414 INDIANA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS 



inches wider than the cheese is thick, and the edges 

 turned over the corners and sewed, so that it is impos- 

 sible for a cheese to spread or flatten down as they for- 

 merly did before bandaging came in fashion. 



The Temperature of the Cheese Room is kept cool and 

 dry by using a stove to drive off dampness, and then it 

 can be frequently washed with cold water. 



The Average Product of Dairy Coivs, in this county, 

 is from $25 to $35 each, per annum, and the average value 

 per head from $20 to $28. 



Wintering Cows. — Two tons of good hay is the amount 

 estimated for each cow, besides straw and other coarse 

 feed. If giving milk, grain or roots are added, as every- 

 thing extra fed is paid for in extra milk. The cows are 

 generally of the common breed, but look remarkably fine, 

 not only upon this well-conducted farm, but upon hun- 

 dreds of others of the same sort in this rich farming 

 county. 



Buying Curd. — I was told of one man, in this county, 

 who buys the curd of five hundred cows, every day, and 

 makes it into cheese. I understand that he pays five 

 cents a pound, and takes it fresh as soon as well drained. 

 Mr. E. says he can afford to pay that price. Cheese and 

 butter are the staple exports of this county, and no grain- 

 growing region, within my knowledge, can show so large 

 a proportion of wealthy farmers, good farmhouses, good- 

 looking and well-improved farms, and such a number of 

 well-to-do-in-the-world people as Jefferson county. The 

 women and children here take more interest in agricul- 

 tural improvement and know more about it, than a ma- 

 jority of the men in some places. When you know the 

 farmers' wives there, you will not be surprised to find 

 such pretty girls and noble boys. Would you know the 

 reason? They read. Yes sir, they read, and read agri- 

 cultural papers, too. One handsome, intelligent boy, about 

 fourteen years of age, came up to me just as I was leav- 

 ing, and said, "Mr. Robinson, I should like to have you 

 send me the Agriculturist for a year. Here is the money." 



