Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-02-14
Cheese Factories.
BY HON. JOHN SCOTT.


From the Farmers Journal.
Some of my neighbors having ag-
itated the question of starting n
cheese factory at this place, and
being interested in whatever con-
Germs the welfare of the commune
ty, l have given it some attention,
and believe the subject worthy a
discussion in your columns. l con-
fess agreeable surprise at the
prospect of good returns from cap
ital and labor so used, and com
mend it to the earnest attention of
such communities as can avail
themselves of this industry.
The first cheese factory was
started some fifteen years since, and
was naturally regarded as an ex-
pertinent, uutil the system had been
operated long enough to give well
proven results. About eight years
age, it was in such favor that many
factories were erected about that
time, and there has been steady
increase in number ever since. At
the present time, there are reported
about seventy-fve factories in Yer
mont, two hundred in Ohio, one
hundred and twenty in Wisconsin,
nine hundred in New York, and in
several instances, from forty to sew
enty in one county alone. This
shows that where the system is once
started in community, suited to
its experience, that there are in
ducements to its rapid spread.
But if the making of cheese is
profitable where land is salcable at
from sixty to one hundred and
twenty dollars per acre, where hay
is worth at this time, usually, from
fifteen to twenty-five dollars per ton,
corn from fifty to ninety cents per
bushel, straw more than ten dollars
per ton, and other feed in proper
ton; what returns may be reasona.
bly, expected from the same industry
where the product is of nearly equal
value, and the raw material rates at
no more than one-ftth Of the prices
above stated?
Other reasons why we should
look after this matter may be found
in our necessities. We thus consol-
idate our bulky products, and are
enabled to transport them to a dis
tant market The corn we now use
(shame on us) for fuel, we would
market in Liverpool at a fair profit.
The pasture and hay that now is
wasted-burned without thought of
it's value, would yield large returns
in the same way. We would pay
the freight bills thereon without
grumbling, because able to do SO,
and put the money in our pur-
Ses.
1t is necessary that we look to
these manufactures which require a
small outlay of cash, and quick re-
turns. This is peculiarly of this
character. An association of those
within radius of four miles, by
agreeing to unite their interests,
may start this manufacture, at a
cost of from three to four dollars
per COW employed, getting immedi
ate returns, and realizing for the
product, clear of all expenses, at
much less labor, more than three
times the amount ordinarily realized
from butter.
A factory is run to the best ad
vantage of farmers, where they
have an interest in the product; and
from 800 to 400 cows are employed,
The number can be found available
for this purpose in many localities
of Iowa. The factory would cost
from $1,000 upwards, according to
completeness and convenience, and
should have the labor Of one skilled
man or woman. Some other labor
would be necessary; but it is esti-
mated that the price of good taptary
cheese is so much greater than that
made in the common dairy, that the
surplus will pay all the expenses Of
making.
Nevada, Ia, Jan. 1873.