APRIL as 
in January wo rundo in two weeks, from that 
cow’s milk, nineteen pounds of butter, and it 
was very lino indeed. Bat the last winter I had 
her the butter was bitter and unfit for use. 
Without inquiring minutely into the rcft&on of 
the change. I made up my mind Unit wo had lost 
the art of making good butter, and determined 
to sell the cow and not keep another, and sell 
her I did, I had, however, a heifer-calf from 
another cow, which I thought a great deal of, 
and I raised her, buying my butter till she got 
old enough to milk. 
She had her first calf last July, and proved to 
have a good flow of milk; but still she could not 
make butter enough for my family. Last fall, 
accordingly, I bought another Alderney cow 
with which I became enamored, and we had very 
excellent butter till the weather got to be too 
cold, when the butter became bitter again, and 
I—well, 1 became sick, very sick of cows, and 
butter, especially of tho bitter kind. 
I thought the matter, however, worthy of 
thorough investigation. By inquiry, I found 
that in the first iustanco tho milk had been kept- 
in the kitchen, where the heat was sufficient to 
cause the cream to rise in due time. Tho cellar 
had been substituted for the kitchen, and by the 
time tho cream gathered there it was bitter. 
My business, at tho time of the purchase of tho 
first Alderney, called me away from homo daily, 
and I never realized where tho milk was kept. 
It never occurred to mo that tho cellar was too 
cool, till sonic ono suggested it, and then J 
placed A thermometer thoro. This quickly told 
me that it was too cool. I put a stove there, 
aud kept tho thermometer at about GO . Since 
that time my butter has boon as good as anybody 
could wish. 
I will hero mention that, last fall, three days’ 
milk of the Alderney cow produced live pounds 
of batter, at the time when her calf was a month 
old. b. p. 
--- 
THE OHIO CLAIM OF INAUGURATING 
ASSOCIATED DAIRYING. 
A writer in the Country Gentleman attempts 
to claim for Ohio all the credit for inaugurating 
and establishing the factory system Of cheese¬ 
making, and he affirms also that associated 
dairying was an established fact years before tho 
advent of Mr. Jesse William*. The earliest 
testimony given is a quotation from the Albany 
Cultivator, for 1849, as follows: 
“ Cheese Factories.- In the Western Reserve 
Ohio, where tho making of cheese has been 
largely carried on for several years, a change of 
system has lately taken place to some extent. 
Certain men who are well acquainted with the 
manufacture of cheese, purchase tho runl, mi- 
salted, of their neighbors, and make it into that 
kind of cheese for which they find tho readiest 
sale and the best price. A single manufacturer 
sometimes uses the curd produced from the 
milk of several hundred cows. It is gathered 
every morning by men who call at the different 
farms for that purpose. These large establish¬ 
ments are called factories. The- Coimeaut Re¬ 
porter notices some factories wliich, it is stated, 
use 8,000 pounds of curd daily, making from 20 
to 30 cheeses of from 15 to 30 pounds each. 
Some of the cheese is sent to tho English markets, 
some to the West Indies and some to California." 
Extracts are given from other papers of 1850, 
1851, 1852, showing that cheese factors purchased 
the green curd from the farm dairymen, paying 
the latter from three to four cents a pound for 
it aud calling at their doors regularly every week¬ 
day morning for it, and tliuB much labor and 
responsibility were got rid of in curing and mar¬ 
keting the article, etc. 
We have no desire to detract in the least from 
any credit duo to Ohio for this plan of cheese 
factories and associated dairying, if it can be 
called such, for the whole plan was regarded as 
a stupendous failure when the system inaugurated 
by Jesse Williams first become known. In 
fact it might as well be claimed that the creamery 
or butter factory system was inaugurated by the 
country merchants at an earlier date than that 
recorded by this writer, because tho country 
merchants purchased the butter direct from the 
farmers and repacked it in kegs, tubs, and 
barrels and thus shipped it to market. 
Jesse Williams took no copy of the Ohio 
plan, which had none of the elements of the asso¬ 
ciated system of dairying, for the farmers -imply 
sold their curds to the buyer instead of the 
cured cheese. Williams on the other hand 
inaugurated the true system of association. 
Tho farmers united their milk at one establish¬ 
ment, paying a certain sum for its manufacture, 
and owning the choose in common, selling it in 
common and dividing the proceeds according to 
the amount of milk which each man furnished. 
