'342 



'CATTLE AND DAIRY - FARMING. 



and, at the end of the season, receive in exchange a proportionate share 

 of the product, or, at choice, a credit on the establishment, which under- 

 takes to dispose of the merchandise. The advantages are the profitable 

 employment of much surplus milk, which would otherwise be lost or 

 wasted, a more economical fabrication, and a better disposal of the prod- 

 uct by the agency of the establishment. 



A recent account estimates the gain thus realized on a hundred kilo- 

 grams of milk about as follows : 



One hundred kilograms of milk would give : 



Supposing the quantity of milk disposable to be about 24,000,000 of 

 kilograms in the province, the product, amounting in the first case of 

 home fabrication, to $547,200, would be increased by the "dairy*' system 

 to $735,360, a gain of $188,160. 



In 1880 there existed forty of these dairies, in more or less prosperous 

 operation, and public opinion favored their multiplication. It is sup- 

 posed that at least two hundred and fifty of them would find advan- 

 tageous conditions in the province. Some stress is laid on them here as 

 representing the first introduction of co-operative industry of this kind 

 in the region. 



It is contested in some quarters, however, whether their products can 

 ever compete for quality with those of Lombardy and Switzerland, on 

 account of the inferior nature of the forage, and this drawback is appre- 

 hended by their promoters ; but even if this be so, they will always find 

 a large home and regional demand. 



Operations and results of some associate dairies in the province of Bclluno, for eight 

 months, from October I to May 31. 



