Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-12-14
THE BUSINESS OF oA,ay,No.

| fAxss. Ne.
THE BUSINESS OF oAlRvIN0.
The annual state conference Of dairy
men witch assembled In Bangor last
week, again brings the dairy business to
the front. The price Of dairy products
for the year, more especially butter, has
ruled somewhat lower than has before
b. en- the case for long time. This has
caused some nnessiness with producers,
and among certain class, shaken cou-
ndence In the business and raised the
question whether after all the dairy Il
not going to be crowded to the wall by
Western competition, as the beef, pork
and grain-raising hiss before it. We
have not looked upon the situation for
the past year as specially discoursging
TO the dairy industry.
The country for several years past has
been experiencing sliding scale OF
lower values for all kinds Of products,
whether from the soil, mill or workshop.
Products Of the dairy have been among
the last 10 reach the bottom. Even now
these products are not so low In value as
much OF the merchandise for which they
are exchanged. Further they are not so
low In value but there s still margin
OF profit between the cost OF production
and the market value, provided from
nov aud bin TO COW, churn and butter
carrier, the lessons OF the day are
sharply applied.
Can any dsiryman who has been feel
ing growing aistrast Of the business
frame any reason ~hy the business Of
dsirying should sustain its former stand
ard OF values io The face Of the fact that
sweeping depression has laid its de-
| msnds on everything elses IL Is simply
folly 10 entertain any such idea. So,
also, IL Is weakness to allow faith in the
business to be shaken on account of the
slight shrinkage the past year. Butter
viii be In demand so long xs there are
people 10 feed, and no fears need be felt
but the fruit Of the dairy, in proportion
to cost, viii maintain lis full position
slongs siGe Of other productions. Indeed,
even better than this, for knowledge aud
skill are involved In their production,
and the more these factors are mix.d
with the product, the greater the
premium that product will command on
the market. Hence, the production Of
choice butter mus; always remain, ss IL
now Is, one o; the most profitable lines
Of work for the intelligent farmer.
To maintxin this position. frst-clsss
work must be done. Ia our dairy work
10 this state, and especially In its ssso-
clA,ed forms, We have had altogether
too much Of the opposite. Factories and
dAirymen must bring their work up 10 .
higher standard. Following the old
trodden paths which have led only to an
inferior product and an Improbable
business, must be discontinued and an
advanced position taken. DIirymen and
factory mansxrrs must be progressive.
We are making know ledge rapidly In this
business, and he Who fails 10 keep
abreast Of what Is going on will soon
get left"
Dairymeu must read, reason, study,
Investigate aud improve methods, ss the
knowledge gsinec dir cts the way. All
Who are In any Way concerned In the
business must avail them selves OF all op-
portunities and helps 20 better practices.
Better work can essily be done In this
state when ali hands are alive TO Its
necessity.
10 the line OF apparatus and appliances
for carrying on dairy work, through the
latest methods, invcutive genius and me
chAnical skill are kes ping fully abreast
OF the beat Knowledge Of the business.
Let no dairy man or fxctoryman In this
day Of progress accept for moment the
idea that be now has the best that can
DC devised. Rather he should always be
on the alert TO find something better.
Progress-going on 10 better things, IL
now the demand OF the dairy business.
There IL no room for stale goods, old
methods or out Of date appliances. Keep
up with the advances being made In the
business by utilizing the best machinery
which skilled hands and fertile brains
can devise. never forgetting that the
pathway TO prosperity will be found
only In using 10 the best advantage all
possible knowledge and experience OF all
the Inventions, labor saving and pront
making machines OF the day. No ex-
cuse Is necessary for devotinG so much
space 70 this question At the present
time, for the reason that IL IL and must
be the leading industry Of the farmers OF
Maine. Not all men can be dairymen
and other interests will receive equal at
sention later Maine Farmer.
euFeAlo RAISING IN WISCONSIN.
Albert and Charles Huber, living .
few miles south Of Durand, Wis, have
herd OF about Twenty-Five full blood
bison and some eighteen crossed bulls
aud heifers, bison and native cows.
About six years ago they were hunting
in the western part of North Dakota ana
succeeded in capturing alive three young
bison, bull and tao cows, and these
they brought TO their farm here. The
animals grew and thrived amazingly,
and are pastured In an inclosure OF about
four hundred acres, running down 10 the
valley OF Rose Cre,k, where they have
ample room and shelter. Experiments
we're early made with crossed breeds,
and IL has now been found that the cross
Is very successful, the half-breed com
oinipy the dociiity OF the domestic sns-
mails With the endurance aud large size
Of the bison. They are also very nne
fur producers, and grow 70 maturity 10
less time than domestic cattle. Inc
f,esh of crossed animals Is very palstaoie,
and the fur has all the good qualities OF
that OF the bison. and Is softer and more
siIky. The crossed bloods can also STAND
far mere exposure In winter than can
the native cos.-Colmsn's Rural Worio-
A fac, not IN De lost sight OF Is, that
In the National Grange this year Maine
stood second In point OF additions 70
membership, beiOg beaten only oy New
York.
How will it look 70 read that Maine