Factories were established in which the farmers 
became joint owners, and tho farmers of a 
neighborhood controlled the running of the 
factory aud the sale of the cheese, each one 
having a voice and vote in proportion to his in¬ 
terest in the concern and the amount of milk 
furnished. If there was any money to be made, 
tho plan inaugurated by Williams, gave tho 
farmers all the benefit, and if lossos resulted 
they fell on the farmers. In fine, the plan of 
■Williams contemplated a complete partnership, 
or associated system, while that adopted in Ohio, 
was an individual affair in which the farmers 
had no voice or interest beyond accepting or re¬ 
fusing the price offered for their manufactured 
curds. 
In Williams’ plan great progress and perfection 
in dairy goods were possiblo. because tho whole 
art of manufacturing from the raw material was 
delegated to persons employed directly or in¬ 
directly by the farmers, and who could not shift 
responsibility of their work upon others. Hence 
these manufacturers began to study the nature 
of milk and the various processes of manufacture 
and soon thoro began to spring up an emulation 
and a desire to oxcoil among the different 
makers. It was this spirit that led to the organi¬ 
zation of dairy associations and an effort to ob¬ 
tain knowledge concerning tho business which 
was entered upon as a profession. 
The Ohio plan conld not prove successful, or 
result in any groat progress of tho cheoso-makiug 
art,, because tho chief work of manufacturing 
was left for tho farmers themselves. Tho curds 
from tho different dairios all differed in texture, 
and by no subsequent, process could they be re¬ 
duced to such uniformity as ivlion the milk was 
massed together and liandlod by one operator. 
The Ohio plan did not rcliove tho farmers’wives 
from any bunions; they still had to slave ovor 
the cheese tub and take all tho blamo for any 
mishap or defect in tho curds, when they were 
put in the hands of tho buyer. It is surprising, 
therefore, that, such a llialsy claim should bo sot 
lip to deprive Mr. Williams of bis well-earned 
reputation as tho originator of the American 
system of associated dairying, inaugurated in 
1851, and which has so successfully aud rapidly 
spread ovor tho Continent. Tho system of 
Williams has been carried to Europe and is 
spreading over England which has always been 
slow to adopt American ideas. Tho Ohio plan 
of buying curds must be regarded as a failuro. 
It did not give satisfaction to farmers or manu¬ 
facturers, and was soon abandoned as a “ bad 
egg-” 
SHEEP THE MAINSTAY OF AGRICULTURE. 
When* sheep husbandry becomes universal in 
tho States, the management will be such as to 
make it evident to tho most casual observer that 
the farmer could not possibly make bis farm pay 
without a numerous flock of sheep, and it will 
be bitterly regretted that so much of tho fertility 
has been lost to tho country by sending grain 
and corn away instead of having kept sheep. 
It is essential that there should bo ram breed¬ 
ers who pay particular attention to tho produc¬ 
tion of an uniformly true-bred race, and to re¬ 
imburse them for extra core and expense, no ono 
should grudge the paying of a good price, for it 
does not pay for a man to uso rams of his own 
breeding in a flock originating from mongrels. 
One of the host recommendations a tenant 
farmer in England can have, is that ho so man¬ 
ages as to feed and bring round a larger flock of 
sheep than Ids neighbor, in proportion to tho 
number of acres. It is hut a few years siuco the 
highest premium given by the Royal Agricultu¬ 
ral Society of England, went to a farm which 
grew prodigious crops and was in the very bight 
of fertility, owing to tho great number of slieep 
bred, raised and fattened on it every year. Here 
the accounts proved how remunerating this sys¬ 
tem really was, for it could not bo attributed to 
the farmer's bodily labor aud his groat industry, 
as it would bo in America, fur the farm was a 
rented one and tho tenant a widow. This woman, 
however, put to shame thousands of men who 
are trombhngly afraid of high feeding, lor she 
had paid *1,200 per year for oilcake, hesidoB 
feeding grain, Ac., in great profusion, which all 
came back to her again m the immense crops, 
and recollect, ye American landowners, this was 
not her own land. 
In America great stress is laid on the caution 
not to cross tho breeds and to respect each pure¬ 
bred variety as sacred, and not to be defiled by 
any other blood. But the United States is a 
free country, and say what any one chooses to 
say about purity of blood and keeping it uncon- 
laminated by other kinds of strains or even by 
totally foreigu blood, it has aided clear-headed 
and deep-thinking men to cross or give dashes 
of fresh blood in order to bring about the shape, 
tho fleece and the particular teudoncy to maturo 
early they sought. Hence it will not be worth 
while for intelligent, wide-awake men to bo in¬ 
fluenced by the cautions of interested breeders 
against taking a dip of any new blood which they 
have reason to believe will bo beneficial. 
