The Portland daily press., 1878-12-19
AGRICULTURAL.
Butter for Export.

The great bulk of butter produced in this
country finds market and is consumed at
home, the proportion of the exports to the
fentire production being Insignificant. While
| the annual product is estimated at from 700,-
100000 to 1000, oOO,0O0 lbs, the exports from
May to November, 1873, have been only
about 100000 lbs. The cheese exports are
much larger in comparison. But in the
English markets both cheese and butter of
American manufacture brings lower prices
than those which are given the English,
French. Dutch, Swedish. and Danish dairy
men. Prices on the 1st of November were
So shiings per cwt. for faultless American
cheese and ITO shillings per cwt. for the best
American butter, while English butter was
quoted at $50, Danish at LA, Swedish at
1872 and French at $50. As it is generally
estimated that it takes as much milk to
make one pound of butter as it does to make
two pounds and half of cheese, it will be
seen from the above that faultless American
cheese does not bring as good relative price
in the English market as the best European
butter, excepting only that American butter
brings less price relatively than American
cheese. The latter fact however, may posi-
bly, be accounted for by the non-ap appearance in
the English market of the best grades of
of our higher grades have been exported, the
shipments generally having been of inferi-
or sorts. Mr.. x. A. Willard, who discusses
the whole matter very carefully and in an inter-
esting manner in The Country Gentleman,
thinks that as fine butter can be produced in
the United States as anywhere in the world,
and that, with the refrigerator system on ocean
steamers. there is no reason why we cannot
send to London and Liverpool an article that
will nOpopafQ with thu Of
Of Europe.
But Mr.. Willard does Lot consider that
England would afford the best market should
our cheese dairymen turn their attention to
butter making and create surplus on our
own market. England imported in 1877, ex-
elusive of what was received from Ireland,
1873, AS, 94 pounds, the imports from Ireland
being also very large, while the domestic
product was about SO, 900, 900 pounds. There
Is also large quantity of oleomargarine used,
and this commodity is growing element in
opposition to any verv marked increase in the
price of butter, and is in fact taking the
place of inferior grades. The English de-
mand for butter is nearly equalled by the
supply, and large quantities from America
would tend to overstock the market and re-
duce prices. In view of these facts Mr.. Will
lard points to the South American States,
where butter sells readily and at very high
figures. Danish butter put up by English
merchants is sent there at great profit. The
method of packing is to seal few pounds in
an air-proof tin case. Put up thus it suffers
nothing by the sea voyage, and when opened
the small quantity contained in each case
can be used before the quality deteriorates.
As an offset to the expense of putting up
butter in this way it is sufficient to state that
dollar pound and upwards is not an in
frequent price in South America, while the
market is one that naturally belongs to us
and can be taken. In conclusion Mr.. Will
lard urges the wisdom and necessity of ex-
porting only the finest butter, and of packing
and shipping it SO that it will arrive in sound
condition.-B0ston Journal.