Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-02-07
HINTS FOR PACKING BUTTER

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Having read your valuable paper oi
late date | notice that the interest
taken Is not only in one branch OF
ira5s, ls,ss:..,ss ::kesrts!!y giyeideas that
are qGiie ~as Gseidl-r5 all c,asscs Of -eesi'
ers. | have therefore taken the
liberty to present to your readers the
best mode Of placing their butter IN
market TO command the highest price.
Having experience IN the butter trade
for the past twenty-one years, and hav.
ing been connected with the commits.
sion trade for the past twelve years, !
offer o few suggestions and words OF
caution in regard to the packing and
making Of butter, hoping they may
result in some benefit. | wish TO i'm.
press upon the minds OF Western ship
pers and makers of butter the necessi-
ty Of paying strict attention to this
great interest, which is yearly grow
ing in magnitude, il they wish to
compete with other sections The
packing and package used are almost
as essential points as making, and this
fact should he remembered. OF course
all packages of butter are not alike,
and cannot be sold at the same price,
but little more care and attention
paid in this respect (packing) would
do considerable toward bringing about
a greater uniformity in prices. Very
often commission merchants receive
complaints from country shippers sta
ting that their butter was us good as
their neighbors', which sold as choice,
and probably from two to five cents
higher than theirs. This may be so in
their own estimation, butcher parties
may differ. Their neighbors' butter
may have been put up in more desira'
bic packages, probably new tubs then
again their butter may have been
streaked, probably only least trife,
whio their friends goods have been
straight and uniform in color, all which
would naturally tend at times TO make
vast difference in prices and create
dissatisfaction.
Makers and shippers should be careful
TO pack butter uniform in color, and
should particularly remember that
streaked lots, no matter how sweet
and choice, cannot be brought in com
petition with lots running uniform in
color the latter commanding much
quicker sale at fair premium, and in
every way compensating makers and
dealers for their 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, al
though it may have left in good and
sweet condition from whence it was
sent. This fault lies with the makers
TO remedy 10 some extent for instance,
the cream may have stood too long, or
not been worked sufficiently TO take
out the buttermilk, while another fault
would be in not sailing properly.
These minor points, although triaing
at first, are more noticeable after they
have gone through second hands and
finally reach other markets. The
packing and package used are, how
ever, OF no secondary account in the
matter of realizing the best market
prices, and during hot weather partic-
ularly should shippers be especially
careful in regard to packages. Jars
and boxes should be avoided as much
as possible, the former costing more
freight, besides being n package not
easily handled. In handling at the
stations and express offices, and even
forwarding, jars and boxes are often
placed on top of each other, and as
there are no other covers Tor protec.
tiop, the quality is damaged by deiace-
ment and the price is considerably
lessened. Tubs, pals, and frkins
should be used exclusively, but in this
some discrimination is required. Oak
frkins and tubs are taken in prefer
encc TO others on account Of their
neater appearance, though some par
Ties use home made tubs, which they
claim answer for their purpose.
Another reason why these packages
are becoming more in favor on the part
of dealers is the fact that they sell
more readily to shippers, and parties
can also more readily agree TO tare If
certain make of tub is used to which
they are accustomed. Therefore, |
recommend tubs, pals, and firkins as
the most desirable, and, in the end, the
most economical packages used. Par
ties should be careful to soak their
packages well before using. In butter
making always use the best salt Ash
tons factory filed dairy is most gener.
ally used. Parties should be careful
to pack their butter solid, completely
filling the packages, and TO spread q
piece OF clean new bleached cotton
over it, dipped in brine neatly tucked
in at the edges, SO when moved it will
not damage the appearance. knowing
that these instructions are old TO few
but new to many, offer them for the
purpose of having uniformity in trade
as well as in packing, hoping may
soon again have the pleasure of seeing
other IDEAS in print regarding the COM
modity.-Jemes II. Lob, in american
Eranar