The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-03-01

loss imam TWO decades ago. when dairy
ing In South Dakota was one Of the al
most wholly untried resources Of the
state. but there were few far-sighted
farmers who had visions of what the
future Of such an industry might be "
care and attention were given to 1t in
. country where grazing land was
cheap and hay, grain and fodder of all
kinds were abundant.
For fifteen years dairying has been
growing steadily in importance, and
long ago passed the stage of expert
ment Some of the most enthusiastic
supporters of this industry claim that
It will eventually become the chief az
racultural interest in the state, be-
cause, as the population increases and
the lands are all held by private indi-
viduals, live stock can no longer feed
from the free ranges or wide pastures,
but must be confined within compare
lively narrow limits, and the dairy
herds will prove to be vastly more
profitable than those raised for mar
ket. This prophecy, of course. may
never be fulfilled, but there can be NJ,
doubt that dairying will always hold
prominent place in the agricultural
interests Of the state.
In the days of encouragement and
hardship which followed period of
artificial imitation of prices. it was the
products of the dairy which helped
many farmer to regain all that he
had lost when he had placed his sole
reliance uptr his wheat or grain crop
only t6 have .. a partial or entire fail
ure. About fifteen years ago the
scheme of cooperative separator
creameries was started, and it became
extremely popular, as it seemed to be
the most advantageous way of utiliz-
ing the milk and cream produced in
considerable quantities on nearly ev-
cry farm. There were over $50 of
these creameries established, and usu-
ally they had successful career, for
they brought prosperity to their pat
rops and seemed to instil new cour-
age in communities where people were
disheartened by the trials and hard
ships Of pioneer life. Most of these
creameries are still in operation. and
last year their product exceeded ST.
000, 900 in value
Many Individual Plants.
Today, in addition to the co-opera-
tive creameries, there are many indi-
vidual plants with up.to-date machin-
cry and processes, where many tons
of butter are produced annually. On
many Of the dairy farms we find that
there are the latest improved hand
separators, which are in constant use,
and in this way shipping expenses are
reduced, as the cream alone is sent to
churning plants either in the state or
in nearby, cities of other states. A bet
ter price is often thus obtained for
the butter fat than could have been
secured from the local country mer,
chant, had the churning been done at
the farm.
A few years ago there were several
/ ventures made in establishing in CEN
trail locations large crealneries, which
would draw their supply of milk from
farms within wide radius. and for
time it seemed as If they would be
more successful than any of the older
establishments, but many circum-
stances combined eventually to cause
their failure in most cases.
The state government has wisely
taken steps to protect the dairy farm.
er, and to keep the standard of all
dairy products up to a high grade of
excellence. The state dairy and pure
food commissioner has the supervision
of all these interests and issues IL
censes to all professional buttermak-
ers. The law requires that all cream
cries must report to him the amount
Of butter produced, the prices paid and
all supplies brought to them. The pen
alties for adulteration of dairy prod
ucts are very heavy, and every effort
is made to keep the law In force.
According to reports Of the dairy
and pure food commission, which GOV.
cred eighty-eight creameries, the dairy
farmers received 81 1894. 503.SO in 1905
for the supplies which they furnished
creameries. This would mean that the
average price was Is cents per hun
dred for milk which yielded in test
SIS per cent Of butter fat.
Makes Rapid Progress.
Dairying is now a very prevalent in
dustry in all of the counties east of
the Missouri river, but there are some
localities where it is especially promi-
nent. Grant county Is good example
of the latter class. Its population In
1906 numbered almost 10000, and dur
ing the past year it has made rapid
progress. The soil is very fertile and
well watered by small streams flowing
into the Minnesota. Numerous lakes
dot the surface Of the county, adding
much to the general attractiveness as
well as being of inestimable value in
the agricultural enterprises. The Chi
cage, Milwaukee &. st. Paul and the !lt.
Great Northern cross the county, CIV
'inT It most excellent transportation IA
entities and reasonable shipping rates.