The Dairy Industry.

Otago Witness, Issue 1905, 14 August 1890, Page 7

The Dairy Industry.

TO THB EDITOB. Sib, — Yon cap understand the pleasure I feel in reading that excellent letter of Mr W. S. Davidson's in yours of the 2nd on the above question, as in many points be repeats and insists on our makers and exporters of butter and cheese following the rules I have for years now j written urging the adoption of, if they want to take rank as first-class makers (as they should do) in any markets where suoh are sent to. If you will kindly allow me space to review this letter of Mr Davidson's, I will be able to answer many of the questions ho asks; and if in doiog so I speak too plain, I hope that the interest I have for co many years taken in its development and the results so short of what I had every right to expect will be my excuse. First, Mr D. says every expert who has visited, this colony says our advantages surpass any other

varsity during the season they stop work ; but the result in most oases— l won't say. I see tbe article made by them sometimes at the show or exhibition. By the way, you will remember that I many years ago made the remark at our of the meetings re freezing mutton being adopted, " that if we only had steam to go round the Horn with there was a market in Rio for butter all the year round at prices from £n"ol to jdol per lb — that is 28 to 3*." Mr Davidson now refers to the same market for us, and what has been done by us yet to take advantage thereof ? I am afraid that I will encroach too much on your space to go much further, but the fact is I feel so pleased that this letter has just now appeared in support of what I have been so long urging on the attention of everyone I thought interested in the matter. I quite believe that if we had more difficulties to contend with in its manufacture, as they have in the places referred to, our good folks here would have faced the difficulty as the ethers have done and been now in the position of claiming first place in every market they send it to. By the way, there is another reason why, as compared with Canada, our people here have hitherto given so little attention to the dairying interest Bee the values as given by Mr Ritchie to the Chamber of Commerce the other day of our exports of wool and mutton, quite independent of the grain or other things. So much attention is given to those linos by our business firms that all else is neglected, whereas the Canadian settlers have to keep tbe most of the produce of their farms to feed themselves and stock during the winter months, apart from tbe faot that they can't get the same returns from the ground. The balance of the produce they consume in getting out lumber for tbe British markets, and also potash and pearl ash ; 60 tbafc really they have so few lines to work on. The business in the summer months is I know chiefly supported by the produce of the dairy, and that is almost entirely exported, as they don't use it to any extent themselves. Indeed in winter there you would require n broad axe to cut it. Honey, maple syrup, and jam is the substitute, and cheaper. Consequently our business firms did a large trade in shipping butter Home from there, and I had a hand in it years ago, and hope to have yet if spared. — I am, &c, August 4, W. D. SUTHEBLAND.