08 
Cheese Factories in Derbyshire. 
Many years ago, when the breeding of Galloway cattle was 
extensively practised in the district whence they derive their 
name, and before the cultivation of the turnip became general, 
large droves of this thrifty breed might be yearly seen slowly 
wending their way to the Midland and Southern counties, there 
to be finished off on the rich pastures of the south. It was 
then the fashion to spay all the females not required to keep up 
the herd. The practice still lingers, and occasionally a lot of 
spayed heifers may be seen on Norwich Hill ; they are highly 
esteemed by the grazier, as they graze quietly and lay on flesh 
much quicker than bullocks. 
In some of the dairy districts of America they have adopted 
the system of spaying their milking cows. The operation is per- 
formed about six weeks after calving, and cows of from 6 to 8 
years old are preferred. It is claimed that they produce at 
least one-third more milk, which is also much richer in quality, 
and that the milk will flow unabated for several years in skilful 
hands. The operation of spaying is attended with little risk, and 
the experiment would be a most interesting one to try in this 
country. 
The chief cause of regret in the Derbyshire cheese-factory 
experiment is that the whey has not realised its full value. 
Although a considerable quantity of whey butter was made 
at the Longford factory, none was made at Derby, from the 
want of suitable arrangements. The experience of the past year 
leaves little doubt that, by scalding the whey, from 6 to 8 ozs. 
per cow per week may be gathered. At the Longford factory 
the milk contributors took the whey at -Jc/. per gallon, each man 
being charged with what he received. At Derby a small quan- 
tity of sweet whey was sold each day for drinking, at 2d. per 
gallon ; the rest was disposed of for pig feeding, one farmer 
drawing it a distance of 4 miles. 
As there is a considerable stock of cheese on hand at both 
factories, it is impossible to lay before the public the exact 
financial position of the Association. Suffice it to say that 40 
tons of cheese have been sold at an average of 80s. per 1201bs., 
that the cost of making has been 2s. 3d. per cwt. at Long- 
ford, and 3s. at Derby. A vast number of people have visited 
the factories, more particularly the one at Derby, where there has 
been a constant influx of visitors every day. To no respectable 
person has admittance been refused, and all questions have 
been answered as far as possible. As an entirely new building 
had to be erected at Longford the early part of the season was 
lost. Cheese-making did not commence there until the 20th of 
May ; there were 27 contributors of milk to this factory, forming 
an aggregate of 500 cows ; the quantity of milk supplied was 
