DAIRY FACTORIES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1217, 27 January 1886, Page 5

DAIRY FACTORIES.

It is very gratifying to notice how generally our agricultural settlers are exerting themselves to improve their position. It is no longer a struggle to get as much grain into an agent's hands for shipment as possible, in order to secure a small advance at ten per cent. Dairying, which can be carried on at much less expense, is now resorted to. The establishment of a dairy factory does not require much capital, and they are rapidly beingextended throughout the agricultural districts of Otago and Southland. There is no fear of this branch being overdone. An increasing population in European countries accustomed to increasing comforts in the style of living ensure a growing market. The value of British imports of butter for October last was a million sterling, and of cheese half-a-million. There is an unlimited field in Britain alone. Settlers should take care not to devote too much attention to cheesemaking, but to rely also on the manufacture of butter. The facilities of steam are doing much to encourage an expansion of the trade in both these staples. We should like to see the country dotted over with dairy factories — one every six miles. In the United States a great increase of the dairy interest is c;oing on. In lowa there are 650 butter and cream factories. In Wisconsin, a few years ago, the value of the produce in butter and cheese was £300,000; it is now £4,000,000. The growing population of the States absorb locally more and more of these supplies each year. With our peculiar advantages in the way of pasture we should be able to hold our own with any country in the world. A prime essential must never be overlooked — to take care that the article supplied be of the very best quality. — " Evening Herald."