St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-08-11
State Brand for Butter.

State Brand for Butter.
State Commissioner of Agriculture
E. S. Brigham is much in earnest il
his efforts to have the farmers o.
Vermont adopt a state brand fol
their butter and we believe should
be supported in his efforts. Yer,
mont is the leading dairy state OF
New England, it producing 2O,227,-
495 pounds of creamery butter each
year to 100000 pounds for all the
rest of New England. 1t also makes
more dairy butter than the rest OF
New England, but the figures are
not at hand Mr.. Brigham states that
the dairy cows of Vermont earn from
SIS, 100000 to $2O,OOO,OOO per
year. Assume that half way between
these figures is the correct amount
and it shows the Importance of the
dairy industry to the State.
The investigation by the Boston
Chamber of Commerce of the milk
market for Vermont farmers has
shown that it is very unsatisfactory
to the producer of milk and the only
remedies for this condition are so
complex and difficult there is little
prospect of immediate relief. 1t
would seem more promising to at
tempt to improve the market for but
ter rather than for milk. The de-
mand for good butter is strong and
seems likely to remain so. The pro-
duction of good butter is not difficult
If seriously undertaken. Mr. Brig
ham proposes this plan for improv-
ing Vermont butter.
We can only improve conditions by
devising a system whereby those
who participate in the production
and manufacture of butter, both
farmers and creamery men, may re-
ceive a reward for careful work. AS
a solution of this problem we should
adopt a brand, safeguarded by legis-
lation and bearing the seal of the
State of Vermont, which creameries
complying with regulations prescrib-
ed by the commissioner of agricul-
ture will be allowed to use.
Denmark and Holland have given
their dairy products a worldwide
reputation by the adoption of a gov
eminent brand. In this country the
state of Minnesota has adopted
brand, and the states of Iowa and
South OAK ota are about to do so.
The requirements for the use of the
brand are briefly as follows:
1. Score of butter to be "a nine
times out of twelve at a scoring con-
Quoted by the state agricultural col
lege.
2. Score of butter never to be be-
low 90.
3. Factory to score 90 or better.
4. Farm diaries to score 60 points
according to score cards provided by
the commissioner Of agriculture.
5. Cream pasteurized in accord
ance with directions.
g. Cream received must be sweet
and shall not test over two per cent
acid.
z. Neutralizers not allowed.
8. When license is granted, list of
patrons must be furnished with ad
dress.
8. Factory must report numbers
of pounds manufactured each month.
10. Brand to be used only at fac
tory.
IL. A representative OF the COM
missioner of agriculture to be allow
ed access to the creamery at any time
for purposes of inspection, supervi-
sion of testing Of cream or milk
samples, or examination of accounts.
Compliance with these demands
would undoubtedly add millions of
dollars to the farmers incomes and
place Vermont even higher than it
now stands among the dairying
states of the Union. 1t is tenth to-
day in the production of butter and
cheese, but it can easily gain high
er place by making it's butter better
and more profitable. To make but
ter good enough for the state
board would surely increase the de-
mand and the profits on Vermont
butter.