356 Agricultural Manual 



bared in the benefit for a number of years. The opening 

 to eastern markets of the fertile western lands worked seriously 

 to the disadvantage of Herkimer and adjoining counties, until 

 the later wonderful growth of the dairy industry. 



DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY 



Herkimer County was the first to make cheese dairying a 

 specialty, cheese being made in the county in a small way as 

 early as 1800. In 1812-16 the largest herds, which numbered 

 about forty cows each, were regarded as of extraordinary size. 

 At this time dairy appliances were yet very crude. Later inven- 

 tions and improvements, however, encouraged the industry and 

 between 1850 and 1860 dairying began to assume great propor- 

 tions. To David H. Burrell of Little Falls belongs the credit 

 of having developed the machinery that is now the standard for 

 American and Canadian cheese factories. 



The state of Wisconsin has become able to produce cheese much 

 more cheaply than it can be made in Herkimer County. For 

 this reason, as well as because of the increased demands of 

 New York City and the improvement in transportation facilities, 

 much of the milk has within the last twenty years been sent to 

 New York. In summer the surplus milk is manufactured into 

 cheese or into condensed milk and butter. 



Herkimer County is noted for its pastures of blue grass and 

 white clover, on which its milk production largely depends. A 

 great part of the county is well adapted for the growth of alfalfa. 

 Considerable quantities of potatoes are grown for market. Oats 

 and corn are important crops. 



There are several important manufacturing interests, among 

 which, besides the dairy machinery already mentioned, are the 

 following: 



Large tanneries are in operation at Little Fall*, Middleville, 

 and "West Winfield. A large felt industry is located at Dolgeville, 

 with smaller plants at Middleville and Little Falls. Extensive 

 knitting mills operate at Little Falls, Herkimer, Mohawk, and 

 Newport. Farm implements and road machinery are manu- 

 factured at Frankfort. Immense plants of the Savage Arms 

 and "Remington Arms plants are located in Frankfort township 



