CHAPTER XII. 



LETTER TO A DAIRY-WOMAN. 



In the earlier chapters of this work I have spoken 

 to farmers and dairymen of the selection, care, and 

 management, of dairy stock. The seventh, eighth, and 

 ninth chapters relate more especially to your depart- 

 ment, and on your application and skill will depend 

 chiefly the successful result of the dairy establishment. 

 Of what avail are costly barns, well-selected cows, and 

 judicious feeding, in the butter and cheese dairy, if the 

 products are to be depreciated in value by the imper- 

 fect modes of preparing them for the market, where the 

 final judgment is passed upon them, and where it is 

 expected the price will be according to their value ? 



You have, doubtless, had a much greater practical 

 knowledge and experience of the details of dair) 

 management than I have. For this practice and experi- 

 ence I have the utmost respect ; but I have not spoken 

 without a knowledge of the subject. I have made many 

 a cheese, and many a pound of butter, while my ob- 

 servations have extended over all the most important 

 dairy districts of the country, and have not been limited 

 to the practices of any one section, which, however 

 good in themselves, may not be the best. I trust, there- 

 fore, you will excuse me for calling your attention to the 

 more important points to which I have alluded ; and, if 

 my conclusions happen to differ from your own, in any 



