The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-10-17
CREAMERIES.
SOME FACTS ABOUT THEM FROM THE
AGRICULTURAL AND MECHAN-
ICAL COLLEGE BULLETIN.
Cost Per Pound Of Making Creamery
Butter and Other Items of
Interest.

the Agricultural and Mechanical col
lege at Bryan, and they are of interest
just now to Austin people:
AS compared with the average
farm dairy, the creamery
system means a great saw
ing of time and labor which is apt
to fall upon the weaker portion of the
household in making butter at home.
The question of time and labor re-
quired in the home dairy should be
counted in the cost of butter product,
and, when so counted, there will be
found much smaller net profit to the
producer of homemade butter than is
generally supposed. Concentration of
purpose and combination of dairy sup
ply, as in case OF creameries, all Dws
the manufacture of butter at less
cost per pound and secures a double
advantage by reason of makinga more
uniform and better product, which
commands better price.
The fact that creameries, if success
fully developed, will create Il demand
for milk, and that this demand will
stimulate the breeding of better COWS,
and must ultimately result in more
profitable system of farming generally
is, in itself, a potent argument in favor
OF full development of creameries in
Texas.
The advantage to any town and to
its merchants is readily seen. In the
cotton-growing country, especially,
for a considerable portion of the year
there is little or no money in circula-
ton among farmers. Creameries, if
successfully developed, will largely
change this condition of things and
keep money in circulation throughout
the year.
Merchants can we'll afford to sub
scribe literally for creamery stock,
knowing that the enterprise will add
to the general prosperity of the town
and bring increased custom on cash
basis to themselves. Where cream
cries in the south have been in sue
cesSful operation for several years
leading merchants do not hesitate to
say that they could afford to build a
creamery every three years rather
than lose the increased business and
prosperity which the creamery has
brought to their doors.
AS financial investment small
dividends should be expected for the
first year or two. 1t will take some
time to develop confidence and secure
II supply of milk large enough to be
handled with profit, and those who in
vest in creameries in Texas should do
so with a determination to stand their
ground until this tryingperiod is sue
cessfully passed.
Admitting the value of creameries
to the whole country, it is only neces-
sary to consider:
LIST. The plan of organization and
control, and
ID The different systems of cream
ing, with view to selecting that most
economical and best adapted to our
climate and conditions.
COST OF CREAMERY BUTTER.
The actual cost per pound of manu-
facture, not counting interest on in
vestment, will vary from 4 to 10
cents, and will depend upon the
amount of milk furnished by patrons
Thus, if an amount of milk sufficient |
to make 100 pounds of butter a day is
to Il creamery equipped |
with machinery and working force to
handle 200 pounds daily the cost per
pound will be exactly double what it |
would be ii run up to its full capacity. |
This is another strong point in favor
of co-operation-all will be interested |
to secure as nearly as possible the full
of milk which the creamery
can handle.
The actual cost of manufacture
under average conditions should not
exceed or 6 cents per pound exclusive
Of interest on investment, and here
will be seen the effect of large or
small investment on the ultimate fail
IRE or success of creamery plant.
An investment of $1,000 means an
annual interest at 10 per cent of $500.
Ii the creamery makes $4,000 pounds
If butter annually the investment
llone adds l cent per pound to the
'ost of manufacture. Lessen the in
'estment to 81, 800, and, while appear
lnces may be sacrificed somewhat, the
will make just as much but
,er of just as good quality, and the in
'estment adds but ! cent per pound
% the cost of manufacture.
We have already mentioned the
,reat advantages of creameries to mer-
hants and towns generally by reason
# keeping money in circulation dur
ng That portion of the year when
money is scarce, and this fact may in
ONE measure excuse too lavish in
estment by subscription on the part
# merchants. Under present prices
or labor and material there is no
necessity for an investment of more
han s., 800, or at the outside $4,000,
n creamery plant, and whatever is
dded to this amount may be set down
S in no wise adding to its efficiency.
Experience in operating the cream
ries in the gulf states indicates the
necessity of modifying the plants
which have been found desirable in a
higher latitude.