FEB. 3 
James T. Bell of Albert University, Belleville, bee 
who was unable to be present. 
Mr. C. E. Chadwick of Ingersoll addressed nit 
the Convention, giving a historical sketch of the is 1 
development of factory che ese-making in Canada. >m| 
He estimates the total value of Canadian dairy the 
products in 1875 at ten millions of dollars. Be- mt 
sides, there was begun a large export of Cana- P« 
dian beef to England, which has grown up within fro 
a year. 
In the afternoon there was a discussion upon ate 
The Refuse of the Dairy—Its Use and Abuse. ’ ica 
This was the subject of a paper that was to have eni 
been read by J. S. Vanduzen of Elmira. He. bu 
too. could not be present, and Prof. Arnold led in 
off in tbo discussion. i ter 
At the close of the Convention. Secretary An- wb 
nolo had to read from Scovhj.e's report of the tin 
Centennial Dairy Ring’s operations. Scoville coi 
was absent, nnd doubtless feared to come to the th< 
front and he catechised. Of course Mr. Abnoi.d he 
and other members of the Ring present would ini 
not be supposed to know anything about the 
affair. The Herald man says the report was th: 
<■■ both amusing and depressing reading." da 
Scovii.le reports the amonnt drawn out of the th 
fund for the expenses of the P.ing Committee ju 
to be 81,136 39- He does not state whether the n0 
whole sum was used by Lewis. Shell and him- br 
self, or whether Hawley and Arnold got a th 
share. Blandish, according to tbo report, was fo 
paid $9,820 and the sum of $180 is t till due him. f V i 
The report also states that the eompartrnont u lj 
milk-pans, rotary butter-worker, Howe scales, qq 
curd knives and dog-power were carried off’ by 
D. L. Pope, Superintendent of the Dairy Sec- 
tion. The property carried off by Mr. Pope 
was valued by the rnanufactm-ers at about $700. “ 
He took the properrty on pretence of having ^ 
advanced about $10 in freight charges.’ 
Scoville thus endeavors to make a point m 
against Mr. Pope. He does not state that the m 
manufacturers of those implements put them in ^ 
the hands of Mr. Pope, preferring that he cj 
should have them to their being gobbled up by 
the Ring. Neither does he state the efforts Q 
which Scoville and ids Committee made to 
oust Mr. Pope from the position of Superintend- f( 
ent and their failure to accomplish the object. ^ 
Nor does ho allude, even in the most distant ^ 
manner, to the Committee’s refusal to pay Mr. ^ 
Pope for money advanced to carry out the little ^ 
show of display that was made. Mr. Pope, we ^ 
presnmo, can make a good reply to all of Sco- ‘ 
ville’s charges and have something to say ot ^ 
the Committee’s doings besides. t 
The report appears to have been sprinkled 
with much bitterness against the persons and 
papers exposing the doings of tho Dairy Ring, 
and could never have passed without receiving 1 
its just deserts in a Convent on of dairymen 1 
from tho States. 
This paper of SoovnxE’s closed the proceed- - 
ings of the American Dairymen’s Association in t 
Canada. The following are the names of the £ 
officers elected for the ensuing year: 1 
President—Hon. Horatio Seymour of New ’ 
York. . 
Ticc-Presidents— C. E. Chadwick, Ingersoll; | 
X. A. "Willard, Herkimer County; T. D. Curtis. 
Onondaga Connty, O. S. Bliss, Vermont; M. : 
Folsom, New York City; Prof. E. W. Stewart, 
Erie County; Stephen Favill, Wwoomdn; C. L. 
Sheldon, Lewis County; Thomas Eallantyne, 
i M. P., Stratford, Ont.; G. B. Weeks, Onon¬ 
daga County; L. B. Richardson, Kerwood,Out.; 
Dr. E. G. Crafts, Broome County; Chas. House, 
Lewis County; A- M. Fuller, Pennsylvania J 
G. Cahoe, Chautauqua County; Madison Cooper, 
Jefferson County, H I. Oakes, Cattaraugus 
County; Israel Boies, Illinois; C. F. Whittier, 
Minnesota; Jonn T. Ellsworth. Massachusetts; 
Hon. W. A. Johnson, Erie County; Dr. L L. 
