ASSOCIATION AMONG DAIRY FARMERS.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2157, 2 April 1879, Page 6 (Supplement)

ASSOCIATION AMONG DAIRY FARMERS.

! The following remarks are extracted from a Californian agricultural journal, and are worthy of attention from those engaged in dairy pursuits: — "It has been found hy experience that much greater enconomy and efficiency can be attained if the manufacture of butter and cheese where the milk of a large number of cowi is handled and manipulated by one management, than where the milk of a few cows is handled and made up into butter or cheese separately. There is but little difference in the expense of running a dairy of 25 cows or one of 100 cows. One good butter maker or cheesemaker can take care of and make up the milk of 100 cows while it will take all the time of the tame person to care for and make up the milk from one-fourth that number of cows. The expense of taking to market and marketing the product of 100 cows will he but little if any more than the expense attending the same business for 25 cowi. The tools, such a* cheese Tats, heating apparatus, cheese presses, Ac , used in the manufacture of cheese, such u churns, butter-workers,tfcc.,used in making butter, cost much less in proportion for 100 cows than one -fourth that number. In fact, every ham of expenw u reduced proportionately in a large dairy compared to what it is in a small dairy, whether the butineai of the dairy is to make butter or cheese. But the strongar argument in favour of association in the dairy business has been found in the improved quality of the products. Where the milk of 100 or more cows is handled together, either in making butter or cheese, a better system and greater exactness and uniformity it unircrsally attained than where the milk of a few cowl is handled by the same person, or by persons of equal skill and ability. The result it * better article, and more of it from the tame quantity of milk. Tkese facts show very plainly'and eouelutWeljr that it would M

very greatly to the interest of farmers prenerally, who keep a few cows, to associate themselves together nnd put the milk of their cows nnder due management for manufacture into butter or cheese. The organsiatioi maybe very simple, and may be incorporated or not, just as those associating may desire. A central and otherwise advantageous locality may be selected in each neighbourhood, proper buildings erected, or old buildings appropriated, and the business of the creamery or cheese factory inaugurated at very little expense ; the milk brought in by each farmer, each day weighed, and a portion of the product eorrespondinff returned to him ; or the corresponding proportion of the sour milk or whey may he returned, and the butter or cheese may be sold, and the proceeds proportionately divided. The advantages of the association in the dairy business are 80 patent nnd so plain to be seen that the ■wonder is that they have not generally been taken advantage of in California before tbif."