14 



BULLETIN 6G1, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



of the longer pieces. This allows for a 5-inch projection of each 

 end of the shorter pieces. A 32-inch piece of 4 by 4 inch fitted at the 

 middle into one of the short pieces, so as to form a cross, serves as 

 the floor support. Fourteen-inch pieces of 4 by 4 inch are toenailed 

 to the crosspiece at each end flush with the uprights. On the top 

 of the floor support surfaced boards are nailed. It is advisable to 



place a shallow pan of galvanized 

 iron on top of the boards for the 

 purpose of diverting the drainage 

 water to one side, thus preventing 

 it from running on to the lower 

 part of the press rack. The up- 

 rights of the rack are braced from 

 the opposite sides, the brace run- 

 ning from the outside edge of the 

 floor platform to a point about 30 

 inches above on the upright. The 

 whole press frame is bolted together 

 with f-inch bolts which are as long 

 as the uprights, and one is placed 

 parallel with and on the inside of 

 each upright. Heavy iron plates 

 are used for washers on the top 

 and bottom crosspieces. Press jack- 

 screws can be placed in the top 

 crosspiece, which should be of 4 by 

 G inch material or with ordinary 

 jackscrews 4 by 4 inch material 

 may be used. 



A press of the dimensions given 

 will hold the curd of 5,000 pounds 

 of buttermilk and can be made 

 for about $15, including all labor, 

 material, and two jackscrews. By 

 increasing the cross dimensions a 

 larger press can be made, and it may be advisable to make one wide 

 enough to accommodate a mass of curd 30 inches square. It will 

 be found advantageous to use two jackscrews in each press to facili- 

 tate handling the wet curd. The tendency of the moist curd to press 

 unevenly can be better controlled by applying pressure with two 

 jackscrews instead of one. If no one is at the plant to maintain a 

 continuous pressure on the curd in the press, some other means, such 

 as the use of heavy railway-car springs, should be provided to main- 

 tain the pressure. 



Fig. 5. — Curd press, showing manner of 

 pressing moisture from curd. By means 

 ni' heavy car springs a continuous heavy 

 pressure may be maintained. 



