The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-10-25
Friday, October 25. 1878.
CHEESE FACTORIES.

Under this heading the Olympia
Standard FURNISHES the following inter-
ss,iny account of the beginning Of this
industry in this Territory. which is
destined to become one of our greatest
interests. We reproduce it for our
readers as being Of special interest ut
this time. in view Of ths fact that some
of our leading farmers are making ar
rangemcnts at the present time to start
factories in this county: Says an ex-
change:
1t il but few months ago that every
pound Of marketable cheese Was i'm
ported from California and the East.
It was an industry that nobody seemed
disposed to engage in, probably from
q want of knowledge Of the mode Ut
manufacture more than doubt OF lucrs-
tive returns. There are now. however,
two extensive factories in Western
Washington one in Lewis county and
the other in Jefferson. and their pro-
duct demonstrates that we are able to
coisp pete with Eastern and Cslifornis
cheese. both in quality and in price.
A few days ago through the courtesy
of Mr.. Long, the senior member OF the
firm Of Long & Birmingham, of Cha
quato, we were afforded an opportunity
Of inspecting the factory at that place,
and of witnessing the process OF cheese
manufacture. 10 its several different
stages. The factory occupies the large
building once the court house. and lat.
terly the Grange warehouse. which has
been remodeled TO serve its present
purpose.
The main room is used for the manu-
facture of cheese, and the large back
room, for storing them. They are
placed siugly on long shelves arranged
in tiers and occupy the whole center OF
the room. Morrow passages are left to
render every part accessible. for the
cheese is not ready TO market when
placed on the shelves, but must undergo
. long and careful process Of "sesson-
ing" which occupies several months.
Here we found upwards Of six hundred
cheeses of various sizes and In different
stages of perfection. each neatly sten-
ciled with the date Of manu- fActure. pre-.
sentiug in their rich golden color. .
sight that would arouse the longines
of the most dainty cpicure.
The milk for the Clsquato factory il
furnished twice day from the "dAiry
farms" Of the neighborhood, which now
number seven. besides Mr.. Longs herd
Of fifty heed. It 10 emptied from the
cans into receptacle that stands on
platform scales, where It is carefully
weighed, and then drawn of into q
large zinc-lined vat, suspended in ws.
ter kept 1t high uniform temperature
by long furnace underneath. Here
the ourd 10 formed aud the acid princi.
pie developed while il undergoes the
several delicate manipulatious before il
il ready to salt. color. and place in the
press. The presses stand in row and
are operated BY scrsws.a great improve
ment over the old style press. but
Messrs. Long & Birmingham expect to
introduce new press that will do the
work Of those now 10 use ct . single
operation. In IL. the checses ere placed
each on top Of another, and power is
given ct the end of the machine, Civ
ing . uniform pressure to the whole
mass. They Likewise intend to intro
duce steam as . heating agency and
motor next season.
One feature connected with the fac
tory attracts the attention of al the
visitors, and that il the scrupulous re-
gard for clsdnliness. and this We believe
to be one OF the great secrets Of making
good cheese. Nothing 10 moro suscep.
tible of tsint than milk, and to keep il
fresh and pure requires close attention
to every detail. The long experience
Of Mr.. Birmingham enables him 70
detect impurities almost 1t = glance.
but instruments are ct hand for detect
ing adolterstion or impurity.
Ths Clsquato factory has bean In op~
Grafton . little over year. during
which Il has used 283. 246 lbs milk, pro.
ducing about one pound Of cheese to
ten Of milk. Mr.. Birmingham had,
for several years. charge Of Eve facto.
ries in Cauada. and subsequently, served
in the capacity Of buyer for the En.
glish market. position requiring thor.
ough knowledge Of the trade to Gil il 90.
ceptably. 1t Is his intention to extend
the business ~ fast % circumstances
will warrant. and he 10 ready to estab-
lish factories 1t 40 many points ~ The
extent Of the herds may justify. One
in Chshalis county is already contem.
plated. and doubtless many other CON.
manities will avail themselves Of his
experience. when il Is known that be
- ready to entertain propositions 10,
the general superintendence Of factor.
les. This resource 10 in rapid develop
ment. and In . isw years. Il 10 safe te
predict that it will constitute one O,
our chief products for export.
HN