408 ON THE PRICES OF FARM PRODUCE. 



very considerably risen in price. But the quantity which was 

 consumed of the former of these could not have been so large 

 as to affect the cost of production to any notable amount, nor, 

 we may conclude, did the enhanced price of cheese-cloth very 

 much diminish the profit on the manufactured article. Lastly, 

 though the wages of labour had risen, the effect on the 

 manipulation of cheese would probably be less than in any 

 other kind of farm produce. 



BUTTER. Five quantities are employed for the estimation 

 of butter. Occasionally, but much less frequently than in the 

 case of cheese, the wey or pisa is used. Next, in the earlier 

 part of the period we find the petra. Thirdly, the clove is 

 found, especially on the Wolrichston estate. Fourthly, the 

 pound, though not very frequently. The commonest quantity 

 priced is the gallon; this measure is used in all localities. 



It is likely that butter was pressed into earthenware pans, or 

 into wooden tubs, the produce being salted in mass, as well as 

 over each layer, just as in modern times. We shall find that 

 salt was purchased in considerable quantities for dairy purposes, 

 and that the best quality was used in the manufacture of 

 butter. The price given for churns is by no means high, 

 and in all probability this instrument was of that common 

 cylindrical shape in which the cream is stirred by the up and 

 down motion of a rod with a disk at its end. 



In the information given as to the price of sundry articles 

 the reader will find entries of the other implements required 

 for this part of the dairy wdrk, as milk-pails, pans, and the 

 like. It would seem that the manufacture of butter was 

 carried on throughout the year. 



The price of butter exhibits greater fluctuations, and ulti- 

 mately a steadier rise than that of cheese. Up to the com- 

 mencement of the period of scarcity, that is from 'about the 

 commencement of the reign of Edward the Second, in 1307, 

 very little variation is found, either in the decennial averages 

 or in the average rate. But from this period a very con- 

 siderable rise ensues, excessive prices being found in the years 