Wight. Oneida County; Peter R. Daly. Belle 
ville, Ont.; L. Straight, Ohio; Chester Hazen, i 
Wisconsin; Prof. L. Witherell, Massachusetts; 
E. Casswell, Ingersoll, Ont.; Edward Norton | 
Connecticut; H. S. Loseo. Norwich, Ont ; Capt. i 
H. S. Gardner, Tompkins County ; John Stewart, 
Iowa; P. H. Buchard, Illinois; Geo. Hamilton, 
Cromarty, Ont.; Benjamin llopkins, Browns¬ 
ville, Ont.; C. H Wilder, Wisconsin; O. C. 
Blodgett, Chautauqua County ; D. H. Burrili, 
Herkimer Comity; J. M- Peters, New York City; 
S. A. Farrington, California. 
Secretary—L. B. Arnold, Rochester, N. Y. 
Treaeurer—Hon. Harris Lewis, Frankfort, 
N. Y. 
-A-*-*- 
SUGGESTIVE FACTS CONCERNING MILK. 
At the recent Convention of the New York 
State Dairymen’ a Association, Dr. Henry A. 
Mott, of New York City, gave an address on 
« Milk,” which is of much interest and value 
He treated his subject in a highly scientific man¬ 
ner, giving au account of the latest researches 
and investigations concerning it- Wo give the 
following brief abstract of some of the points 
discussed, as they may be of special interest to 
I dairymen. 
MILk BASES. 
{ Dr. Mott states that the gases of milk have 
been analyzed by Stetschenow and Pleeg'er. 
They find carbonic oxide gas, oxygen, and 
nitrogen in variable proportions. And he says it 
is very certain that, if these gases contained no 
impurity or adulteration, we would not know of s 
the odor of milk; for neither carbonic oxide, 1 
nitrogen, nor oxygen, alone or together, when 
pure, possess tho odor characteristic of milk 
from different animals. 
The gases are, therefore, more or less adulter, 
ated; but the adulteration iti too fine for chem¬ 
ical analysis to detect. The volume of gas pres¬ 
ent in normal milk has been proved constant; 
but in abnormal milk the gas is greatly increased 
in volume, aud the odor becomes more charac¬ 
teristic—not of the milk, hut of the animal from 
which it is obtained. It is only necessary to run < 
the animal, especially the cow, to produce a milk < 
containing a very disagreeable odor. It may, 
therefore, be stated that the odor is different, in 
health and in disease, and very abundant and 1 
infectious in cases of fever. 
Dairymen will observe the practical bearing of ( 
this statement on tho care and management of 
dairy stock. Dr. Mott seems to favor the idea 
that normal milk produces no gases that are in¬ 
jurious to the product, and he cites the fact that 
normal milk is not injurious to the child at the 
breast of its mother. On tho other hand, he 
thinks, if examinations were made, it would bo 
found that when sickness occurs from drinking 
fresh cow’s milk, tho milk would be proved to be 
abnormal, iustead of normal. 
CONCERNINQ THE REACTION Of MILK WHEN FRESHLY DRAWN. 
The reaction of milk, he says, depends on this : 
If carbonic acid is to be considered an element 
of milk, then milk has an acid reaction ; if not, 
then the reaction is alkaline. In the large num¬ 
ber of teats of fresh cow’b milk which have been 
made by him. he finds in every case (when tho 
milk was freshly drawn) a more or less deter¬ 
mined acid reaction. Tu some cases tho acid 
reaction was scarcely perceptible; but in such 
cases tho samples had beta brought a long dis¬ 
tance, and, in conseqnenco, more or less carbonic 
oxide gas had escaped, and in thi 3 case he ob¬ 
tained wbat theory might demand — a violet 
reaction for both red and blue litmus paper. 
The acid reaction of milk, ho concludes, is only 
due to the presence of carbonic acid, which, 
when completely expelled, leaves tho lluid always 
decidedly alkaline. This explanation of Dr. 
