The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-04
TALK OF CREAMERY ROUTES.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
EXPERT TELLS FARMERS
WHAT PROFITS THEY
CAN DERIVE.
Requires Scventy-five' Cows to Route
or Eight Hundred Cows to Operate
n Creamery Successfully-Privateer
and Concord Farmers Much Inter-
estcd.

cooperation with Clemson College, ar
rived in Sumter yesterday to investi-
gate conditions regarding the estab-
lishment Of the creamery routes in
Bethed section and Concord township,
and to make preliminary arrange
ments for the establishment later of
creamery in Sumter, If one is desir-
ed later.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick conferred with Sec
retary Reardon Of the Chamber of
Commerce for some time regarding
the part the business men Of Sumter
will take in the establishment of the
proposed creamery in this city just as
soon as four hundred good dairy COWS
are assured to furnish the cream.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick was then taken in
charge by Mr.. ]. Frank Williams, To-
cal farm demonstrator, and with the
secretary Of the commercial organiza-
tion, he was taken in Mr.. Williams
automobile for a visit to Concord and
Bethel sections to confer with the
farmers who wish to participate in the
creamery routes.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick gave out some very
interesting information Of value to
business men and farmers regarding
the value Of the proposed creamery
routes and creamery.
Regarding the creamery routes he
said that seventy-flve average Sumter
county cows, or about fifty exception
al or improved breed dairy cows will
be sufficient to supply a creamery
route, If the cows are fed and cared
for according to government instruc-
tions.
To supply a creamery with capac-
ity of eight thousand pounds Of but
ter per month, as a minimum output,
five hundred average South Carolina
cows furnishing 16 pounds of butter
per month, or about 400 improved
breed cows furnishing rs pounds per
month will be required.
AS an illustration of the rapid
growth OF cream routes and creamer-
les MIR. Fitzpatrick stated. the first at
tempt made at Clemson College in
1914 was under discouraging condi-
tions.
During September 1914 the Glenn
son creamery route had five patrons
and "a cows In September 1916 this
route had 144 patrons and $40 cows.
During September 1914 the Glenn
son creamery turned out less than five
hundred pounds of butter. In Sep
tember 1915 this creamery turned out
$4,000 pounds OF butter.
All Of the profits Of the Clemson
creamery were returned to the farm
ers. Mr.. Fitzpatrick says that the
government restricts the profits to the
stockholders in creamery organiza-
tions to not exceeding eight per cent.
per annum on their investment, all
above eight per cent. profit going to
the farmers who supply the cream.
This is done in order to make the
proposition cooperative and to en-
courage the farmers, while giving a
reasonable dividend to stockholders
In the creamery 1t will require
about $1,000 to establish an up-to-
date creamery.
The Clemson college dairy depart
ment has cooperative and business
like marketing method Of disposiny Z
OF the butter from creameries and
cream routes in counties where there
are no creameries, the demand ex-
ceeding the supply greatly.
Not less than four good mixers to
a farmer will be counted in avera gins
the number Of cows offered 70: the
creamery route. 1t Is estimated that
four COWS per farmer will supply the
farmers family with milk and utter
first. then furnish a surplus for the
creamery. the object being to induce
farmers to supply themselves and
families and to furnish a surplus Of
cream as a cash producing profit for
each dairy farmer.
COW that gives two gallons of
milk per day will net the farmer on
the cream route between $500 and
$500 per month, leaving the skim
milk as a by-product for feeding to
hogs and other use.
The cost of collecting and shipping g
the cream or bringing the cream to
a creamery will average each farmer
about $3.50 per month, and tho more
farmers there are TO n route the less
1t will cost each one.
This $1.30 a month cost being esti-