342 [Senate 



great many choice samples of farming products and articles of manu- 

 facture, and farming implements. 



The exhibition was peculiarly rich in the staple articles of this 

 county, butter and cheesej premiums were awarded; an excellent 

 address delivered; and the people departed at the approach of night 

 wishing the day had been longer. 



In a single feature, this Society differs, perhaps, from that of any 

 other in the State. It is well known that a large proportion of our 

 farmers have a propensity to get rich by making cheese; we raise 

 but little stock for market and less grain. The best cattle with us 

 are those which give the most and best quality of milk, in propor- 

 tion to the food they consume. The value of the Short Horn Dur- 

 hams as a stock for beef, and of the Devons for working oxen, is 

 appreciated, and this county can exhibit a goodly number of fine 

 specimens of both breeds, especially the former, among the wealthier 

 class of our farmers. Yet the opinion prevails, and is founded on 

 careful observation, that neither of these stocks of cattle yield milk 

 equal to the smaller and homelier native breed, when the quantity of 

 food consumed is taken into the account. 



A leading object of the Society and indeed of the State bounty, is 

 to elicit and ditTuse useful information, to improve the condition, les- 

 sen the toil and increase the gains of the agricultural portion of our 

 community. 



The article of product for which Herkimer county is chiefly dis- 

 tinguished, and for which its soil seems peculiarly well adapted, re- 

 ceived our consideration; and our results may be of some interest in 

 other parts of the country. Among other premiums offered, were 

 some for experiments to be made, to show the product in weight of 

 manufacturing a given quantity of milk into good cheese. The pre- 

 mium was offered to as many as would make and communicate the 

 experiment without regard to competition as to the result. It was 

 so late when offered that only one was reported, consequently it is 

 not known how it would compare with others. The result I send 

 herewith, as also the method adopted of manufacture by the farmer 

 who took the premium for the best cheese. 



The prize essay on the management of a cheese dairy, has been 

 returned to the author by his request to enable him to make some 

 corrections, I believe. If I can procure it in time for the publication 

 of the annual report, I will forward it to be appended, if thought 

 best. With great respect, 



Arphaxad Loomis. 



CHEESE— Mr. Crosby's Statement. 



The following is the process of making the dairy of cheese which 

 took the premium at the Fair at Herkimer, October 20, 1842: 



My method of making cheese is to take the cream off from the 

 night's milk and let it stand until the morning's mess is added; it is 

 put into the strainer and the milk that is heated turned on to it which 



