The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1908-08-22
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souri,, Kansas and Nebraska. Taking
Kansas as an illustration, it is found
that the number of creameries declined
from 1873 in 1900 to 81 in 1905, while in
Minnesota in the same period there
was an increase from 582 to 905. The
decrease in Kansas is attributed to dis
satisfaction and distrust on the part of
the party with the central creamery, to
the low prices paid, the poor quality of
the butter, the killing of the small
creameries, and the loss of all immedi-
ate contact between the farmer and the
owner of the business. The increase
in Minnesota can be accounted for by
just the reverse set of conditions. The
loss to Kansas farmers during the last
year on account of the low prices alone
is estimated at 81, 900, 900. If Kansas
had made $4,000, 900 pounds of butter,
as it should, instead of 1900, 900, the
income to the State would have been,
on the same basis of valuation, at least
$12, 600, 900 greater than it is for the
present year, and there would have
been no less wheat, corn, alfalfa, beef,
pork or any other crop raised. The
reason why Kansas is not on par with
Minnesota, Iowa and other great dairy
States is because the industry has been
promoted from the centralizer stand |
point and not for the interests of the
farmer. Fifteen years ago Kansas and
Minnesota stood nearly equal with re-
gard to the creamery industry. Now
is not only far ahead in vol
ume of production, but the Minnesota
farmer gets 6 to 7 cents pound more
for butter fat than does the Kansas
farmer. What has been said of Kansas
applies in general also to Missouri,
Iowa and Nebraska.
Investigation has shown that the
highest grade Of butter is made only
from whole milk delivered to the
creamery fresh every day. This ispos-
sible only when there are local cream
cries at convenient distances. The
longer the time between milking and
churning the poorer the quality of the
butter. Shipping cream by railroad
except for very short distances is det-
rimental to the quality of the butter.
The centralizers, on account of re-
ceiving cream from long distances are
unable to turn out as high-grade prod
uct as the local concerns that use fresh
er cream, but they are usually man.
aged SO as to get every possible cent of
revenue from their material. They use
the most improved methods of manu-
facture, get a maximum overrun, and
prevent loss in every possible way.
The small creameries, on the other
hand, are often very lax in these mat
tiers, but by reason of the superior
quality of their product and their prac-
tice of giving full returns to the farm
ers they are still able to pay 6 or z
cents pound more for butter fat. BY
no means do all of the small creameries
make fancy butter, however. Some of
them have doubtless succumbed largely
Because of losses which might have been
by better methods.
There can be no doubt that TIE
tendency of the centralizing system is
badfo both the farmer and the public.
The effect is to exact high prices from
the consumer and to pay low prices to
the farmer, the profits going to the
large operators who control the situa-
ton. The small local cooperative
creameries should be encouraged. The
Dairy Division is already endeavoring
to assist the small creameries to avoid
losses by low overrun, loose methods,
etc., and to improve the quality of their
product where this is defective, by its
service of inspecting and reporting on
the butter as it arrives on the market,
as hereinbefore described. In order
that the farmers may receive proper
returns for their product, there should
be material improvement in the quail
ity Of the butter as found upon the
This can best be accomplished
by encouraging local creameries, better
methods of manufacture, and greatest
Of all, a discrimination as to quality in
the markets. Butter is not bought on
the basis of quality, as it should be,
but the tendency is more and more in
that direction. The chief handicap is
the lack of inspectors. The work Of
the division already shows that national
supervision Of interstate trade in butter
would operate greatly to the benefit of
the creameries. The cost of Federal
would not be as great as
might be at first supposed. A careful
estimate based on experience already
gained shows that rs men could handle |