210 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



pose, put into the milk just before the rennet. This should be 

 nicely prepared and well stirred into the milk, and not too 

 much used. Coloring on the outside seems to be unnecessary, 

 b^some practise it. This is best done by using annate with 

 the oil. 



When the cheeses are ready for market, they should have a 

 clean, neat appearance, and not be daubed over with nasty, 

 filthy grease, as some appear to be. Use good strong boxes, 

 with covers nicely fitted to the box. 



The foregoing remarks apply more particularly to making 

 factory cheese. Smaller quantities of milk may require more 

 heating, especially in cool weather ; and less salt is required for 

 small cheese. The best salt for butter or cheese is Ashton's 

 factory-filled. 



When a cheese is rightly made, it will retain its original 

 shape, be solid and firm on the outside, yet soft and rich on the 

 inside, with a mild, pleasant taste. 



Some of the advantages of factories are these : Few if any 

 farmers are inclined, or could find time, to make their own 

 cheese, and it is difficult to hire help to do it ; and farmers' 

 wives generally have more work than they ought to do, without 

 making cheese, and ought to be relieved from this heavy bur- 

 den. The superintendent of a factory devotes his time to tliis 

 one thing, and makes this a business and study. Factory 

 cheese commands a higher price in market than the best dairies, 

 and very much more than the average price of dairy cheese. 



There are undoubtedly many places where cheese can be 

 made with less expense ; but, with our sweet pastures, pure 

 water and many other advantages, Berkshire ought to be as 

 much celebrated for making superior cheese as Cheshire in 

 England has been, or as Orange County in the State of New 

 York now is, for making superior butter. 



Dairymen should profit by the example of other manufactur- 

 ing classes, hold meetings, form conventions, for the purpose of 

 comparing notes and discussing matters pertaining to their 

 interests, and success will crown their efforts. 



For the Committee, 



S. W. Lincoln. 



