Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-04-06

Abstract OF paper read before the session OF
the Board OF Agriculture at Wiscasset.l
Associated Dairying in Maine is no long,
er an experiment, it is fact-a successful
| reality-and now and hereafter it must
rank among the leading branches of agri-
culture in our State. Its growth and pro-
gress has been rapid and smacks some
what of the marvellous. being more like the
operation of events among our Western
cousins, than what is usual in old conserva-
tive slow-plodding, down-east. The little
cheese factory of two years ago located
away up in the Sandy river valley, has
grown to score in operation last year,
and another twelve-month will witness
more than three score associated dairies
| scattered throughout our State, so deep is
the interest of our farmers in this question.
Truly the seed has not fallen upon poor
soil for the harvest already is many-fold.
And this is only the beginning. The lit
tie spark is kindling n strong fire, for the
| fuel is plenty and there are willing hands
| to supply it. There is room enough in
Maine for two hundred of these farmers
manufactures without fear of crowding,
and still be no danger of glutting the mar
ket.
These companies are organized all over
the State, and their unpretentious little
factories adorn many a quiet cross-road-
corner, while one can hardly take up
copy of a newspaper published in Maine
without seeing accounts of new cheese
factory companies organized, or Of dis
cussions which usually lead to the same
result.
Let me refer to my own county as an
example. Two years ago the subject OF
cheese factories was almost unknown.
Our farmers had heard Of such operations
being carried on in New York, but that
they were adopted to the wants of Waldo
county farmers was not taken into consid-
Grafton. 1t was also rumored that there
part of Maine, but how, or even where,
was somewhat question of doubt But
some of our earnest farmers, feeling that
something must be done for self preserva-
tion, and thinking, here, perhaps. was an
read. investigated and lahored practi-
cally and the result mas been four factories
We're in successful operation the past milk
season, seven more are organized and
ready for work next spring, and several
Whole amount of cheese manufactured
last season 42.040 lbs. or over II tons.
Average price obtained. 10 1-2 cts. per 10.
Total value of cheese in market $6,6l6.30.
Average cost of manufacture 12 cts. per
lb. Average number of pounds of milk
to pound of cheese 9 6-10 or a fraction
over 9 1-2 lbs. Average price Of shares
$25 extremes $40 and $50. The mum
Der Of cows furnishing milk to those fac
tories ranged from so to 200 to each. The
work in factory manufacturing the milk
of 200 or 500 cows is but little more than in
| one Of 100.
So we have accepted this specially in
farming in Waldo county and so far the
members of different companies are en-.
tirely satisfied with the results.
lie. us consider briefly the subject of as
sociated dairying in some of its most inn
portant bearings. 1t is fact and a cry
ing evil that majority of the farms in
| Maine are ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS poorer
| and less valuable year by year. And why ?
Because the original richness and fertility
of our soils have been wholly or partly
exhausted by our farming system which
has taken from them year by year more
than has been returned. We extract and
sell off raw material-hay, potatoes, and
grains, neglecting to make corresponding
returns, hence we are constantly impov-
| erishing the soil. Associated dairying put
in practice would be step towards stop
ping this drain from the farm. Cheese
factories require milk more milk means
more cows; the keeping OF more cows re-
quires the consumption OF the hay and
grain, or the farm products, upon the
| farm, all of which means more manure
| which must be returned to the soil, so that
every season cheese factory operates in
q neighborhood the farms supplying milk
are growing Just so much richer and more
valuable.
This in my opinion is the strongest ar
gumcnt yet adduced in favor of cheese
factories-this gradual and sure though
small increase in the fertility of our farms.
| Then it is no doubt a fact that the more
condensed the form in which we can mar
ket our farm products the better it pays
An old saying is that a successful farmer
| will market his crops on four legs, mean
ing that he will sell it in the form of live
stock which have been used as machines
to concentrate the raw products, but if We
market them in the form of cheese or but
ter we have reached step higher and are
still nearer success.
As to competition. Some will say We
cannot compete with the middle and west
ern States in the production of cheese
Why not We have several advantages. In
teh first place land is not so valuable here as
in the cheese producing sections farther
west. Stock is cheaper here; help can be
obtained at less rates, and certainly our
prices are far in advance. That we can
produce as good quality of cheese has
certainly been demonstrated beyond q
doubt. Waldo Co. cheese factory placed
side by side with Western in our retail
stores have been preferred by consumers
in nine cases out of ten. Ninety.ive pei
ct. of our factory cheese have proved tt
be first quality, and this too in our mex
perience.
Cheese making by the factory system i;
not an injury to the general dairy interes
in the State; it is just otherwise. The
market for butter and cheese will be bet
ter. Said one Of the leading dairymen II
my town at our dairymen's meeting -"
believe in cheese factories though l can
not furnish milk for them. But they mak'