14 
BULLETIN 661, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
of the longer pieces. This allows for a 5-inch projection of each 
end of the shorter pieces. A 32 -inch piece of 4 by 4 inch fitted at the 
middle into one. of the short pieces, so as to form a cross, serves as 
the floor support. Fourteen-inch pieces of 4 by 4 inch are toenailed 
to the crosspiece at each end flush with the uprights. On the top 
of the floor support surfaced boards are nailed. It is advisable to 
place a shallow pan of galvanized 
iron on top of the boards for the 
; ^^^^^ purpose of diverting the drainage 
water to one side, thus preventing 
it from running on to the lower 
part of the press rack. The up- 
rights of the rack are braced from 
the opposite sides, the brace run- 
ning from the outside edge of the 
floor platform to a point about 30 
inches above on the upright. The 
whole press frame is bolted together 
with f-inch bolts which are as long 
as the uprights, and one is placed 
parallel with and on the inside of 
each upright. Heavy iron plates 
are used for washers on the top 
and bottom crosspieces. Press jack- 
screws can be placed in the top 
crosspiece, which should be of 4 by 
G inch material or with ordinary 
jackscrews 4 by 4 inch material 
may be used. 
A press of the dimensions given 
will hold the curd of 5,000 pounds 
of buttermilk and can be made 
for about $15, including all labor, 
material, and two jackscrews. By 
increasing the cross dimensions a 
larger press can be made, and it may be advisable to make one wide 
enough to accommodate a mass of curd 30 inches square. It will 
be found advantageous to use two jackscrews in each press to facili- 
tate handling the wet curd. The tendency of the moist curd to press 
unevenly can be better controlled by applying pressure with two 
jackscrews instead of one. If no one is at the plant to maintain a 
continuous pressure on the curd in the press, some other means, such 
as the use of heav}^ railway-car springs, should be provided to main- 
tain the pressure. 
Fig. 5. — Curd press, showing manner of 
pressing moisture from curd. By means 
of heavy car springs a continuous heavy 
pressure may be maintained. 
