1920.] 



Cost of Butter Production. 



11 



It is interesting to note that although, as a general rule, 

 the application of lime in Cornwall is supposed to have a harmful 

 effect on oats, yet in these experiments no injury seems to have 

 been caused to the crop, where lime was used in conjunction 

 with other manures. In the sections which were limed, but 

 otherwise unmanured, the oat crop was a total failure. As, 

 however, the action of lime is slow-working in its effects, it 

 is probable that the beneficial results of the liming would be 

 noticed more in the 1920 season. 



The results of the experiment seem to point to the value 

 of certain early maturing varieties such as Yielder and Golden 

 Rain for sowing in late districts, and further to the importance 

 under such conditions of artificial manures, particularly 

 superphosphate mixed with some sulphate of ammonia, for 

 stimulating growth and hastening maturity. 



The above experiment was initiated and supervised by 

 Mr. Charles Nairn, Honorary Tractor Representative for Corn- 

 wall, and there is included in this account information commu- 

 nicated to the Ministry by Mr. W. Borlase, County Organiser. 

 **#••• 



An investigation was undertaken by the Ministry of Food 

 into the average cost of producing 1 lb. of butter on nine 

 farms near Penzance for the week ending 

 °t£SST ^th February, I92 o. 



As the estimated average cost of pro- 

 ducing 1 gal. of milk was found to be 3s. o\d., the average 

 cost to produce butter, after allowing 6d. per gal. for skimmed 

 milk, was estimated to be 5s. o\d. per lb. during the period 

 of investigation. 



Five farms (marked X on the subjoined table) were nominated 

 by representatives of the National Farmers' Union, and four 

 farms were nominated by representatives of the Dockers' 

 Union on behalf of the miners. 



A representative of the Ministry of Food visited each farm 

 for the purpose of obtaining full data in regard to the number 

 of cows dry or in milk, the amount of milk produced, and 

 the quantities and kinds of food fed to the cattle. It is to 

 be regretted that the farmers themselves were neither aware 

 of the total quantities of foods fed nor of the proportion given 

 to the cows that were in milk or were dry, for which reason 

 it has been an impossible task to arrive at the exact cost of 

 production, although the conclusion arrived at may be regarded 

 as approximately accurate. 



