The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-03-15
WESTERN BUTTER.
Address Before Chicago Convention by
II. NJ. Washburn of Missouri.

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ton, addressed the national lconven-
ton of buttermakers at Chicago in
part as follows:
The time was when western butter
had poor place on the market
Gathered cream butter was often
pretty poor stuff. Methods of manu-
tacture changed and the time was
when western butter commanded top
price. This was when the farmer
brought the whole, sweet milk to the
factory and the operator made the
cream as we'll as the butter. Now
the time is when the buyer wishes to
be shown the goods if they are from
the west. There is no lodging the
TACT that very large per cent of the
butter made in our western cream
cries is poor, poor because the cream
from which it is made is poor. See-
ing this, it has been the pleasure of
many writer's to take whack at the
farmer, holding him responsible for
all this trouble and loss. The truth
OF the matter is, the separator agent
and the creamery managers are more
to blame than the farmer for the
poor cream that the farmers send in.
There is no question about the hand
separator being an economical in
strument for the farmer who sells
cream. So long as this remains true
there is no use in trying to keep him
from using. one. Neither should we
try, for anything which makes more
money for the producer will encour-
age him to stay in the business. This
lnsures continuance of work for the
manufacturer and greater business.
Moreover it is both theoretically
and practically possible to make just
as good butter from hand separator
cream. Yet the fact remains that
such good butter is not usually made.
The farmer has been scolded and
shamed at and thoroughly clam
basted" for not taking better care of
his cream, with what result? Poor
cream continues to come and bad but
ter continues to go. ~.-
The hand separator agents who
have taught and are still teaching the
farmers that once or twice a week is
often enough to wash their particular
make of machine should be the first
men laid out, and with them the CON-
pany they represent, for allowing them
to do this thing which in most cases is
against the orders of the house. So
much has been said on this point and
the agents themselves know the truth
so we'll that was surprised at learn
ing from one whose word cannot be
questioned that at the implement
dealers convention in Kansas City,
Mo-, a representative of this nipple.
ments Dealers convention was heard
to tell farmer that his machine was
washed with the crank" We all
know, and he knew, that any and all
machines, or tools used about milk
must be we'll washed if first class
goods are to be produced, or in
other words, this man then and there
sold his honor as an honest man for
the price of his commission on
separator. For temporary personal
gain he jeopardizes the whole indus
try. Is it not almost time the state
dairy inspectors were placed on the
trail Of these men, and at least pub
!
when such criminal nearsightedness is
practiced? Their teaching is more
filthy and greater source of evil than
the farmers dirty barn.
The second man to be slain is the
creamery manager, for he, though
bowling most Justify, is, after all, the
chief offender. He lies in accepting
at first class prices cream which no
mortal man could make into good
butter. In fact the competition among
the creameries of the west has been
too keen for the permanent welfare of
any, even the producers. During the
past two years their mad chase for
more business has led all to take anv
old stuff named cream, and what is
worse: pay good cream price for it.
There is in man a trait which keeps
him from putting into any article any
more work than is necessary to get
the price out of it, and why should
he? Last summer the creamery COM
panies sent out personal appeals and
instructions by the car load to the
farmers to take better care of the
cream, but to no use.
In little town in eastern Kansas
one day last summer farmer
brought in can of ideal cream.
This man was we'll known as neat
farmer. While he--stood there talking
to the station operator slovenly, UNI
kempt, dirty farmer came in with
some cream as badly off flavor as