The Portland daily press., 1875-11-16
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Cheese y3. Batter

CuccSc tSs DuttcTs
In some dairy localities farmers are reluc-
tant to take stock in cheese factories, or to
send milk to them when in operation, under
the vague impression that they can realize
more from the sale of milk to regular custo'
mers, or from manufacturing butter. One
neighbor perhaps has supplied select list
of families with milk for years, and at the
time increased the value of his farm and
buildings and added 10 his bank investment
Another owning fine head of Jersey
cows, good pastures, running water and we'll
equipped dairy has succeeded in max
ing butter of an excellent quality which
always commanded ready sale and high
price-and therefore they naturally infer it
will be better for them to engage in either of
these well established branches, than to ex-
pertinent in the doubtful direction of asso-
ciated cheese manufacturing.
This reasoning might be correct were it not
for these limitations-there is but little new
territory for the sale of milk, as nearly all is
already occupied; and the only openings
would be among class of customers who
are unable or unwilling to pay the average
city prices-and likewise there is a very small
demand for high priced butter, which always
requires the exercise OF great care and skill
in its manufacture, and never can he pro-
duced only as all the surrounding conditions
are favorable. Again, both articles in the
season of the greatest production cannot be
transported to any great distance without in
volving considerable labor and expenditure;
and also during tho midsummer months
while cheese factories are doing four,shiDg
business, many private dairies suspend butter
making entirely.
Practically, the question thus submitted to
the dairy farmer is, will he aid in establish
ing new and thriving industry that benefits
the community at large and brings fair and
reliable returns 20 individual patrons-or,
will he continue to burden his household
with round of drudgery that produces
somewhat uncertain results?
Whenever doubter or unbeIiever in this
particular direction has an opportunity to
convince himself OF the right way by some
practical illustration, it is generally more
satisfactory and convincing than any line of
argument or array of statistics. We heard re-
Gently of two farmers living in the same neigh
borhood, who carried milk to cheese fac
tory some three miles dstaLt, through one
season. During the past summer one of
them little dissatisfied with his cheese div
idends concluded to keep his milk at home
and try butter-making. After few weeks
trial upon comparison OF receipts it was
found that from the same quantity OF milk
one had realized fifty dollars in cheese, and
the other only thirty-five in butter-the for
mer also retaining his Sundays milk, as the
factory was closed on that day, which dimin-
ished his cash receipts, but furnished sup
ply for the consumption of his family. One
had skim-mik for his hogs, and the other
also the whey from the factory-one had all
the care of the milk, and the making and
marketing of the butter-while the other was
relieved from all this, but obliged daily to
carry his milk to the factory. Whatever the
actual result might have been after an exact
adjustment of all values, in this particular
case the experiment was sufficiently convinc
ing, and the milk of that neighborhood was
LneredIUer carrleu 10 tne IacLOry.
We believe in figures that are sustained by
facts. An array of truthful statistics ought
always to carry conviction; but nevertheless.
it will not do for farmers to reckon the re-
sulting dollars ard cents in all their opera.
tions. Many of them give milk to their
calves and to swine, when reckoning would
show that it did not pay-at least as we'll as
the cheese factory, and they keep stock on
hay, although they may never realize ore
than halfits cash value; but still these things
must be done regardless Of immediate conse
quences, and in the long run all common.
sense farming pays.
Setting aside the comparative value of but
ter and cheese, factories may be regarded as
manufactures of manure; for in order to sus
tain them the number of cows must be in.
creased, thereby new elements of fertility are
added to the farm, pastures are improved, land
larger crops raised, and therefore every far.
mer should encourage their establishment.
In considering the question of direct invest.
ment in them, they should not be mised by
such exceptional cases as we have referred
to-; but rather make comparisons with the
average profit derived from dairy products at