SPIRIT OF THE MONTHLIES. 361 



that some stalks bear two and some three ears, while others have 

 but one. All analogies and experience teach the advantages which 

 are derived from the selection of those ears which possess these 

 advantages. The same reason which would induce us to select a 

 good breed of hogs, is equally applicable to our corn and wheat. 

 The farmer who will turn his attention to a proper selection and 

 preparation of his seed, will be much suprised how little labour will 

 produce a great result. W. 



Carlisle, March 17, 1845. 



[From the same.] 



TO MAKE GOOD BUTTER. 



Mu. Editor — There is nothing requires more care than the 

 making of good butter, and nothing is more wholesome when it is 

 good. Aware of this, 1 found that strict attention, care and perse- 

 verance on my part, were ultimately crowned with success. Good 

 butter ought to be made in winter, as at any other time. The heat 

 of summer is as hard to contend with as the cold of winter ; and 

 this convinced me that there was a certain degree of heat more 

 favorable than another : this, after many trials with the thermo- 

 meter, I thought to be about 60°. 1 will relate to you some of my 

 discoveries and observations, which no doubt will seem rather stale 

 among so many good butter-makers ; but let me premise that these 

 were in my own dairy, and under peculiar circumstances. 



First objection : The milk was often left too long standing in the 

 bucket, before strained and put away. I think the sooner it is put 

 away the better, and should not be disturbed while the cream is 

 rising. 



Second objection : The milk pans, of stone ware, were never 

 warmed, but frequently taken from the shelf out of door, and the 

 milk, already cooled by standing, strained into the almost freezing 

 pans ; the consequence was, the too chilled milk would stand a long 

 time without casting its cream ; and being skimmed at regular 

 intervals, we fell short of the proper quantity of that necessary 

 article, and of butter. 



Third objection : The skimming process was not carefully done ; 

 too much milk, and in the summer too much " clobber," clopper, 

 or " clabbaugh," or whatever it may be called, is thrown in with 

 the cream, which, in summer, gave a rancidity to the churning, 

 creating a difficulty, and sometimes entirely preventing the gather- 

 ing of the butter, and in the winter filling the churn to no purpose. 

 Fourth objection : Inattention while churning ; leaving the churn 

 after having commenced ; stopping, as they would say, to rest ; 

 not regular enough in turning : we use a barrel churn. All these 

 things tend to prevent the coming of the butter in a proper time, 

 and long churning tends to deteriorate the quality. I found, too, 



