Dickson established what he called the Laurelwood Creamery, where he 

 processed his and his neighbors' milk in preparation for marketing. San 

 Rafael's newspaper The Tocsin published a glowing account of Dickson 's 

 endeavor, giving deserved credit to the former owner: 



Laurelwood Creamery. 

 Olema, Jan. 18, 1901 



Ed. Tocsin - At the magnificent home of R. E. Dickson 

 we find one of the best regulated creameries in the 

 county, known as the Laurelwood Creamery, 

 operating near Olema; formerly Mason's ranch. 



Eighty-four cows are being milked at present with a 

 yield of one hundred and twenty pounds per day of a 

 very high grade of butter. The bunch grass that 

 grows plentiful in this section, with the high grade 

 Jersey blood, are the great stimulators that cause the 

 fine yield, which has been brought to this high state 

 of perfection under ex-supervisor Geo. Mason's 

 management. It was last September that this 

 gentleman concluded to part with the grand old home 

 that in the past fifteen years has placed him in the 

 position to take life easy and open up an opportunity 

 for Mr. Dickson to do the same; and as the time and 

 opportunities are becoming better each day, we may 

 look to Laurelwood Creamery hold its position with 

 the best in the State. The gentleman that has lately 

 taken the position as buttermaker, John Shoemaker, 

 just from British Columbia, is a competent man. Mr. 

 Mason is still dairying a dozen choice cows near his 

 old home and sends the milk to Mr. Dickson's 

 creamery. Another rancher sends about a ton of milk; 

 thirty more cows yet to come in and then business 

 will be running at full blast. Twenty-five calves from 

 the best cows are being raised, and as many more 

 heifer calves also will be raised. This being 

 considered an off year for heifers, one of the features 

 of a fine dairy is the system for feeding the calves. 

 Heavy metal dishes are used instead of wood which 

 can be kept clean thereby avoiding one of our greatest 

 troubles ~ tubercle [sic]. The choice stock of hogs 

 show that the skim-milk is not to be wasted by 

 feeding into railsplitters. 



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