while keeping the quality levels high. All of the local butter was shipped via 

 sea or rail to San Francisco commission houses, where the dairyman received a 

 pre-arranged price and the commission merchant distributed the product." 



In 1870 the wholesale price of butter in San Francisco averaged 70 cents 

 per pound (this was the price given to the farmer) in late November, reduced to 

 40 cents by the end of February. From March through May the price dropped 

 to a low of 30-35 cents, then advanced in June back to the 70-75 cents level 

 where it generally stayed until November. When the price hit 40 cents the 

 dairyman typically started packing it and waiting for a better market. A great 

 deal of butter was exported: also in 1870, some 25,389 firkins were shipped by 

 steamer to the East Coast, Japan, China and Pacific Islands, and 5,098 firkins 

 and 3,154 kegs by railroad to the eastern states. 100 



Point Reyes butter, known for its high quality, commanded higher prices 

 than that from other areas in the county and state. Some dairy farmers from 

 these areas questioned the fairness of the reputation bestowed upon Point 

 Reyes butter. One publication, The San Francisco Merchant, editorialized in 

 1879: 



It seems so strange that Olema and other points with 

 almost the same climate and soil cannot reach the 

 prices obtained by the Point Reyes dairymen by a cent 

 or more, but such is the case. Which is the more 

 probable, that the dairymen are particular in 

 preparing their butter or that the soil and climatic 

 conditions are somewhat different, or that the 

 produce agents and commercial reporters are in 

 league to bull Point Reyes products at the expense of 

 other points of the same county? We think the 

 complainants will find the cause or causes of the 

 discrimination against them at home if they look 

 carefully for it. 101 



The question arises, was Point Reyes butter overrated, with the help of the 



"Titus Fey Cronise, The Natural Wealth of California (San Francisco: H. H. Bancroft & Co., 

 1868), pp. 162-163; "Partial Schedules for California, Vol. 2," Agricultural Recapitulations for 

 California, Marin County, U. S. Census Bureau, 9th Census, 1870. 



100 DeGroot, "Dairies and Dairying," pp. 359-60. 



""Quoted in the Marin County Journal. March 20, 1879, p. 3. 



