The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-11-05
THE DAIRYMEN.
A Paper That Was Read at Their Last
Meeting.

,r Sn"iihul ana uentlelnen OF the
travis County Dairymen's Association
In The Austin Daily Statesman of the
10Th inst. appears an article from Mr.
CHARLES klunkert, which was presented
TO our association at a called meeting last
Saturday night.
The matter in question purports to ex-
plain the conditions of existing low prices
of dairy products in the city; to propose
a scheme, the operation of which would
offer means of disposing of the alleged
surplus milk now forced upon an over
stocked market. ..
Also, the writer incidentally takes oc-
casion to register a protest against the
proposed DEMONSTRATING in some manner
obtained wrong notion of the subject of
taXation-the object being to tax milk
hacks, not dairy products. Mr.. Kun
kert also records prophecy as to the ul-
innate futilty of the present attempt to
further the dairy interests and to widen
that non-competitive, fraternal attach
ment which, in courtesy, is assumed to
exist among members of the same calling
and between kindred callings.
1t will be observed that we do not pre-
sent this paper in a controversial spirit,
neither is it brought as an answer to the
gentleman.
We ask, simply, that we be permitted
to call the attention of yourself Mr..
Chairman, and the members of this asso-
citation, to the fact that the price of milk
and its converted products has not been
materially affected by the alleged hard
times. At any rate, the gradual reduc-
ton in prices is not directly traceable to
this source, but to other and more potent
causes, since the undersigned have been
engaged in the dairy business in the city.
Nor, is it believed, that separators have
cxerted a cheapening influence. AS a
matter of fact, there was not a separator
in use by any leading sweet milk dairy for
more than Il year after June. 1S93-Alr.
Klunkert's starting point.
In every line of legitimate business
there exists Il species of competition
which can not be met by ordinary bust
ness methods. There are also multi
tude of conditions and influences affect
ing prices. The qualities, supply and de-
mand. which can not be entirely known
by anyone and, at best, slightly recog-
nizcd by many. There are those who
attribute certain changes to remote and
actually ineffective causes. The paper
under discussion presents an instance i'll
point
1t will be remembered that in the late
pring of 1S94-not June, 1893, the date
named by Mr. Klunkert-many causes
became operative in affecting the prices
of milk.
There were changes in the ownership
and, more especially, in the management
of many of the best diaries in the city.
New men were admitted into the bust
ness: new methods were introduced;
new policy was pursued with respect to
the periodic dairymen; the conditions of
feed and cattle combined to make the
production of milk slightly cheaper; the
| last struggles of certain dairy on the
verge of bankruptcy had no little infiu-
ence on prices: the failure of Il certain
large dairy to secure an expected state
| contract and the more active and closer
| competition consequent upon the INTRO
| luction of new men in the business may
| be named as the chief and controlling
| tauscs in the reduction of prices.
| In the autumn of 1894, more particular
" than in the spring, many new diaries
were started. the cheapness and great
abundance of feed being the prime fac
tor considered AS it was an old es-
tablshed condition for prices to
summer minimum. it was matter OF
CONSERVATION to many of the less
thoughtful men engaged in the dairy bus
mess here to see prices continue TO de-
cline far into the winter the reaction
| in fact, not occurring until i'll January
and February. 1885, and then not reach
ing what from previous years could be
considered normal prices. mat winter
occurred the meeting of the legislature
and there seemed to exist, as Z hia'tcr
of common consent among the less con-
servative and active men engaged III the
business a disposition to meet any prices
quoted by men just starting III the bllsi-
ness. Hence, when the spring OF 1919
arrived with an abundance OF early grass
and feed cheaper than known for years,
the prevailing prices of milk were so low
that but slight cutting occurred, whlie
already sharp competition became herce
and quality in the article soiai rather
than the selling price, became the more
effective factor with the patronage.
1t NAV not be amiss to now revert TO
the fact that there We're ut that time
men in the business who found 1t lmpos,,
sible TO adapt themselves to the changed
and changing conditions.
They may have been lacking in the nee
essary foresight to prepare Tor the EN-
gencies which confronted them' tney
may have been deficient IN business Juus-
ment in dairying, or may not nave pos,
scssed the capacity to steadily please ana
retain an eXacting and exclusive patron
are. and it is a matter of common knowl-
edge that while some did actually increase
their business and add cows to their
doiries. others as stcadfastly Followed
nossibly a more heroic. but evidently less
fortunate measure-selling cows to the
butcher, characterized by Mr.. hlunkere
MS weedng-out process If the ears oil
this boot shall fit any OF your nnserS
YOU may pull it on.
If NAV not be out of place TO consider
for n moment some of the more progleS-
siye measures followed by those who. CON
time to find profit in the dairy business.
while we leave ii TO others to point ont
=, more profitable and less laborons 0c-
cunntion to those who begrudge any com
prtitor a living and have nothing TO- rub
their dollar against ut the end oil tle
month
If is not an evidence of good business
in d,irying TO sell cows to the butcher
# they are not replaced by better ones
If is. however, an indication OF CROWN
in the wrong direction.
Possibly the most potent factor "hter
inc into The success of those who do flnd
tho dairy business rcmuneratiye is TO be
fnnnd in the fact that in every properly
ro",Ilatn barn only the best cows add
materially TO the feed bill. while the IN
different cattle, lacking Ill prou"etloh'
also lack in costly feed
Again. wisely directed efforts III adding
to The milk output lessons the cost oil
| production in exact proportion TO the
puontity of milk sold, l. e., the ratio OF
cost in producing each gallon OF mix Is
| I'm