Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-11-23
OPERATION OF
CREAMERIES
Bulletin on This Subject Issued by
Professor Elliot, Of the Agricul-
tural College.
SUGGESTIONS FOR EQUIPMENT
The Development Of Agricultural Re.
sourcs One Of the Most Import.
n to the State.
SUGGESTIONS FOR EQUIPMENT

ever Issued by the experiment sta
ton OF the Montana state college of
agriculture and mechanic arts has
just been distributed, the bulletin be-
ing one pertaining to creameries and
cheese factories In the state of Mon
tana, from the pen of w. j. Elliott,
assistant dairyman. A feature of this
bulletin is a detailed description of
a creamery and a statement as to the
best methods of organizing a company
for the operation of a creamery. The
bulletin is printed for general distri-
button and a copy can be had by APP
piication TO the experiment station.
Concerning the organization. build
ing and equipment Of creameries, the
bulletin says:
"Dairying can scarcely be said TO
be an industry in Montana, though
the natural facilities, climate, soil, wa
ter and feed. as well as the market,
are very favorable indeed. Montana
probably offers as good prices for dai.
ry products as any state in the union
and very much better than most of
The states, yet there are millions of
pounds of butter and cheese imported
into the state annually. There are
probably several reasons for this. As
a rule the farms in Montana are
large and much hired help has to be
depended upon. The successful herd
requires the supervision of the owner
which is generally possible only on
the smaller farms. Montana farms are
productive and her farmers have been
content with the smaller returns rath-
err than undertake the more exacting
demands of dairy work. The profit
able dairy herd produces milk the
round and some of the cows
to be MIXED 365 days in the
year, morning and evening. Though
the income is substantial many will
not try TO increase it at the cost of
the extra tax on their time and at
tention.
That the dairy industry may be at
tended with marked success in Mon
tana, there is ample evidence TO
A dairy herd in the Gallatin
valley last year returned its owner
sos from each COW. The feed at
market prices cost not to exceed $50
for each cow. On this basis, by sell
ing the feed to the COWS the returns
of the farm were more than doubled
as compared to selling the crop OF
the farm. These returns indicate a
good dairy herd, but that is the on.
ly kind with which a person should
attempt the business. "a
When we consider that the value
of the dairy products in the United
States amounts TO the enormous sum
OF $780, 900 900 each year, we see at
once that it is one of the largest
branches of agriculture. Its advan-
tages to those engaging in it are
many. In the first place IL is a cash
business and also a business from
which there is a little ready money
coming in all the year round, which
is infinitely better, both for the farm
err and the merchant, than having
n to two pay days a year. for in
stance, when the grain is threshed
and drawn to market, or livestock
sold. Another point is that 1t gives
employment all the year around. Just
think of the exclusive grain growing
practice for a moment and note how
all the work of the year is rushed
into a few weeks in the hottest par
OF the summer, when 1t is almost i'm
possible to get competent help. Right
there Is where the dairy industry II
a boon to the farmers ons Ii give:
them something that pays well fol
their time and employment all tbs
year round. In other words, 1t keeps
the farmer and his family busy. The,
do not need to seek employment II
the city. 1t keeps the boy on thu
farm.
Another advantage for the dair.
industry of Montana is that there ar
not long freight hauls to market
There is an unlimited market right a
home, with prices for butter ant
cheese that excel those of almost an.
other state in the union. In addition
there is a fine climate. pure water
and as good feed as can be grown
anywhere. All these are prime essen
tails for high quality butter ant
cheese.
"One of the questions that we gen
orally meet with is, What is the us,
of starting a creamery to make NOR,
butter, when W. can not find a maj
ket for that which we are making OF
our ranches now?' The reason tina
a ready market can not be found TO
the ranch butter Is simply because |
Is hard to find any two lots OF butte
in a community that r exactly tn
same in every respect. But where al
the farmers bring their cream or mil
to a central plant, and have a skille'
butter or cheese maker turn out a ur
form article. there is not the leas
difficulty in disposing, right In on
state, OF all the butter and cheese tina
fifty plants could turn out.
I'VE do not wish for a moment {
give only the bright side of the dali
industry, for there is a work side a
SO. It is Just like any other business
To make money out of 1t requires car
and attention.
ut requires carr and selection !
handling the cows. care in the fee
ing. care in the handling of the mill
and car over all these things for
months in the year.
But there is no other branch OF far
work that will pay better, for III
care and attention you give it, tina
the dairy business. Far better tina
selling the farm crops at the ~prevaleI
market prices. sell them through III
COW and the milk pail. and you wi
realize just double market prices fC
your crop.
THE creamery or cheese factor
business like any other manufactu
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