The Portland daily press., 1876-09-06
Packing Batter.
A Pittsburgh commission merchant writes
to the american Grocer as follows:

A Pittsburgh commission merchant writes
to the american Grocer as follows:
The packing aud package used are almost
IS essential points as making, and this fact
should be remembered. or course all pack
ages OF butter are not alike and cannot all
be sold at the same price, but a little more
care and attention paid in this respect (pack-
ine} would do much toward bringing about a
greater uniformity in prices. Very often
commission merchants receive co nplalnts
from couatry shippers stating that their but
ter was as good as their neigbbors' which
sold as choice, and probably from to cents
higher than theirs. THIS may be so in their
estimation, but other parties may differ.
Their neighbors' bntter may have been put
up in more desirable packages, probably tubs,
then again their butter may have been
streaked, probably only tri1e, while their
friends goods have been straight and uni
form In color, all which would naturally tend
at times TO make vast difference in prices
and create dissatisfaction. Makers and ship
pers should be careful aDG pack butter uni
form Ia color. and should particularly remem-
Der that streaked lots, no matter how sweet
and choice, cannot be brought into cOmpe-
titiOn with lots running uniform in color
the latter always commanding much quick
VI sale at fair premium, and in every way
compromising udhcls anu ucdicls iUT luciE
extra labor and care. Another fault is that
large portion OF the butter during the hot
weather turns sour and rancid very suddenly
sometimes before being received, although it
may have been left in good and sweet copdi-
ton from whence it was sent. This fault lies
with the makers to remedy to some extent ;
for instance, the cream may have stood too
long, or not worked sufficiently TO take out
the buttermilk, while another fault would be
in not sailing properly. These minor points,
although but trifing at first, are more no.
ticeable after they have gone through second
hands and finally reach other markets. The
packing and package used are, however, OF
no secondary account in the matter of real
izing the best market prices, and during hot
weather particularly should shippers be es-
pecially careful in regard to packages. Jars
and boxes should be avoided as much as pos
sible, the former costing more freight, besides
being package not easily handled. In hand
ling at the station and express offices, and
even forwarding, jars and boxes are often
placed on top of each other, and as there are
no other covers for protection, the quality is
damaged by DETACHMENT and the price is con-
siderab,y lesseDed. Tubs, pals and frkins
should be used exclusively, but in this some
discrimination is required. Oak firkins and
tubs are taken i'll preference to others on.
account OF their neater appearance, thoueh
some parties use homemade tubs. which
they Claim answer their purpose. Another
reason why these packages are becoming
more ia favor on the part OF dealers is the
fact that they sell more readily 10 shippers,
AMI parties can also more readily agree on
tare il a certain kind Of Tub is used 10 which
they are accustomtd Therefore l recon-
mend tubs, pals and firkips as the most de-
sirable and, in the eud, the most economical
packages used. Parties should be careful to
soak their packages well before using. In
butter making always use the best salt. Par
ties should be careful to pack their butter
solid, completely filling the packages, and to
spread piece of clean new cotton over il
dipped in brine, neatly tucked in at the edges
SO when moved it will not damage the ap-
pearaDce. Knowing that these instructions
are old to few but new to mary, offer them
for the purpose of having uniformity in trade
as well as in packing.