ON DAIRY FARMING.

BY W. K. HULKB, ESQ. No. 3.— PACKING FOR EXPORT AND LOCAL TRADE. Most of your readers will, no doubt, have noticed the natty and attractive packages iv which articles of daily consumption are brought before the notice of the public in a retail provision store. Oil and vinegar in decanters — pickles in glass jars — spices assorted in small packets in ornamental boxes. I might enumerate many others, but time and space will not permit. What a marked difference to the old style } but although fashion periodically reintroduces one of our great grandmothers' quaint cut garments, or antiquated head gear as something ve;y recherche, I do not think we shall ever resort to the clumsy and unsightly packages formerly found on the shelves of a provision store, for this simple fact : the goods would remain there — however superior their contents might be, the appearance of the package being against them as compared to the modern mode. This is well-known to all business houses and exporters from the Continent, who are greatly in advance of John Bull in the kuowledge how to <utch the eye by these neat and attractive packages, in m ly be seen iv their handy-sized olb., 101 b., or 201 b. jars of salt butter especially adapted for family use : and also in their 801 b. kegs — lined with prepared butter-cloth — and if single pouuds are required they are supplied in a wicker basket containing two, four, or six pats, each wrapped up in its snow white cloth stamped with the brand of tho manufacturer. The old-fashioned firkins have been quite discarded, except for the supply of shops in low neighbourhoods, and even these have their contents protected by prepared butter-cloth to prevent the butter coming into contact with the wood — a refinement our forefathers would have laughed at — but which modern-acquired tuste demands. This care in packing also prevents a loss to the retailer — the butter not having to be scraped to free it from the thick crust of salt or other matter

found adhering to it ; in very manycases the loss of which is a serious itom, adding greatly to its first cost. I have many times seen kegged butter lose from 1 inch, or 51bs., before it was fit for sale — in fact, complaints have repeatedly been made to exporters from outside purchasers that the butter was unsaleable owing to a want of proper selection and manufacture. The custom at present most general amongst the trade is to keg all the surplus supply over local sales, little or no selection being made, either as regards colour or taste. The same want of care is shown with fresh butter, but with this exception, it is enclosed in butter-cloth and then packed in any old box coming to hand, or in kegs with a thin liquid briue ; and even then the kegs are not always new. To save a shilling or two old kegs are often to be seen in use, esj^ecially amongst our dairy farmers. This is a mistaken idea as regards economy, for the soiled and old look of such kegs often spoils the appearance of otherwise a first-class article, and with it the price, for buyers at auction have their suspicions of the contents, often hesitate, and the lot is knocked down, fetching less than its quality really deserves. The greatest attention, therefore, should be given, not only in first selecting the different quantities, and then classifying them as prime, good, and pastry, or as No. 1, 2, and B—in8 — in fact regulating its price to its quality (and were this sold in an open market the dealers would soon classify it) — but also in the size and general appearance of the various packages in which it is sent. In fact, why should not the packages be regulated as to size the same as the fruit, and other trades are. Let us have some uniformity in the packages, and not send to market in such an irregular, illassorted manner as is now witnessed ; for, rest assured, appearances go a long way to make or mar a sale, particularly iv a dull market. As a proof of this, I will give you a recent occurrence that took place in the old country. Cork butter some few years since stood Al in all foreign markets. The contents of the kegs being true to brand, and having no competitors as to quality, it commanded the market as regards price. But this very success has proved its ruin, if I may so call it ; for without competition yon have no emulation. Resting satisfied with their success, both the manufacturers and tlio exporters grew careless, and neglected to watch the requirements of the various markets as regards the size of packages and the quality of goods consigned for sale, and so allowed outside brands to obtain a footing. And now they find that Sweden, Denmark, and other foreign countries have divided the trade with them. Not only the foreign trade, but that of the old country as well, has regained its former position. The Committee of the Cork Butter Exchange sent commissioners to the above-named countries, as well as to France, to examine and report on the various systems of dairy management, make of butter, form and size of packages, &c. ; and the very interesting and instructive report furnished to the committee by their commissioner was published, for the better guidance of the Irish dairy farmer. In addition to their report, the commissioners procured sample packages of various sizes used in the trade ; and these were exhibited iv the Cork Butter Exchange. Not satisfied with this, so important did the provision exporters consider the case that they organised a party of 300 Irish tenant dairy farmers, under the leadership of a well-known friend of agriculture — Canon Bagot — to visit the Royal Agricultural Society's Show, held last year at Kilburn, near London, at which show not only the most modern improved dairy utensils were on view, but experienced foreign dairymaids, daily manufactured butter from cream, showing the various Continental systems ; thus practically teaching the art of butter-making to the many thousands who visited the dairy tent, many of whom would again instruct others on their return home. As I have mentioned that there are different systems, I propose in my next article to explain both the shallow and deepcan system.

Heard on the Platform of a RailwayStation. — "Guard, why didn't you wake toe up as I asked you. Here I am, miles beyond my station !" — Gaard : 11 1 did try sir, but all I cooid get you to say was, 'All right, Maria ; get the children their breakfast, aud I'll be down in a minute !' "

Language. — Strong-minded wife : "Eh,Jeames, you are greaton language ; what is the difierenco between exported and transported ?" — Submissive Hasband : " Why my dear, if you shoald go to America in the Bothnia you would be exported, and I — well, I should be transported." t