temperature almost impossible; large
pals should be used, requiring less room,
less cost, and less Labor, besides greatly
improving the product.
As 10 churning the milk, how few I'M
derstand the element of the best success
or use thermometer, ice, care to secure
even temperature and agitation Most
of the patent churns are humbugs.
Uniformity i'll sailing is essential,
WHICH can not De hau without weighing
and attcntiOn-but how many dairymcr
use either scales or care!
Marketing of the butter might he bet
ter managed, so that good and poor
should not 90 to market together and at
the same price. The best policy, when
practicablc-and for the man who makes
the best article is always casy-is for the
producer TO sell directly TO the consumer.
There is another important question of
which time will not allow discussion. If
we would improve we must understand
that Improvement is necessary.