12 



Australia: The Dairy Country. 



number several hundreds. They are distributed throughout all the 

 States, but they are larger and more numerous in New South Wales, 

 Victoria, and Queensland. 



In the Cheese Factory. 



Cream separation 'and butter-making are often carried on to- 

 gether under the co-operative system. The creation of large central 

 butter factories, supplied by numerous separating establishments or 

 " creameries," has resulted in a considerable reduction in the cost of 

 manufacture, since improved appliances, such as refrigerators, may 

 be profitably worked at the larger establishments. The product is 

 also of a more uniform quality. The number of farmers who adhere 

 to hand processes is rapidly diminishing. Formerly the average 

 quantity of milk used per Ib. of hand-made butter was about 

 3 gallons, but separator butter requires only about 2.6 gallons. 



State Supervision. 



Each of the State Agricultural Departments exercises consider- 

 able supervision in regard to the industry. Dairy experts are 

 employed to give instruction in approved methods of production, 

 to examine animals, to inspect the buildings used for milking, 

 separating and butter-making, and to examine the marketable pro- 

 duce. A high standard of dairy hygiene, cleanliness of personnel 

 and materiel and purity of produce have also been insisted upon 

 under State laws. Financial assistance has been given to facilitate 