Mott’s will account for the different viewB of 
chemists on the condition of milk, and is vain 
able to experimenters in their investigations in 
tliis direction. 
CONCERNING THE SPECIFIC ORAVITY Of MILK. 
The specific gravity of milk from a large num¬ 
ber of cows, as made by distinguished and well- 
known chemists, is given. Of the mill; of some 
512 cows, part, examined in this country and 
some in Europe, tho highest specific gravity ob- 
i tainod was 1.08G4; tbo lowest, 1.0284 ; and tho 
. average, 1.032. lie, therefore, concludes that 
tho specific gravity of cow’s milk, in its normal 
. condition, will always range between these two 
limits—viz., 1.0284 and 1.0301 : and, further, 
that when the specific gravity of cow’s milk is 
’ below 1 0284, wo may bo sure that either tho 
’ milk is abnormal, or is not a fair sample of all 
the mill; that could bo obtained from the cow, or 
that it has been tampered with, or that the in¬ 
strument is incorrect, or that the conventional 
’ temperature at which the test is made (C0° Fahr.) 
has not been observed. 
13. Has animal been worried? 
14. Has animal plenty of food ? 
15. Was it sample of morning or evening milk ? 
Ho gives tho following as the average compo¬ 
sition of milk derived from no less then than 
1,000 analysis; 
Water .86.60 
Milk solids... 13.40 
Total.100.04 
Ottsetae. 4.«J 
Total..*. 13.40 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FIRST-OBAWN AND LAST- 
DRAWN MILK. 
Tho explanation given in regard to the cause 
of tho first-drawn milk being of so much poorer 
quality than tho strippings or last-drawn milk is, 
he says, oa account of tho rising of the cream 
from the milk which accumulates in the udder 
and in tho galactophoroiia tubes, thereby coat¬ 
ing tbo surface of tlio tubes, from which it is 
only completely removed by a thorough milker, i 
in tliis Dr. Mott follows the old explanation, 
while tho more recent views of physiologists are, 
that tho minute secretive cells are only a stage 
of development of tho butter globules, and aro 
being cast off at tho close of milking more freely, 
and are mingled with less of the watery portions 
of the milk, as would result from tho milk re¬ 
maining in the udder a longer time. Hence, it 
would follow that tho oftener a cow was milked 
the richer tho milk. 
Dr. Mott’s address is very suggestive, and we 
regard it, on the whole, as a very valuable con¬ 
tribution. 
--- 
THE WINTER DROUGHT - SUGGESTIONS 
FOR THE FUTURE SUPPLY OF WATER. 
will require considerable water to moisten it, 
and they should bo supplied at least twice dur¬ 
ing the day—morning aud evening. But when 
water is obtained with difficulty, and cattle get 
it irregularly, their health becomes impaired, 
and serious losses are apt to occur. We think 
there is quite as much necessity for providing 
water of easy access in winter as in summer. 
Every dairyman knows, or ought to know, that 
cows must come out in spring in good, healthy, 
thrifty condition, in order to make the best re¬ 
turns during tho summer. If it takes half the 
milking season for the animal to recuperate nnd 
regain tho loss of condition from bad winter 
management, it must he evident but little profit 
can be realized. Many an animal, on this ac¬ 
count does not pay tho cost of keeping; and, wo 
fear, such will be the ease in some of tho herds 
of Central Now York which are illy supplied with 
water during tho present winter. Of course, it 
is difficult to do anything now to remedy the de¬ 
fect . but tho present troubles should be a warn¬ 
ing to dairymen to make ample provisions an¬ 
other year for such contingency, and it would bo 
well, at this season, that plans be made nnd 
matured as to tho best manner of securing the 
desired object. 
IN REGARD TO THE CDLDR Or MILK. 
