

BRITISH IMPORTS OF BUTTER 



305 



object of stimulating trade, and of making business connec- 

 tions. It is interesting to refer to the 1892 report of Wilson, 

 the Victorian Government dairy expert, and to realise 

 the rate at which the early fresh butter export trade grew : 



" In 1889-90, 400 tons of butter were exported, averaging 

 9d. per Ib. ; in 1890-91, the quantity exported was 1000 tons, 

 averaging lojd. per Ib. ; while for this season the quantity 

 exported will be 2143 tons, the average price being is. per Ib." 



British Imports of Butter for Ten Years ended 30th June 

 1905, with Figures for 1906. 



The result of the development of this new industry is that 

 British farmers are losing the slender footing they had in the 

 butter market, and in spite of the increased knowledge of 

 butter-making brought about by the instruction in dairying 

 provided by County Councils throughout the length and 

 breadth of the country, the quality of the home-made article 

 is on the whole very inferior and disappointing. The farmer 

 loses his trade connection at the end of each grass season, 

 and he has to begin afresh in spring to establish himself 

 against the foreigner, who keeps up a steady supply at all 

 seasons of the year. Winter dairying, no doubt, entails more 

 trouble, and involves the employment of a larger amount 

 of capital, as well as a greater annual expenditure than the 

 old system of summer dairying, but the annual total produce 

 is largely increased. The system lends itself chiefly to the 



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