PACKING AND MARKETING BUTTER. 271 



"butter is good, it will take but a short time for the consumers 

 to become familiar with that particular brand. It is essential, 

 however, to consider the cost of printing the butter and the 

 losses in printing. Some little waste of butter accompanies 

 the printing process. Besides this, if the butter is firm, as it 

 usually is in order to have the prints assume the proper shape, 

 there is a loss of some moisture. 



Preparation of Tubs. — If tubs are stored in a damp room, 

 they are likely to mould in a short time. Occasionally tubs 

 are in a mouldy condition when they come from the factory 

 or creamery supply-house. The mould that forms on the inside 

 of the tub when standing in a damp place is very conspicuous. 

 In many instances the tubs are also cracked. This is due 

 chiefly to the tubs becoming dry, and in some instances is due 

 to the use of imperfect material in the manufacture of the tub. 

 Butter-tubs should not be made from damp, unseasoned, and 

 partly decayed wood, as they are likely to impart to the butter 

 more of the woody odors than do those made from sound, 

 well-matured wood. 



In order to kill all the moulds which may be present in the 

 tub, and to close the cracks, so as to make the tub practically 

 air-tight, it is essential that the tub should undergo some process 

 of preparation before the butter is packed into it. There is a 

 single substance which will destroy the germs, moulds, and also 

 close smaller openings in the tubs, viz., a saturated solution of 

 brine. As a rule this gives good results. The day pre^'ious to 

 the packing of the butter, the tubs should be filled with satu- 

 rated brine, and allowed to stand and soak until the following 

 day. The paper-linings and circles should also be soaked in 

 the same brine before they are used. It is a good plan to ha\'e 

 the brine lukewarm, although cold brine will answer the pur- 

 pose. Just previous to using, pour out the brine, wash the tubs 

 thoroughly, then scald them, by putting them into scalding- 

 hot water or over a steam-jet. Cool off the tubs by filling them 

 with cold water; when cooled, pour out the water, line them, 

 and they are ready for use. The covers should be on while they 



