CHAPTER XVI. 



CHURNING AND WASHING BUTTER. 



Definition. By churning we understand the agitation of 

 cream to such an extent as to bring the fat-globules together 

 into masses of butter of such size as to enable the maker to 

 separate them from the buttermilk. 



The agitation may be brought about in several different 



FIG. 135. Ancient method of churning 

 in skin bags. 



FIG. 136. The Dash churn. 



ways, and by different shaped devices, which are called churns. 

 The methods of churning, like the process of separation, began 

 with primitive methods. The ancients churned their milk, 

 without separation, in bags made from the skins of animals. 

 The next step in advance was to place milk or cream in bottles 

 or jars, and then to shake them. This latter method of churn- 



226 



