155 



should be clmrued every day, the butter thoroughly worked, and the 

 dairy kept perfectly cleau. 



Cheese factories in England. — The nuiniifacture of cheese by the 

 factory system is an Aiuericau idea, and until recently has been exclus- 

 ively an American enterprise. During 1870 the system was introduced 

 into England, and two factories were established in Derbyshire. No 

 Englisbman was found to possess sufticient experience to manage them, 

 and two Americans, named Schermerhorn, wereengaged to perform this 

 service. Both factories are now in successful operation. 



Koumiss. — This is the name of an article of food recently introduced 

 into England from Germany. It is of Tartar origin, and in its original 

 form is made by fermenting mare's milk and agitating it during the pro- 

 cess. Cow's milk is used as a substitute. The result of the treatment 

 is a mixture of alcohol, carbonic acid, lactic acid, and finely divided 

 caseine and butter, with the residue of the sugar and salts of the milk, 

 in taste resembling a mixture of champagne aud cream, and supjiosed, 

 as the Tartars are very athletic, to be conducive to health and a pre- 

 ventive of phthisis. 



Preservation of fruits and vegetables. — An invention of Mr. 

 Buchanan for preserving fruits and vegetables is attracting some atten- 

 tion in England. The moisture is expelled by a cold dry process, instead 

 of the former modes of desiccation by heat. It is said to preserve vege- 

 tables and fruits in a much more perfect and ])alatable state than the 

 heating j^rocess so generally in use. 



Jute. — Augustus F. Leory, of Kew Orleans, writes to the Depart- 

 ment, under date of March II: 



You were kind enough last year to send me several papers of jute seed. These I 

 planted myself on my place seventy miles below this city, on the banks of the Missis- 

 sippi River. In three months the plants grew, with little or no cultivation, ten feet 

 high. They fully matured and produced abundance of seed. I am now fully satisfied 

 that jute can be produced throughout all the sugar-growing portion of this valley. 



Borax. — A large deposit of borax has been discovered in Bishop 

 Creek precinct, Inyo County, California. The borax is iound in beds, 

 and is slightly impregnated with saltpeter. It is lironounced to be of a 

 superior quality. 



Large honey p:^duot. — Rev. Robert Johnson, of Kossuth, Des 

 Moines County, Iowa, reports to this Department that he has colonies 

 of bees that gave him 150 pounds of honey each during the past year. 



