20 ON THE DAIRY. 



and greasy, with small particles of butter-milk oozing out of it ; while 

 the butter of the other is in neatly formed lumps, hard and regular, 

 of a bright yellow color; the one is slowly sold for a sJdlling & 

 pound — when the other readily commands a sMlling and a half — 

 from purchasers much better satisfied with their bargains. Why this 

 difference in price, unless it be in the management of the dairy ? 

 One of these farmers will be able to thrive and flourish, with paint- 

 ed buildings, and neatlj'- arranged fences ; — while the other will have 

 his windows stuffed with rags, and his fences going to ruin. 



It is not enough for claimants to say in their statements, that 

 about an ounce of salt is applied to each pound of butter ; or that it 

 Avas salted to suit the taste. Such expressions afford no rule for the 

 instruction of others. Tastes may vary as much as hands in weight, 

 or feet in measurement, and the word about has too much of the 

 quality of india rubber to fasten anything. For example, in the 

 statements before us, there is a variance in the quantity of salt used 

 of one half — say from three fourths of an ounce to one and a half 

 ounces to the pound. We are aware that there may be differences 

 in the quality of the salt, and that the condition in which the butter 

 cowzes, may at sometimes require more salt than at others; and 

 consequently that the judgment of the persons working it is to be 

 exercised ; but still we think it is in their power to define, how this 

 judgment is to be applied ; and this is the very thing we want to be 

 informed about. These little peculiarities which enable good dairy- 

 maids to present the nicest of butter. 



On looking over the statements presented, several difiiculties occur 

 ia instituting a comparison. Some speak of cows only ; others of 

 coivs and heifers. Some speak of old cows ; others of young coivs. 

 What the fair proportion is Avhich a heifer bears to a cow, we have no 

 certain means of determining ; but for convenience sake, we assume 

 that three heifers the first season in milk, may be reckoned equal to 

 two coivs. We are also embarrassed by the fact, that different fami- 

 lies may consume very different quantities of milk and cream in the 

 family. Ordinarily we expect to find on a well regulated New 

 England farm, a man and Avife, five children, a man servant, a maid 

 servant, and a boy to drive the cows, &c., — tenin number, for whose 

 use the milk of one cow at least shuold be appropriated. There may 

 1)0 variances from this. There may be bachelors who take care of 

 their own dairies, — but such care will never be considered as a rcc- 