Bead the history of the Hampshire Gown, and 
though no one can deny the extraordinary im¬ 
provement which was here effected in a very 
short time, yet it is so well known that It cannot 
be disputed that thoro was a good deal of crossing 
resorted to, when tho Ilampshiro Down was 
boing improved and established. Then, again, 
everybody has read how Bakewell searched tho 
country through to find tho frame, shapo and 
general appoarauco his faultless taste told 
him were required to supply tho markets of that 
period. Afterward ho kept close to the ewes and 
rams which proved true to tho standard he had 
erected, and consequently, it is not worth while 
to be afraid of a dash or a cross of fresh blood, 
when any thoughtful farmer can see it would 
supply some deficiency in his flock, or would de¬ 
cidedly improve his sheep. 
The Oxford Down is an established breed, and 
that was almost, a direct cross botwoeu two 
different breeds, for the men who first started 
this variety did it oponly and neighbors watched 
tho effect doubtiuglv, and only admitted the 
success when tho offspring and descendants 
commenced to win premiums and tho admiration 
of the public generally. 
Tho Merino is more or less intermixed with all 
the grade flocks in the United States, and these 
grades arc a very usofnl, hardy breed which 
being all hut native and thoroughly acclimated, 1 
should bo the foundation of any flock intended 
in tho future to bring in au annual profit from 
wool and mutton. 
A good judge of sheep, with practical knowl¬ 
edge of tho host and must salable mutton and 
wool, has, at this present day. a good opportunity 
to distinguish himself by breeding and establish¬ 
ing a new variety, which would combine the 
best characteristics of tho inntton and fine- 
woolcd sheep, and which would hear confinement 
in winter better than somo of our present breeds 
do. Tho South, however, will doubtless eventu¬ 
ally become the great sheOp district of tho 
States and there will not bo occasion for much 
shelter there. Probably it may bo found that 
quite different breeds will ho required for tho 
warm and cold climates of this country, for in 
England. Wales, and Scotland which combined 
form a miniature of this vast Continent, nature 
has diversified the breeds to suit tho highlands, 
tho mountains, the ''alloys, the forests aud the 
broad plains. 
When sheep husbandry becomes general overy 
precaution will bo taken to provont any Huddou 
storm from destroying tlio prosperity of any 
flock, for thoro must and will bo a shepherd on 
overy farm, and of course with tho common 
forecast used in regard to other stock, in having 
food etc. always on hand for occasional need, 
there will he no losses but such as the English 
and all other sheep-raisers are liable to. In my 
next I will describe tho English management of 
Rheop on tho farms rented and occupied, year 
after year, by tho common tenants, aud the 
average price got for fat sheep, wool, etc. 
WEANING LAMBS. 
Ix a series of articles on Sheep Husbandry, 
published lately in the Colorado Farmer, wo find 
tho following hints on weauiug lambs: 
About niuety days is a proper time for tho 
lambs to run with their mothers, and when a 
flock is large enough to justify a driver of the 
flock, tho lambs that are dropped the first three 
weeks can be put in one flock, and tho weaning 
can be done at two times without auy injury to 
the younger lambs. Somo Hook-masters have 
adopted the erroneous aud injurious practice of 
not weaning, or rather depending upon tho 
mother to wean tho lamb. This practice will 
not hurt tho lamb, but will keep the mother 
poor, and she will bo likely to fail to have a 
lamb the coming season, or if she does she will 
bo ho weak that great risk will bo run in winter¬ 
ing her. The bettor plan is to wean tho lamb at 
about three months of ago, and if any are small 
then give them extra attention in tho fall and 
early winter, and little risk will ho run in winter¬ 
ing them. Wo have always found it best to wean 
our lambs on tho range they have been in the 
habit of grazing ovor with their mothers. They 
will bo more contented, and by putting in with 
them a few dry ewes, will soon learn to herd aud 
can be managed with ease. But be sure to give 
them the advantage of good fresh feed, so soon 
as thoy have forgotten their mother ; don’t let 
them lose their lamb’s flesh, and there will be no 
difficulty in wintering them. Lambs should be 
kept separate from the old sheep, and in winter, 
especially in cold nights, should not be kept in 
too large bunches; temporary division should 
he mad’e in their corrals to provont orowdiug and 
piling, tho chief cause of tho loss of lambs in 
cold weather, aud this can bo prevented by the 
means we have suggested. 
