Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1921-08-31
Cooperative Creameries and
Diaries.

DdIII6Ss -
Clemson College, Aug. ~, With
the low price on cotton and the great
damage done by the boil weevil,
many people are turning their atten-
ton to dairying as a substitute for
the income formerly received through
cotton. Some of these people T
also realizing that the greatest in
come can be derived only through
organized dairying; and as a result
quite a few efforts are made to es-
tablish cooperative creameries and
dairy plants, by people either direct
Nly or indirectly interested. This is
well, because there is no doubt that
cooperation is the only way to insure
the best results. However, there
seems to be an opinion prevalent
that it is an easy matter to start a
cooperative plant of this kind. I'm
fortunately, this is not so; on the
contrary, to organize properly a CO.
operative organization of any kind
and carry it to ultimate success can
not be done by every "Tom, Dick,
and Harry" but requires the best eff
forts of the best people directly in.
terested. The following are some,
of the main points to observe in or
ganizing a cooperative creamery.
Past experiences prove that they n
fundamental, says M. R. Tolstrup,
associate professor of dairying.
Fundamental Requirements.
1. The purpose of a cooperative
creamery or dairy plant is to provide.
the most profitable outlet for the
dairy farmers product, whether itsbe.
whole milk or cream.
2. The product from 600 to 500
cows is necessary in orderSto reduce
the overhead expenses to a reason
able figure. Ordinarily the larger
the plant, the cheaper it can be op-
Grated per unit of products manu-
featured.
8. Local conditions may be such
that a smaller number of cows can
profitably support a local co-opera-
tive creamery, especially in noun
famous sections where it is hard to.
find any outlet for individually
same is true where the goods can be
sold at retail and an extra income
thus derived.
a. Where cheese can be made, a
minimum of from 1000 to 5000
pounds of whole milk a day is
enough for profitable operation.
5. A cooperative creamery should
never be started unless the people
really want it. VI
Order of Organization.
1 Make a preliminary survey Of
the neighborhoed where crsea.mrlery;S q
Ito be started and learn: .asf
(a) Number. of cows available
DO not bank too strongly on cows
which people say they will buy later
on.
(b) Number of shares each man
will take. 1t is best to have each
man take a share for each COW he
has. Shares may be $500, or $1,000,
or higher. Banks generally take the
farmers notes for this money.
(c) Amount of money required
for starting a creamery; anywhere
from $s,000.00 up will be required
where a building is to be erected.
(d) Banking facilities. A good
bank is indispensable for a good
creamery.
(e) Attitude of the people to-
wards a creamery.
(f) Availability of a suitable site.
A creamery we'll located saves oper-
ating expenses, and makes success
more easily attained.
(g) A town where much rural
business is transacted is always best
for a creamery, because people like
to bring their milk and cream to the
town where they trade.
(h) Railroad facilities. This item
is important especially where milk,
cream, butter, and ice cream are to
be shipped to the trade.
Remember that there are some
places which within a year or two
may be excellent for a creamery, but
where failure may result if it is start
ed now. People must be ready.