126 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



patrons to bring good milk and cream than a clean, sweet-smell- 

 ing and neat appearing creamery. 



We may divide the creameries into two classes and see what 

 can be done in order to improve the quality in both. We have 

 the wholemilk creameries where, on an average, the best butter 

 is made, yet without a doubt if more of them would pay strict 

 attention to the skimmilk pipes and tanks, a great deal better 

 milk would be received. The reason is plain for if the farmer 

 is obliged to take back, in the same cans in which he makes his 

 deliveries, skimmilk that is, to say the least, stinking and sour 

 enough to take the tinning off the best cans in a short time, no 

 one can expect him to bring sweet milk with a good odor. Be- 

 sides it leaves the cans in a rusty condition in a short time which 

 is one of the worst things for the milk and cream and the cause 

 of the so much complained of metallic and fishy butter, which 

 today is a loss to both creamery and patron. The commission 

 men don't want it and the renovating factories will hardly take 

 it. Every creameryman should consider it his duty to keep the 

 skimmilk tank and pipes clean and it has been my observation 

 where they do that they receive a much better grade of milk. 



Our cream gathering plants is where the greater portion 

 of the poorest butter is made and it is where we need to make 

 the most improvements. Theoretically, it seems very easy, for, 

 why not refuse the poor cream? But in many places this is an 

 impossibility if they intend to keep on doing business. Competi- 

 tion is strong, and if one fellow refuses another one is always 

 ready to accept. Yet, it has been my observation that consider- 

 able improvement can be made if the creamerymen will make 

 an earnest effort. When the patron delivers the cream himself 

 directly to the factory and comes in immediate contact with them 

 they have less trouble than where they send out wagons. If the 

 patron delivering his own cream brings it in bad shape the but- 

 termaker has a chance to talk to him and call his attention to it, 

 but when he has to depend upon haulers he is up against it. 

 Haulers are generally of the type that do not make much of an 

 effort and do not know how to get the patrons to keep the cream 



