500 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



In support of these views it is stated that at the exhibition lately 

 held here over dairy products, out of fourteen exhibits sent in from the 

 Union Dairies, the position of lirst-class butter was not awarded to 

 them in any single case, and it must not bo supposed that this was 

 due to want of proper management in the dairies, as it is fully acknowl- 

 edged that these are conducted with a very able staff of managers and 

 assistants, but must rather be attributed to the diiiieulties which they 

 have to contend with, which the ablest of dairy fanners is unable to 

 overcome entirely. AYith the Union Dairies it is not simply a question 

 of slight eivors, but rather an unfavorable character throughout, which 

 in part is displayed in the shape of an unpleasant taste and an unsatis- 

 factory quality, with such peculiar outer appearance that it does not 

 bear the least resemblance to the finest quality of butter from manorial 

 estates. 



This pervading unpleasant taste and peculiar outer character, which 

 are characteristics of the butter from the Union Dairies, leaves no doubt 

 but that the same defects and dilliculties are common to all of them. 



For the production of line butter good and properly treated milk is 

 first of all the main requisite. Whether the milk used in these dairies 

 possesses these requirements it is difficult to say, and perhaps the 

 managers themselves are not certain on that score, as, practically speak- 

 ing, il is received by them without the least control or knowledge of its 

 nature. J-iut if these dairies are not supported in this respect by the 

 furnishers in the most conscientious manner, then the discontinuance 

 of their work will undoubtedly only be a question of time. In brisk 

 times of trade, it would appear that difliculty is often found by them in 

 disposing of their produce, as lirst-elass quality, and that the prices ob- 

 tained vary between those of iirst and second class, and that in dull 

 seasons the sales are attended with considerable ditiiculty; and as before 

 stated in same degree as these ditliculties have been underrated, so 

 have the dilliculties attending the home production been overestimated. 



It is maintained that no ditliculty need exist for the production of fine 

 butter by the small proprietors, as no later than some six or seven years 

 back the produce of these small owners stood at such a high {standard 

 that they could display a large exhibition of butter in jars and half lir- 

 kins. to which nearly lialfof the exhibits were awarded prizes. 



The want of I'ninn Dairies was not then felt, and it is doubtful if at 

 that time these small pioducers would have been satisfied with the 

 prices they now receive for their milk fiom the union dairies. In those 

 daysihere existed in all the towns a numerous class of butter-packing 

 dealers, who purchased this jar butter Cor subsequent sorting and re- 

 packing. \\'ith the introduction of the Union Dairies these dealers have 

 all nearly disappeared, for the simple reason that too small a quantity 

 of faultless l)iit ter from these small farmers is now brought to hand to 

 admit of any similar repacking with advantageous results. Complaints 

 \\ere frequent, however, on the part oflhe small producers that when 

 they did supply these dealers with but lei- in jars of best standard qual- 

 ity, and which was subsequently ivsold by these dealers at the prices of 

 lirM-class butter, that they nevertheless had only received at their hands 

 t he prier of second Has.-, ; and that t hey could not be satisfied that the 

 dealer should thus be reaping an advantage of LM to i.5 cents on every 

 pound of hut ter, simply because il was delivered in jars. 



The producer should, however, bear in mind t hat where he disposed of 

 his butter in jars at the price of second class that he was obtaining a 

 ii"t pric.- therefor, whilst, the dealer who again resold to the trade at 

 first-class prices had to submit to several drawbacks and charge^ suck 



