234 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



The Cream-gathering System. 



I will refer to only three of the more important advantages 

 of this system. 



First. The skimmed milk is left on the farm, where it has 

 a two-fold value, as by feeding to calves and swine it is con- 

 verted into a superior fertilizer. If carried away, as in the 

 whole milk system, it is selling the farm by the milk-can, 

 and its value must be replaced by the purchase of other fer- 

 tilizers. 



Second. The expense of cream-gathering is by far the 

 larger item on that side of the account ; but the expense of 

 collecting whole milk must be far greater, as it has four or 

 five times the bulk and weight of the cream alone. 



Third. It is the most equitable, as the keeper of highly 

 fed Jersey cows may get eighteen spaces or more of cream 

 per can, while poor stock, half fed, will give their owner less 

 than half that quantity. Each sells just what cream there is 

 in his milk, and no more. The value of the cream per space 

 is very nearly the same in either case. I have endeavored 

 to show that by this system of making butter we produce a 

 superior quality ; that we can produce probably 2® per cent 

 more of it ; that we can sell it at an advanced price, that 

 will more than pay for the total cost of manufacturing ; that 

 the dairy-maid, mother or wife has no labor or care what- 

 ever with the cream or butter, only the pails and cans and 

 strainer to wash. The dairyman has no salt-boxes or tubs 

 to buy ; has cash for his cream once a month, brought to his 

 hand. We favor our patrons by buying feed per carload, 

 giving them wholesale rates on small lots. Each patrou may 

 know what the others are doing. This stimulates a friendly 

 rivalry. Nearly all keep more cows than formerly. Within 

 about fourteen months six or seven carloads of cows have 

 been brought from New York State and absorbed by us, be- 

 sides many smaller lots bought nearer home. Many are test- 

 ing their cows, weeding out the poorer ones, improving the 

 better ones by giving better care and feed, learning that all 

 these things pay, — ' ' pay cash every thirty days." The many 

 benefits of co-operation have long been recognized and util- 

 ized by men in other branches of manufacturing and trade. 



