Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-10-19
Production OF Meat, Butter and Cheese
In the Province OF Quebec.

Hon. Ed. A. Barnard, the provincial
director of agriculture, has addressed by re-
quest memorandum to Mr.. Chapleau, the
commissioner of agriculture and public
works, upon the above named subject, which
contains much interesting and valuable in
formation. Starting with the statement
that Quebec does not possess the proper
breeds of cattle for the production of export
meats, while the neat stock of the province
is particularly adapted to dairying, and also
with the demonstrated fact that in order to
produce one hundred pounds of meat, live
weight, the animal must receive the same
food as is required to produce sixty-four
pounds OF butter or one hundred seventy
seven pounds of full milk cheese, Mr.. Bar
nard goes on TO show conclusively that
Quebec's interest as an agricultural province
lies in the development of her dairy interest,"
not only for home-supply but to supply the
almost unlimited export demand for dairy
goods. Quebec already possesses at least
million of dairy cows, which in the present
state of her agriculture produce for sale
in local markets and for export not less
than thirty-three millions Of pounds of but
ter, or its equivalent in cheese. This Mr..
Barnard believes could be doubled, or even
trebled, by an easily practicable improve
ment in the care of dairies, while the aver
age selling price could be advanced one
hundred per cent by more knowledge and
care in the manufacture. He states that at
present, as shown by English market reports,
Canadian butter only fetches one-third of the
price of the best European butter, and that
much of it sells only at the price of grease.
The few butter factories that have been
established in the province get about double
price for their product over that of the ordi-
nary butter in local markets. Mr.. Is arnar d
advocates an effort being made, under gov
ernment direction, to instruct the farmers of
the province in skilled butter making and
especially to stimulate the establishment of
butter factories, or, as we call them, cream
cries. This has already been done with
very good results as regards cheese manu-
ldclure, tno cHttSe ldcJOIlcS III Jne prOVlucc
having been so increased in number by the
employment of skilled workmen from On
tsrio and the states that, whereas few
years ago there were none, now at least two
hundred are in active operation, and their
number is still increasing rapidly Mr.. Bar
nard thinks that by the establishment of
butter factories, making butter and skim
cheese, a similar development may be speed
lily given to the butter industry, whereby
the revenue from the present number of
COWS may be greatly increased, and at the
same time such stimulus be given to bet
ter methods of feeding, breeding and the
general care of dairy cows as to very greatly
increase the yield of milk, Instruction in
the growing of grass and the care of pas
lures is also suggested, aud indeed this brief
memoir, which appears in a recent issue of
the excellent Quebec Journal of Agriculture,
is full of weighty matter touching the
improvement of dairy husbandry among our
neighbors over the line.