118 [Senate, 



CHEESE. 



The committee to whom was referred the examination of cheese 

 and the awarding of premiums thereon, having accomplished the 

 duty assigned them, beg leave to report : 



That there were three competitors for the prize of twenty dollars, 

 for the " best sample of not less than three cheeses from each of ten 

 dairies in any one county," two from the county of Herkimer, and 

 one from the county of Oneida. 



There were about 100 cheeses exhibited by the three competitors, 

 none weighing less than 80 pounds, and many exceeding 200 pounds,' 

 Of that number, there was not one poor cheese, or that could even be 

 called a middling one. They were all good. The excellent quality 

 made it the more difficult for the committee to determine to w^hich 

 should be awarded the premium. 



The committee have labored under a serious embarrassment in not 

 having had any guide sanctioned by the society as to the constituents 

 of a good cheese. In all the reports of their predecessors, no data is 

 given w^hereby the manufacturers or the committee could tell what 

 had heretofore been the requisites, to entitle the competitor to the 

 society's prize. 



It is a difficult thing to define a good cheese. It is easier to say 

 what it is not. No where is the diversity of taste more strikingly 

 exemplified than in the like or dislike of cheese. One likes it 

 strong, another mild ; one likes it hard and crumbly, another soft 

 and buttery ; but all prefer it rich, and not rank smelling or strong 

 of the rennet. 



A good cheese should be w^ell made, and contain all the cream 

 that was in the milk. It should be mild to the taste, melting in the 

 mouth, leaving a pleasant sensation, and a gentle relish for more. 

 It should be freed from all the whey, have a thin tough rind, and keep, 

 with but slight deviation, its original shape. The size is immaterial, 

 only so far as it may suit the purposes of a particular market. And 

 it is a matter of regret that more of our small dairies were not brought 

 in to the show, as the committee believe that with equal care, a 

 small cheese may be made quite as good as a large one. 



Best sample of three cheeses from each often dairies in any one county. 



The committee award the first premium of twenty dollars to ten 

 best dairies, to Herkimer county, and to the dairies represented by 

 Mr. Burrall. 



The second premium of ten dollars to ten daries from Oneida 



COUNTY. 



Believing that they could award but one premium to a county, 

 they could not award to the second best lot from Herkimer, such a pre- 

 mium as the committee could desire or as they deserve. 



Cheeae one year old or over. 



There were but two competitors,Robert Eells, of Westmoreland^ 

 and F. Ingersoll, of Vernon. Both samples were worthy of premi- 

 ums, and they have awarded 



