FARM AND STATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1906, 21 August 1890, Page 6

FARM AND STATION.

, THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. The export trade of dairy produce to England is not yet in a good way. The letter which we published on August 2 from Mr Davidson, general manager of the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, shows how the product is received there ; while the annual report of the Peninsula Packing Company proves financial loss here. Mr Davidson's report, since amply confirmed as to the condition of the butter, is most emphatically condemnatory. The quality is uneven, and the usual verdict upon it is " rank and tallowy." It has evidently been packed in good condition, but lacked the keeping qualities which would enable it to withstand not only the interval which mast elapse between its leaving the hands of the colonial maker and getting into those of the British consumer, but the vicissitudes of climate and of stowage it must pass through. The verdict of the Committee of the Peninsula Packing Company is that a pickle-tight package is not yet made in New Zealand. This, however, is declined by Messrs Thomson, Bridger, and Co., who clalfcfcihat their tawa kegs are everything that can be desired ; while the success of the New South Wales Butter Packing Company with the Auckland-made butter boxes also requires some elucidation if this is really the reason of our want of success. Then, again, the facilities for shipping and cool chambers are not regular, owing to tbe diversion of the trade to Australia last year, and much of the last season's make has had to be stored before shipment. While the Committee blame the packages, Mr Davidson, on the other hand, attributes tbe deterioration of the product generally to faulty making, and he speaks after a visit to Denmark, where the dairy industry is admittedly almost perfect. He- describes the process of butter making as "delicate and almost " scientific," and the result is that the product is turned out with the necessary qualifications of sweet aroma, primrose colour, and good texture, and there is avoided the fault of leaving the smallest quantity of buttermilk or moisture, which must be extracted without making the butter tallowy or oily. It must be admitted that this perfection has not been nearly reached in New Zealand. Mr Sawers, in his recent report to the Governmemt, says that bis method of imparting instruction— namely, delivering lectures with practical illustrations in local centres — convinced him of the benefit derivable from the adoption of the factory system, for in a company of, say, 30 makers, he could reckon on at. least as many different qualities of product, if each maker had his own way, and this afforded him continuous information and a good general view of the system, " Every man his own maker." The Peninsula Packing Company, as the name implies, does nothing but pack the butter. It is churned by the shareholders and brought to the packing house. in the granulated state, and it may or may not be affected by the treatment up to that point. The butter is undoubtedly good when made, but it unfortunately seems to lose its " gilt edge " by being kept. The same difficulty does not intervene with regard to Continental butter, which can be placed on the London market within a day or two of manufacture ; nor does it in respect to the Canadian article, which can probably be disposed of in a fortnight. New Zealand makers must provide for about three months' keeping quality at least. There will be no difficulty about the transport if the article is ready. The same hindrances attended the inception of the frozen meat trade, and such parcelsas haveturned out prime show that the market is suitable. But facilities will never be provided as long as the supply is intermittent both in quantity and quality. The Australian market is most deceptive. The New Zealand dairy produce is acceptable there only in times of scarcity, but the market in England is constant, and ought to be profitable. We are certainly disposed to lay the blame of the present failure upon imperfect knowledge of the requirements and of the methods most likely to ensure success, and believe that it would be a good investmentfor the Governmentto spend even alarge sum in instruction upon the models where success has been attained both by means of capable instructors and travelling factories such as have been so successful elsewhere.