CHEESE MAKING. £41 



CHEESE DAIRYING. 



In my report for 1862, and again in that for the year following, 

 a large space was given to the Dairy Interest. To procure trust- 

 worthy data in regard to cost and profits, improved methods of 

 manufacture, apparatus, &c, those sections of other States which 

 bad been longest and most extensively engaged in it were visited, 

 and minute personal inquiries and extensive observations were 

 made. As a result of these, facts and considerations were pre- 

 sented to the farmers of Maine which, in the opinion of the writer, 

 showed conclusively that the manufacture of cheese by associated 

 action offered a rare opportunity, at that time, for so many of them 

 as were favorably situated for it, to start up a new and highly 

 lucrative branch of business Confident anticipations were in- 

 dulged that cheese factories would quickly spring up in consider- 

 able numbers. Had those anticipations been realized, no doubt 

 can now exist, that the accruing profits during six or seven years 

 would have been much larger than can be expected now. Within 

 two or three years, however, several such factories have been put 

 in operation within the State and with a degree of success which 

 will probably lead to the establishment of more next year. 



That dairymen in Maine can successfully compete with those of 

 other States in the manufacture of cheese for export, at current 

 prices, or at such prices as will probably prevail now that the 

 business has been so extensively entered upon,* I am not prepared- 

 to assert ; but to an extent sufficient to supply our own State, 

 which now requires several million pounds annually, most of which 

 is brought from other States, it would seem that small doubt can 

 exist with regard to profitable production ; and just as little that, 

 to this extent, better prices can be realized than are obtained by 

 those who make what is now brought here, inasmuch as the cost 

 of freight, commissions and other expenses will be saved to the 

 manufacturers. In view, therefore, of the desire of those who are 

 now, or may soon be thus engaged, for information on matters 

 relating to it, are here appended the addresses made by Messrs. 



♦Last year 1281 cheese factories were reported as in operation ; 946 in New York, 

 103 in Ohio, 32 in Vermont, 26 in Massachusetts, 46 in Illinois, 22 in Michigan, &o. 

 In 1862 there were less than thirty in New York. 



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