ESSEX SOCIETY. 23 



when she was sent to pasture. Pier first calf was dropped 

 when she was twenty-two months old. The other heifer was 

 taken from the cow when five weeks old, and sent immediately 

 to pasture. The calves of both are now in pasture, and prom- 

 ise well under similar treatment. 



From the 20th of May to the 10th of August, six cows were 

 pastured at home and milked. One of these calved early in 

 December, and one in January last. Since that time, three 

 more have been added to the number kept at home, and three 

 remain dry, at pasture, away from home. They all have good 

 pasture and an ample supply of running water. 



In June, from the milk of six cows, we made 198 pounds of 

 butter. In July the severe drought had nearly destroyed the 

 feed, and the quantity of butter was diminished. During the 

 autumn, the feed has been very good, and we have had the 

 milk of nine cows, and from the whole, we have made since 

 the 23d of May, 1019 lbs. butter. The number of persons in 

 my family has never been less than fourteen, and for many 

 weeks during the summer, it has been eighteen, and we have 

 used milk and cream at all times freely. 



Our milk is strained into tin pans, and allowed to stand from 

 thirty-six to forty-eight hours, in a cool, darkened room on the 

 first floor of the house ; except in August, when it is kept in a 

 cellar, under a wing of the house. The cream is taken off into 

 tin pails; is salted a little, and stirred every day. We churn 

 twice each week during the summer. Before churning, the 

 cream stands upon ice for twelve hours or more. After churn- 

 ing, the butter-milk is thoroughly worked out by the hand, and 

 the butter is salted to suit the taste. The day following, the 

 butter is worked over again and prepared for the market. In 

 laying down butter for the winter, we use stone jars. After 

 packing it down very closely, we sprinkle salt and loaf sugar, 

 between each layer of butter. In this way our butter has kept 

 perfectly sweet through the season. 



It should be mentioned, that during parts of July and Au- 

 gust, the cows that were milked, had, in addition to the pas- 

 ture, green corn fodder ; or in the place of that, Indian meal 

 and shorts, equally mixed, in proportion of two quarts to each 