The opaque and whito appearance of milk, 
which has bc-en supposed to be due to the milk 
globules, ho says, it is now known is chiefly 
due to the reflection and refraction of light from 
the solid caseous envelopes which sm - round the 
milk globules, and he refers to Dr. Cameron’s 
proof of this, by calling attention to the fact 
that buttermilk containing 0.5 of fats was whiter 
than skimmed milk containing 1.3 to 2 per cent, 
of fats. In the former case the caseous envel¬ 
opes or the milk globules were left, and from tho 
latter a large proportion was removed in the 
form of cream; therefore, the white, opaque 
appearance of milk is not due to the liquid being 
simply an emulsion of fats, as was supposed. 
CONDITIONS WHICH AFFECT THE COMPOSITION Of MILK. 
With respect to the composition of cow’s milk, 
the following conditions are enumerated as af¬ 
fecting it; 
1. Ago Of the animal ? 
2 . The number cf calves the animal has had ? 
3. How long after birth of calf was sample 
j obtained? 
4. Breed of animal ? 
5. Color of animal ? 
6 . Which teat was sample obtained from ? 
7 . Was sample a fair average of all the milk 
that could be obtained at tho regular time of 
milking ? 
8 . Or was sample taken at the beginning, 
middle, or end of milking ? 
9. How large the secretion ? 
10. Is animal in perfect health ? 
11 . Or is animal diseased or pregnant ? 
12. Of strong or weak constitution ? 
Dairymen in Central New York have been ( 
much troubled this winter in getting a supply of J, 
water for stocks. It was very dry during the 
fall, but tho weather prophets confidently pro- 
dieted that winter could not set in without a , g 
liberal supply of rain to soak the ground, to fill ^ 
tho swamps, to raise the springs and streams, ^ 
bo that there should bo no dearth Of water for 
man or beast. But tho rains did not come, and 
winter set in with unusual severity, followed * 
by high winds and deep snows. Many dairymen 
have found old springs and streams that here- 
toforo were unfailing, gradually growing lesB ^ 
and less, nnd on the approach of January they ^ 
become entirely dried up, leaving the stock to ^ 
be supplied from other sources. We hoar of 
cattle being driven long distances to water, and 
in other cases only scantily supplied by pumping ^ 
from wells that are uearly dry. y 
No one can properly appreciate the lack of j 
water in winter, unless he has had some expe- I Q 
ricneo in this direction. But to have a large Q 
herd of cattle on your hands in such a winter hb { 
this, with fierce winds sweeping the snow in f 
heavy drifts over the roads and paths, and then c 
to break roads from day to day and drivo stock a 
long distance, or let them go without water, . 
knowing they cannot long survive without it, j 
will be found a most serious drawback to tho 
pleasures of dairying, to say the least j 
There aro several ways to meet au emergency ^ 
of ibis kind, and attention should bo given to , 
the matter on all dairy farms that have a scar- , 
city of water near tho stables, or where there is 
the remotest possibility of tho supply giving out j 
iu winter When running water cannot be had 
at or near tho stables, large cisterns can he sunk 
on the premises, which will accumulate enough 
water during summer or fall to supply stock 
during the roughest weather in winter, Wo 
have known small herds to be supplied almost 
entirely from this Bourco during winter. 
Recently, the plan of obtaining water by 
drive-wells has been adopted with success in 
some sections, and permanent water has tbuB 
been obtained. Wells have thus been driven 
inside tho barn, near the head of the Btanchions, 
and by having a trough along in front of the 
! cows as they 3tand in tbo stable, water Is pump¬ 
ed, from day to day, sufficient for their wants. 
} In rough, stormy weather this is found to bo a 
f groat convenience, Binco tho watering is effected 
without liability of injury to cattle, while at the 
same time the man iu charge la sheltered and 
, cau easily do the work which would require two 
- I or tln-eo persons iu opening roads and getting 
the stock to water over a long distance. 
The next beat thing to running water is a well 
? of permanent water, with pump operated by 
e wind-power. Wind-mills are now-so constructed 
as to, in a great measure, regulate themselves, 
requiring but little care and attention, and a 
good water supply may be kept up by conducting 
trie waste water from the vat back again into the 
k well, thus furnishing a stream of miming water 
if in aud out of the vat most of the time. 
