Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-02-08
LETTER TO THE EDITOR.
ELerN, ILLINOIS,
Jan. 25, 1879.

Jan. 20, 1919.
Editor Register-Dear Sir-I have
been very much grati6ed to read in the
Register that you have at last succeeded
in getting q railroad built to the Old
Unterrifed, and now there is one more
thing / wish to see, and that is the es-
tablishment OF several creameries and
cheese factories. l have great faith in
COWS and cheese, and believe there is
millions in it for the farmers who are
wide awake enough to go into the busi-
ness. 1t has added TO the wealth OF the
people here, in Wisconsin, and wher-
ever. they have gone into it, and am
fully satisfied that the farmers of Jeifer-
son county can make it a paying bust
ness, and thereby better their condition
financially, and improve their lands and
stock.
On Wednesday and Thursday, Janu-
ary 22 aud %, attended the meeting
of the Wisconsin Dairymen's Associa-
ton, and learned from men there enga-
ged in the business, how they were rid
iculcd few years ago when they deter
mined to quit the uncertainties of grain
farming and 60 into the dairy business.
Their neighbors said they would starve,
and they knew they would if they did
not change from grain to dairying. The
change was made, and to-day those men
are Independent, and their incredulous
neighbors found that they also must
change, or they would be unable to
make both ends meet. They did change
and added great wealth to their farms
and section, and to-day the State ranks
next to Illinois in the quantity, value
and quality Of her dairy product.
While at the convention / met j. j.
Smith, of Tomah, who lately visited
your section and talked with the farm.
ers in regard to establishing cheese and
butter factories. I had long conver-
sation with him, and learned from him
that be was highly pleased with his
visit, with the people, and the country,
and is of the opinion that your citizens
need only to be worked up on this mat
ter, and convinced that there is money
in it, and then they will all want to go
into the business.
At your suggestion, Mr.. Editor, |
wrote to Mr.. Smith, in December last,
telling him of the country, the people,
the markets, etc, and he told me that,
although / was quite good at descrip-
tive writing, yet l had failed to do the
country justice, for be found it much
better than / had described. He thinks
the springs around town-Morgan's,
Boteler's and Aglionby's-are all that
any factory man could ask for, and that
if they were up North they would COM
mand an almost fabulous price.
He Is satisfied that the immediate
vicinity of Shepherdstown is in every
respect fully adapted for dairying, having
the water, the grasses, the rolling lard,
and stone in abundance for building
purposes. He says if he was twenty
years younger he would have creamery
in operation by May, and that he would
be able to sell all the butter he could
make in Washington and Baltimore,
and furthermore he says that in five
years more from now the whole valley
would be engaged in the dairy business,
and it will do more to build up the
country than anything else. lie was
well pleased with the kind treatment
extended to him, and we chatted over
affairs concerning the old town, as if
we had both been raised there.
The short winters is what pleases any
dalryman and was surprised. to learn
that fall pasture could be used until
quite late in the season, and on that ac-
count the country is better for dairying
than it is in New York or in the West
Keep on Mr.. Editor, and do not stop
until you see factory established, and
others will follow. The long, hard
struggle you had to secure railroad
and the gallant fight made for it by the
Register, induces me to hope that in
this new enterprise you will also be sue
cessful Perseverance will accomplish
the work and l know you possess that
requisite.
In 1870 saw the first butter factory
started in this section and to-day there
are more than so of them within ra-
dius of fifteen miles of the city. / pre-
dicted in 1870, when / urged the build
ing of the first creamery, that in less
than ten years there would be thirty or
more in successful operation, and we
have nearly doubled that number.
There is always a good demand for
creamery made butter at fair. remuners-
tive prices, and as your people csn get
their goods into the Baltimore or Wash
ington markets the same day they are
shipped, they will never have any trou-
bic to sell them.
Work up citizens of Shepberdstown,
seize the opportunity TO better your con
dition, and remember that God ID
always ready and willing to help those
who help themselves, as well in secular
as spiritual matters.
X. P. McGLINCY.