The Portland daily press., 1878-12-31
The IntcrnationaI Dairy Fair.

The largest exhibition Of dairy products
ever held in America, the result OF the In
fNesRafi999aA NsM 9oaAA, Dairy Fair recently held In
dairy industry throughout the country. No
enterprise of like character has ever accom-
plished so much towards acquainting the
general public with the magnitude and i'm
portance of the production of butter and
cheese, while no similar opportunity has ever
occurred enabling dairymen to compare their
own products with those of their own coun-
trymen, or with the samples of foreign man.
ufacture. The rapid development of the
dairy interests of this country is subject ol
astoniphment, even to those who are best
acquainted with the resources of the United
States, and Notwithstanding the enormous
totals of butterand cheese now exported, we
have but just commenced trade that is des-
tined to large yearly increase.
Judicious legislation on the part of our
government that shall open up remunera-
tive and reciprocal trade with Mexico, Cen
trail and South America, will provide num-
erous patronage for our dairy products in ad-
ditlon to that already enjoyed with Great
Britain. A speaker at this dairy fair, esti-
mates that in the near future we should fur
nish England with at least 100000, 900
pounds of cheese per annum, and with a
large proportion of the $50. 100000 of butter
she now imports yearly from the Continent
OF Europe. Again, when it is considered
that, exclusive of Great Britain, the popula-
tion of Europe is 250, ,000,0 ,000 it is fair to pre-
sumo that large market may be created for
American dairy products. In 1878 over
128, 900, 900 pounds of cheese and 25, ,000, COO
pounds of butter have been exported, while
within the last twenty years an export of
cheese alone IS shown of !, 1853, 900, 900
pounds, and total value of exported butter
and cheese of $185, 900, 900. During the last
ten years 1856 ,000, 900 pounds of cheese have
been shipped abroad.
The lessons of this great dairy fair are
numerous to the intelligent and observant
dairyman. The supremacy of the East in
the manufacture of butter, is already in dan
ger from the superior skill and facilities of its
Western rivals. Evidence exists on every
side that the manufacture of only the best
qualities should be encouraged that even an
increased home consumption of cheese de-
pends upon the production of an article bet
ter suited to the wants OF consumers; that
an extension of the foreign trade must be
predicated upon careful investigation of
the wants of the people of each nation, and
upon an earnest endeavor to produce an art
icle suited to their tastes. The contrast be-
tween the creamery system and the farm
mode of making butter, as illustrated by the
lessened cost and increased value of the for
mer, is prominent lesson to our dairymen,
and one that should influence future action.
A statement from practical dairyman shows
conclusively that, at the end of ten years,
twenty men, owning thirty COWS each,
would, under the creamery system, have
realized $179,000 more than under present
systems of private dairying. It is gratifying
to announce that an International Dairy
Fair Association has been formed to repeat
this exhibition yearly. and to combine in
concentrated effort the skill, investigation
and inventive genius, which is now scatter
CWltirator.