WASiiiXd OF BurrER 263 



later and it has rclic\'cd the whole condition. He is of the 

 opinion that if this is used when the butter shows an}" ten- 

 dency to stick to the churn, it wiU keep the cliurn in good con- 

 dition riglit along." 



WASHIXG OF BUTTER 



Purpose of Washing. The chief ol)ject of washing butter 

 is to remo^"e as much buttermilk as possible. The more impure 

 the erean: is, the greater is the importance of getting the better 

 thoroughK' washed. In the winter, when it is cold, and the 

 cream is in good condition, some makers do not wash the butter 

 at all. But this is not a safe method, lire remoA'al of the 

 buttermilk constituents should be as complete as conditi<ms will 

 permit. 



Temperature of Wash-water.- -The temperature of wash- 

 water should be as nearl}" like that of the cream ^\d^en churned 

 as is consistent with the other conditions. It is quite a regular 

 practice in many creameries, particular!}' in sum.mer. to teirper 

 the wash-water to about 2^ bel(jw the cliurning temperature of 

 the cream. E.xtreme and rapid chan!j;es in temperature should 

 alwa}'s be avoided. Occasionall}- it is necessar\- to use water 

 that is colder than the cream; at other times it is necessar^• to 

 use wash-water at a higher ten^perature than that of the cream. 

 If the butter churns soft, do not use ice-cold wash-water to chill 

 the butter, as it has a tendenc}- to give butter a talknv}- appear- 

 ance. Neither should hard butter be ciuickl}- softened h\ using 

 wash-water at a very high temperature, as it is likel}- to cause the 

 butter to assume a greasy and slush}' te.xture. If it is necessary 

 to change the degree of hardness of the buiter, change it grad- 

 ually by using water at a moderate temperature and allowing the 

 butter to be in contact with it a longer time without agitating 

 it much. 



The regulation of the condition cir degree of fiminess of butter, 

 for the proper working of it, should ne\'er haA'e to be accom- 

 plished to any great extent by means of the wash-water. This 

 is not the real purpose of washing butter. If the churning tern- 



