DAIRY PRODUCTS. 201 



the cream to become slightly sour. This sourness takes place 

 in the caseine that is with the cream, and does not injure the 

 butter. 



The quality of the butter is largely influenced by the tem- 

 perature of the cream. It is generally admitted that cream 

 must be at sixty-two degrees before separation can take place ; 

 also that it is better to raise it from fifty to fifty-five degrees by 

 churning than to have it at a higher temperature when put into 

 the churn. 



The only secret in making butter that will keep a long time 

 lies in thoroughly separating the buttermilk from it. Butter- 

 milk contains caseine, which is liable to decomposition ; hence 

 the necessity of the separation of the buttermilk. 



Salting-. — It is an erroneous idea that salt will preserve 

 butter. Salting is a mere matter of taste. 



Work out all the buttermilk, salt the butter to suit the tastes 

 of those who eat it, and all will be well. 



For the Committee, 



J. P. Reed. 



WORCESTER WEST. 



From the Report of the Committee. 

 Cheese. — The reputation of Worcester County cheese has 

 long been a source of honorable pride to the agriculturists of this 

 region. The price it has commanded in the markets of the State 

 and nation has rendered it the best business for profit a farmer 

 could pursue. The topography, the soil and the climate of 

 these, our hills and valleys, have had much to do with this 

 result. That far-seeing enterprise and public spirit which, 

 years ago, introduced at a personal sacrifice, the imported 

 breeds of cattle which have so much increased the quantity and 

 improved the quality of the milk for dairy purposes, is an 

 element of present prosperity that is worthy of a kindly and 

 grateful remembrance. The Durham stock, which fills so many 

 of the requisitions of profitable dairy and farming purposes, 

 has been a source of incalculable benefit to this community, 

 and as the grade Durham cows and oxen, heifers and steers, 

 mingle with the more beautiful and docile Devons, the nervous 

 Jerseys, the rich milk-producing Ayrshires, and the stately 



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