Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-07-24

year on account Of the low prices alone
is estimated at s1.0oo0o0. If Kansas
had made 50.O00,000 pounds of butter
as it should, instead of 100000, the
income to the state would have been
on the same basis of valuation, at
least $12,000,000 greater than 1t is for
the present year. and there would have
been no less wheat, corn, alfalfa, beef,
pork, or any other crop raised. Inc
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
Minnesota is not only far ahead in vol
ume of production, but the Minnesota
farmer gets to cents a pound more
for butter fat than does the Kansas
farmer. What has been said of Kansas
applies in general also to Missouri.
southern Iowa, and Nebraska
Long Haul Affects Butter Quality.
Investigation has shown that the
highest grade OF butter is made only
from whole milk delivered to the
creamery fresh every day. This Is
possible only where there are local
creameries at convenient distances.
The longer the time between milking
and churning the poorer the quality OF
the butter. Shipping cream by rail-
road except for very short distances Is
detrimental to the quality of the but
ter.
THE centralzers, on account of re-
ceiving cream from long distances, are
unable to turn out as high-grade pro-
duct as the local concerns that use
fresher cream, but they are usually
managed so as to get every possible
cent of revenue from their materlal.
They use the most improved methods
of manufacture, get maximum over
run. and prevent loss in every possible
way. The small creameries, on the
other hand, are often very lax In these
matters, but by reason of the superior
quality Of their product and thelr
practice OF giving full returns TO the
farmers they are still able to pay 8 or
7 cents a pound more for butter rat.
BY no means do all of the small
creameries make fancy butter. howev-
err. Some of them have doubtless sue
cumbed largely because of losses when
might have been prevented by better
methods.
Centralized System Bad.
"There can be no doubt that the ten
dency of the centralizing system Is bad
for 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 sltua-
ton. The small local cooperative
creameries should be encouraged. The
dairy division is already endeaVorlns
to assist the 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 1t arrives on the market,
as hereinbefore described. In order that
the farmers may receive proper re-
turns for their product there shoulo
be a material Improvement in the
quality Of the butter as found upon
the market. This can best be accom-
plished by encouraging local creamer-
les, better methods Of manufacture
and, greatest Of all, discrimination
as to quality in the markets. Butter
is not bought on the basis of quaEtY
as it should be, but the tendency IS
more and more in that direction. Inc
chief handicap is 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 creamerles. me
cost of federal inspection would not pc
as great as might be at first supposed.
A careful estimate based on experience
already gained shows that 70 men
could handle without Difficulty TINS
work. Part Of these men could be de-
tailed to work in the field with the
creameries to give personal instruction
to those most needing it. Such instruc-
ton will be needed, especially IN pne
centralized territory where small
creameries will be established II con-
ditions make it possible. 1t is the be-
lief Of many interested in this work
that the increased returns to .creamer-
les thru suJa supervision and fnspec-
ton would result in millions OF dollars
saved to the farmer each year.
Publicity Is Urged.
publicity as to the prices received
by farmers In various sections for their
butter fat would be powerful agency
in enabling the farmers to obtain bet
ter returns from the "centralizers
The department could gather this in
formation and disseminate 1T. New
York, Chicago, and Egin quotations on
butter are NOS printed in the papers
published in the territory most affect
ed by the centralizers. Only local
quotations are published, and these are
several cents below the actual market
prices. The farmers in that territory
have no way Of finding out what the
farmers of other sections are getting"