The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-11-25

Probably the discovery of butter was
due to the nomadic habits of patri-
erchal age. Their wealth consisted of
nocks and herds whose needs compelled
frequent change of habitation. The
milk carried in goat and sheepskin bot
ties, would be well shaken about anti
the particles of butter would appear.
At first they would be regarded as OBJ
jectionable, to be next recognized as
being the best of the milk, and 6nallv
sought for and arti6cially pro-
duced. Perhaps the primary use
of butter would be external, but by
some process of discovery like unto
Charles Lamb roast pig: the merits of
this beautiful dainty would be revealed
It may be that the earlier churning al
ways took place on the back of the
camel or the ass, until it dawned upon
the minds of our forefathers that the
shaking was the secret of the process,
not who performed it. In Van Len
nep's "Jravels in Little Known Parts
of Asa Minor" is picture of a churn
still to be found there. though mention
cd by Herodotus. This consists of the
trunk of tree followed out like tube,
but closed at both ends, and having 4
hole at the top. This vessel hangs by
two strings. and is swung backward
and forward by a young girl till the
butter comes. The same writer tells
how the Scythians blinded their slaves,
and made them sit round the hollow
wooden milk vessels, and stir Tor
swing) them round and round. The
stuff that rises to the top is skinned.
and considered more valuable than
what sinks to the bottom. Hippocrates
is more definite in his description, for
he says that 1.-The Scythians pour mares
M TX into wooden vessels, which thew
shake, thereby the parts are separated.
and the fat, which they call bontyroH,
being light, swims to the top phile the
heavier portion, sinking to the bottom,
is taken out, dried, and thickened, and
is then called horse-cheese; in the mid
die is the whey
1t does not appear that the Greeks
aught Of butter, or if they did it must
have. been by mere hearsay, for there is
no mention of it. Aristotle, though he
speaks very fully of milk, never men,
tons butter. But later on one or two
writer's make reference to it, in each
case, however, being most careful to
explain the meaning of the word
''butyrum,' and the origin and use of
the article. At this period there are a
few references to butter as a medica-
mcnt. Plny indicates the greater lux
uriancc of his day b: telling how that
the more cultured races used butter,
and also milk and eggs, in the making
OF pastry.
Our present form of butter is due to
the north German races. and it is re-
markable that the zone wherein beer is
used is that where the fat consumed is
largely in the form of butter. Thus
northern Europe has been spoken of as
beer and butter land, while southern
Europe is spoken Of as a wine and oil
land. In the warmer portions of this
northern or butter zone butter is eaten
fresh, while in colder districts it is pre-
fcrred salte:i. In some places food, in
stead of being served with the, Iice
which we miscall melted butter. Is ac-
tualiy sent 10 table with liquid butter.
The Scandinavians call butter smear,
and salvc is an ancient German name
for butter, while in Sclavonic districts
the same name denominates butter and
oil