DAIRY INTERESTS OF WALDO COUNTY. Ig3 



bought in other Stfit(!S. The waste of the dairy, wliethor sour milk 

 or Vhe\', can be prolitably utilized in the piggcr}- or calf pen. The 

 well stocked dairy barn leturns a large amount of excellent manure, 

 and stable manure builds up the farm. 



Butter. 



In the production of butter, perhaps there has not been a great gain 

 in amount in the past ten years ; but there certainly has been a 

 great improvement in quality. The general average in this direc- 

 tion has been encouraging. The improvement has been accomplished 

 by a combination of forces acting upon butter makers. First — the 

 demand for better butter, backed bj- a better price. Second — the 

 spread of better dairy knowledge and its effect upon our butter 

 makers. Third — better care, feed, and cleanliness in the business. 

 Fourth — better dairy blood that has been dilfused in the various 

 parts of the countj-, and the selection from good milking and butter 

 strains. 



Travelling over the county to-day one will be forcibly struck, in 

 comparison with ten j-ears ago, at the rapid and wide-spread 

 prevalence of Jersey blood, either in its purity or its still oftener 

 recurrence in fine grade cows and heifers. This shows we are 

 recognizing the merits of the breed by practical endorsement, and 

 that we are availing ourselves of the advantages of this best of all 

 breeds for butter dairying. Not onl}- this, but improved dairy 

 fixtures, rooms and methods of manufacture and handling are seen 

 everywhere — not perfection by any means, but improvements over 

 those used before. More attention is given to feeding for milk and 

 butter. The farmers generally in our count}' are discussing, enquiring, 

 experimenting. There is awakened interest and there is thought in 

 the matter and on the subject. More and better heifer calves are being 

 raised. Dairy stock is beginning to be sold and bought on its dairy 

 merits rather than on a beef basis. We are getting a better under- 

 standing and placing a higher estimate upon our cow-power. If a 

 good Jersey cow can make two pounds of butter a day in Winthrop, 

 Lewiston, Cumberland, Baldwin, or anywhere else in the State, why 

 not here in Waldo count}' ? If a Jerse}' cow can do it, every other 

 breed has the same right to do it, if they can. As yet we have no 

 associated attempts at butter making. The creamer}' is unknown 

 with us. We are only aware of its existence elsewhere by reading 

 of it in agricultural papers and reports. It may in the future loom 



