130 SKETCHES OP EURAL AFFAIRS. 



and then reduced to a smooth pulp, either by grating or 

 pounding in a mortar. To five pounds of this pulp 

 there is added one pound, or about a pint, of sour milk, 

 with the usual quantity of salt. The whole is then 

 kneaded together, covered up, and allowed to remain for 

 three or four days. The pulp is then again kneaded, 

 and placed in small wicker baskets, through which 

 the superfluous moisture drains. It is then moulded 

 into shape by being put in small pots, in which the 

 cheeses are allowed to dry in the shade, during about 

 fifteen days, after which they are put in store. The 

 older they are, the better they become ; and if kept 

 dry, they will keep for a number of years. Three kinds 

 of this cheese are made : the first, or most common, ac- 

 cording to the above proportions ; the second, with four 

 parts of potatoes, and two parts curdled milk ; and the 

 third, with two parts potatoes, and four of milk. Ewe 

 milk is employed for this purpose, as well as that of 

 cows. 



Cheeses, when well salted, and thoroughly cleared of 

 whey, will keep for years. And if in the course of time 

 they become hard and dry, they can be restored (if rich 

 in quality) by being washed several times in soft water, 

 and then laid in a cloth, moistened with wine or vine- 

 gar. They will gradually lose some of their saltness, 

 and will become mellow and agreeable. This is a plan 

 commonly pursued in Switzerland, where cheese is stored 

 for many years. 



From this short account of the general round of dairy 

 work, it will be seen that there is full and constant em- 

 ployment for those concerned in it, and that it requires 

 neatness and cleanliness in a high degree, as well as 

 regularity, early rising, and good temper. It is there- 

 fore calculated greatly to benefit the persons employed 

 in it, by making it a matter of necessity with them to 

 cultivate these good habits. The only reasonable ob- 

 jection to the work of the dairy, is, that it can never, 

 on any occasion, be set aside; that the time of sickness 