There is no doubt that cattle often suffer 
5 , severely from want of water iu winter, even when 
the supply is of comparatively easy access ; for 
in rough, cold weather they will often prefer to 
go without water than to travel through the 
snow and cold after it. When cows are fed ex¬ 
clusively on hay or dry fodder in winter, they 
CHICKENS AND CHUFAS. 
Mr. Editor : —Some three or four years ago I 
took that portion of my outbuildings, which lmd j 
previously been devoted to a cow stable and fowl 
house combined, and made of it a fowl house, 
per se. It lias a southorn exposure, protected on 
the west by the barn proper I put inside some 
cold frame sash that T bad on hand, to convoy 
light and warmth in the winter, removing them 
in tho summer. On the cast end J put a largo 
sash, which admits tho first rays of trio sun. It 
is not an expensive house, but still it is quite 
comfortablo, and frozen nombs aro rare among 
my fowls, and then only on exceptionally cold 
nights. It has been bocii by many and ap¬ 
proved of. Among tho approvers is a neighbor 
of mine, who also keeps poultry, and is so ten¬ 
der-hearted, that whenever his poultry is to bo 
killed for his table or for market ho gets as far 
away from tlio scene as it is possible, and yot that 
very man lots most of his fowls and turkeys 
roost in tho tree.s or fences all tho year round. 
He erected some apologies for lien-liouses, 
two years ago, but never took tho proper means 
to ludneo his fowls to take r-bolter in them, 
though poor they bo. Romo of them, of course, 
do got in tlioSO sheds, but they are nearly as badly 
off as those who tako to the trees. Tlio combs 
of all of them aro frozen black. Jin is a liberal 
feeder, if treading down tho snow iu numerous 
places and spreading corn plentifully thereon, 
can be called feeding. Ha does not seem to ex¬ 
pect or care for any return from his fowls, and 
yet lie will complain that it costs so much to 
koep fowls. 
As I have said before, ho has seen my hen¬ 
house, and believes that It will pay; but still ho 
persists in his want, of system, and groans over 
the expense. If I had not known him prior to 
tho publication of Mr. White’s rules for making 
fowls miserable, I should tnink lio had been 
studying them, and was endeavoring to outdo 
everyone in that line. T think that ho would bo 
a good subject for somo of Beuoii’u disciples to 
practice upon, for it dooa certainly make one’s 
heart sick to see tho poor things alight from 
their roosts, wade through tho snow, fill their 
' crops and again resort to their parchos, to sit 
and freeze aud got hungry again. It’ liis hens 
r lay any eggs, they are of courso frozen and 
1 broken before they aro found. 
} Strange as it may appear, I commenced to 
I write you at this tirno on the subject of Chufas, 
’ which you mention in tho issue of the 6 th inst. 
0 How are they cultivated, and where cau tiio seed 
* be had ? Y’ou doseriho them as Earth Almond ; 
'• but as that, to mo, is a meager definition, I hu i 
a recourse to Wsrster's Unabridged, but failed to 
II derive any light therefrom. Do they resemble 
0 peanuts? Can you mention any nut that they 
resemble which is common hereabouts. 
You say that you have referred to it scores 
B of times. While I cannot dispute it, Btill I have 
never seen any article upon it, and consequently 
am ignorant, which ignorance please enlighten. 
Can fowls bo allowed to run overground planted 
with it ? If they will do it no harm and it is 
ri ' good feed for 9tock, 1 want to try my hand at 
* raising it. It will bo book farming, it is true, 
lg but as I believe in that kind of farming, I am 
willing to risk being laughed at. «• 2 - 
Klilgowood, N, J. 
er Chickens and Chufas are certainly widely dif- 
en ferent commodities; but as you candidly admit 
or your ignorance of tho latter, we will excuse you 
to for compounding such a strange mixture of sub- 
he jects. The ChuTas, or Earth Almond, is a dwarf 
;x- species of grass, with a tuberous root, and closely 
iey allied to the notorious Nut-grass or Coco ( Cyper- 
