Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1911-05-23
CREAMERIES IN ]
W. VA.
Warning Against Too Hasty ;
Organization
BY DR.. c. A. Lueder,
instructor in Dairying, West Vir-
ginia University.

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The state of West Virginia has the
finest bluegrass grazing lands IN the
United States. The markets of the
state are second to none in the coun
try for dairy products. With suct
conditions it would seem that dairyins
ought to prosper in many parts OF the
state; that there ought to be prosper
oss milk dairies near every city ane
that in the more remote sections o.
the state butter-making creamer1es
ought to be very profitable for al
concerned.
Creamery Promoters.
Only two creameries are now in sue
cessful and profitable operation
Others might have succeeded had they
not been stocked too literally with
water. Most of the creameries here
tofore established in the state have
been organized by promoters who hae
no interest in the establishments
o,aer than getting their pay for build
ings and equipment Their methoc
has been to paint very rosy picture
OF the profits to be obtained through
the organizing of mutual creamery
company; to induce as many farmers
as possible to take fifty or hundred
dollars worth of stock in the com
pany, giving their note for the face
value of the stock, the notes to be due
when the creamery was ready to begin
operations; and then, after sufficient
number had subscribed, to put up
building and equip it for business
With the creamery ready to be turned
over to the officers of the company
the promoters would dispose OF theil
notes at a local bank and leave the
creameries in the hands of its mex
perienced owners. In every such case
in West Virginia the promoters have
sold a creamery and its equipment
for nearly twice its real value. The
wonder is that single creamery es
tablished under such conditions should
succeed to such a degree as to be
able to pay dividends on its inflated
cost.
1t is not difficult for farmers to pro
tect themselves against the creamery
sharks Where the situation is such
that it seems probable that a cream
cry might succeed it is just as easy
to get disinterested expert advice as
to get the interested advice of the
promoter, who is always sure that 8
creamery will succeed if enough men
can be induced to buy stock. Fol
example: Not long ago an effort was
made to organize creamery company
at a certain thriving city in the east
ern part of the state. A little inquiry
would satisfy any intelligent person
that it is not suitable place for g
creamery; there are not enough COWS
and milk brings higher price in the
town than any creamery could pay
for it.
More Cows Needed.
Before even seriously considering
the possibility of establishing a cream
cry the men interested ought to know
that there are enough COWS within 6
reasonable distance to supply the
creamery with milk or cream or thai
the farmers of the adjacent country
will buy the cows A creamery can
not succeed without milk, and milk
cannot be had without cows-hundreds
of them.
Farmers who are considering the or
ganization of a creamery ought to con
suit either the division of the depart
ment of agriculture at Washington
or the dairy department of West Viz
ginia. Either will advise them against
the creamery when the situation does
not warrant a creamery and will helT
with advice and instruction after the
creamery is established.
West Virginia Needs Creameries.
Let it be emphasized that West Vir
ginia needs creameries; that there are
many places in the state where cream
cries can be made to succeed as bust
ness ventures and as promoters o.
better farming, and that there are
more places where only the foolish
and the misguided will attempt to es
tablish creameries. The college OF
agriculture is ready to furnish expert
information to those who are consider
ing and who may be in doubt.