Another question and an important one pre¬ 
sents itself for the consideration of sheep men 
who contemplate entering this business exten¬ 
sively. Unless the General Government shall 
legislate so that large tracts of our waste and 
barren lands Can bo purchased ut a very low 
price per acre, or that largo areas can be leased 
as in Australia, it is useless in Colorado to expect 
to own aud control, in one place, great, bands of 
sheep, as are held in Now Mexico on tho land 
grants of that Territory. Five thousand sheep 
are about as many as can ho conveniently and 
profitably held on ono range, and smaller num¬ 
bers are better. But in our opinion this is much 
better for our State, tho smaller tho flocks the 
more people wo will havo, and with people come 
the other advantages of civilization ovor tho 
frontier. 
[This article is republished by request—E d.] 
flic |}oultnr Jlarir. 
THE FIRST CHICKS. 
One of the most interesting sights in nature 
is to watch a hen with her young chicks. It is 
pleasing to observe any animal with its young 
aud notice its solicitude. But what animal is 
thoro that shows so much gentleness and care, 
combined with dauntless courage, as a hon ? 
See her oye flashing in every direction, watching 
for enemies, as she struts about boldly, ready to 
give battle to any intruder. Now she looks 
down to her chargo with tho touderest care, 
cluck, clucking, to keep thorn together and to 
Camiliiirizo them with her voice. Sco how she 
watches evory movement made by her chicliH, 
and how they keop looking up at their mother’s 
face, to loam her wishes ; how soon they oom- 
prohoud her language when slm invites them to 
sumo nicety; and again, watch how she scratches 
industriously for more. Her voice of warning, 
in case of danger, is quickly understood. An 
ordinary notice of danger is simply a low, trilling 
murmur, deepening in tone at tho approach of 
an unfriendly visitor; but let a hawk hover ovor 
tho yard, and then hear her sharp cry of terror, 
and sco how tho little things run and hide to 
escape the peril. Their little chirping is in¬ 
stantly hushed, waiting for the assuring word 
from mother that all is right again. What can 
ho more funny than to see tho hen scratch out a 
largo worm and a chick get hold of each end of 
it, towing each other around, while tho rest of 
tho family are watching tho result, with interest ? 
Home mothers are very careful to break up tho 
food when it is too largo for tho little mouths. 
They will also take the chicks to a warm corner 
to stretch iu.id bask iu tho sun. When their 
little crops are filled, their satisfaction is 
acknowledged by tho light, singing noiso they 
make, as if thanking their mother for bor care, 
while nestled under her feathers. What is there 
in nature more interesting than a hen with littlo 
chickens ? Henry Hales. 
- 
A CURIOUS COMBAT. 
WE have in our poultry yard, in Now Jersey, a 
large, handsome turkey aud somo five or six 
Russian ducks. The old turkey is of a very 
quiet and peaceful nature, aud when it, happens 
that two roosters fight, ho always interferon and 
restores peace. Last night (April 12), at feed¬ 
ing-time, while this turkey was standing near 
tho Russian drake, ho inadvertently struck at 
him in picking up his corn. The drake instant ly 
became enraged at this and attacked the turkey 
in a furious manner, when a curious fight en¬ 
sued. Although the old turkey seemed not to 
care about fighting, he had to defend himself 
against tho attacks of tho duck, which jumped 
upon him with flapping wings, all the time ut¬ 
tering tho hoarse, croaking sound peculiar to 
those birds. 
The turkey retaliated by striking him on the 
head with his bill several times. Tho drake 
retreated a short distance, and then flew upon 
him with redoubled force, seizing with his bill 
tho nock of tho turkey and holding it to the 
ground for some time. Whop tho turkey had 
disengaged himself, ho left the drake, but the 
latter followed him, took hold of tho fleshy part 
of his neck and drew him to the ground, causing 
him to fall over, and thus they struggled for 
some time. When tho turkey got to his foot, 
the drake again attacked him, and thus the 
combat lasted for about fifteen minutes, and 
was stopped only by the utter exhaustion of the 
drake, which remained iu its place, unable to 
follow tho other fowl. 
I havo seen many fights between fowls, but 
one like this I have never before witnessed. 
Tho drake sustained severe injuries on his head, 
and the turkey’s proud neck has lost its stately 
appearance somewhat. N, o. i>. 
-. 
Let the Hex and her Brood feed together. 
—Somo stingy and ungrateful keepers of poultry 
would prevent a poor hon from sharing the 
dainties placed before her chickens, by keeping 
her ofcged in a coop, while they are feeding out¬ 
side, At first this Is cruel, as the mother has to 
make up for having fallen off iu appetite through 
over-excitement aud anxiety during tho last few 
days of incubation. A few weeks later, however, 
when aho has grown selfish, a separate table 
often becomes necessary. 
