Journal of the Department of Agricultore. 



Union Successes at the London Dairy Show, 1920. 



The London Dairy Sliow was held at the Agricultural Hall, 

 Islington^ on the 19tli to 22nd October last, and for the second year 

 in succession South African exhibitors scored several striking 

 successes. In 1919 the gold and silver medals were secured for cheese, 

 but at the last show, in addition to these, the bronze medal and 

 reserve ticket were also won. South Africa thus obtained the first 

 four places in competition with exhibits from Canada, Australia, and 

 New Zealand, an achievement to be proud of. The successful 

 exhibitors were: G. W. Young, jun., The Meadows Cheese Factory, 

 Franklin, East Griqualand — Gold Medal. The Aliwal North and 

 Districts Creameries, Ltd., Aliwal North — Silver Medal. Eocky 

 Ridge Chee'se Factory Co-operation, Ltd., Kokstad, East Griqualand — 

 Bronze Medal. Jack Moxham Co-operative Industries, Ltd., Kok- 

 stad — Reserve. 



East Griqualand cheese manufacturers have thus justified the 

 high position they have held for several years in the cheese industry 

 of the Union. Mr. G. W. Young, jun., was a consistent winner 

 during our last show season, and his success at the London show 

 comes as a fitting climax. 



These successes should act as a stimulus to the already promising 

 cheese-making industry of the Union, and it is hoped that, given a 

 favourable season, the farmers producing the raw material and 

 factories manufacturing cheese, will make every effort to increase pro- 

 duction and enable a steady expert trade to be maintained. There is 

 no doubt that the grading scheme in operation in East Griqualand 

 has had much to do with the improvement in the quality of the cheese 

 produced in that area, and its extension to other districts is at present 

 under consideration, and it may be possible to provide facilities 

 whereby any factory in the Union can have its cheese graded, before 

 placing it on the market, by a Government grader at a small charge. 



In addition to the cheese successes. South Africa secured the gold 

 medal for the best collection of Colonial produce in competition with 

 other Dominions. The outstanding features of the exhibition were 

 butter, cheese (both Cheddar and Gouda), bacon, hams, poultry, eggs, 

 honey, fruit, cotton, hides, fibres, etc., all of which were con- 

 tributed by local producers or manufacturers, and staged by the Trade 

 Commissioner. The Exhibition attracted considerable attention, and 

 afforded a valuable advertisement for South African industries. 



Further successes were obtained by our bacon, the Farmers' 

 Co-operative Bacon Factory, Estcourt, Natal, winning both the gold 

 and silver medals and also the reserve ticket in this class, while 

 Messrs. Lurie Bros.. Capetown, won the gold medal for eggs, and 

 Messrs. Tollman & Davies, Johannesburg, that for poultry. 



Only two South African creameries entered in the butter classes 

 but were not successful, which is hardly surprising as the month of 

 September, during which the butter had to be made, is about the 

 worst in the year, owing to the fact that farmers are then generally 

 producing cream only in small quantities, and in consequence collect 

 it over too long a period before sending to the creamery, and it is not 

 possible to manufacture show butter from such cream. Butter manu- 

 factured at that time of the year does not possess the flavour, colour, 

 or bloom of butter made during the spring and summer. 



