1912. 
T ■ [ 1C K.U K.A. L, ISCE. W-YOKKEK 
711 
A SUCCESSFUL CO-OPERATIVE 
CREAMERY. 
The Story of its Organization. 
Part I. 
The Beginning. —I have read with much 
interest, and some wonder, the many re- 
eent articles in The R. X.-Y. on coopera¬ 
tive enterprises, especially creameries. The 
wonder was caused principally by the seem¬ 
ing doubt that they can be successfully 
run on that plan by any set or community 
of farmers (if the promoting is done by 
farmers themselves). I send a brief ac¬ 
count of the organization and work of our 
creamery company. Three years ago we 
organized a cooperative breeding associa¬ 
tion known as the Litchfield Jersey Cattle 
Club. This is a live organization of 10 
men. promoted by Mr. IV. H. Rowee from 
the Michigan Agricultural College in the 
general plan of that institution for the up¬ 
grading of the farm stock of the State. 
After the organization of this club we be¬ 
gan the discussion of ways and means of 
getting a larger hold on the 35-cent dollar 
we farmers were getting for our products. 
We were grading up our herds to produce 
more, and were taking the utmost care to 
deliver the product to the creamery in the 
finest condition, but could not get a cent 
more than the man who had the scrubs 
and delivered a poor, sour and inferior 
cream. We had built silos, remodeled ouu 
barns, spending money to make a better 
product, and were only laughed at by the 
rest who did not take pains and try to do 
any of these things, but who got just as 
much for their product per pound as we 
did. Of course we were getting greater 
returns for every dollar we laid out in 
feed than they were, but what’s the use 
if a better product will not bring a better 
price ? 
Why Change Was Needed. —The cream¬ 
ery to which we sold our cream was run by 
a set of non-progressive men, and was 
equipped with as( good a lot of old junk as 
could be found in the country, and the 
policy of the managers was to hire the 
cheapest labor and produce any old kind 
of article that was marketable, and paying 
a price for everything delivered to them ac¬ 
cording to the price they could get for 
their butter. As time went on and our 
discussions in the club meetings began to 
open our eyes to see things as they were, 
and we began to realize what could be done 
in the way of betterment of our market 
conditions, we became more and more con¬ 
vinced that our only hope was to organize 
and build a cooperative creamery and mar¬ 
ket our own product. Iu our discussions we 
brought out the informstiou that with the 
proper equipment and management the cost 
of manufacturing a pound of butter was 
about three cents or less per pound of fat 
in the cream, and so to he fair with the 
existing creamery company we made them 
the proposition to take our cream and 
make the butter and at the. end of the month 
pay us three cents under the New York or 
Philadelphia quotations averaged for the 
month. This they refused, claiming that 
they could not make and market the but¬ 
ter for anything less than five cents per 
pound. They said we had figured too much 
overrim, as they could get only 11% to 
14%, while we claimed that 18% to 20% 
was none too much, and altogether practical. 
Other details considered were percentage 
of moisture, grade of butter, and market 
conditions in divers ways, as we made our¬ 
selves familiar with all sides of the ques¬ 
tion. 
A New Organization. —.After weeks of 
discussion and argument we dropped the 
matter with the creamery company and 
went ahead and organized a cooperative 
company, electing a board of seven direc¬ 
tors. none of which had any experience 
whatever in the management of a cream¬ 
ery, hut who were all witli one exception 
practical dairymen. We found that we 
could build and equip a plant large enough 
for our needs and some allowance for 
growth for about $3.00b. and we had our 
plans all complete, our site selected and 
stock all subscribed for and ready to com¬ 
mence our building as soon as the weather 
would permit iu the Spring, when we re¬ 
ceived a proposition from the old company 
to sell out to us. We had to begin at the 
beginning again, for there had developed a 
lot of feeling against the old company, and 
besides the condition of the plant and 
equipment were such that many thought 
it unwise to buy, as the price was as much 
as a modern plant would cost, and we 
would be under the necessity of buying 
some new machinery at once. This was 
finally overcome by the argument that if 
we bought them out it would give the new 
enterprise a clear field and no antagonism 
whatever in the whole community, and so 
the purchase was made, making the pay¬ 
ment two-thirds cash and balance stock, 
which was distributed among the stock¬ 
holders of the old company, not more than 
five shares to anyone and in our by-laws 
was incorporated an article prohibiting 
anyone from having more than one vote in 
any business meeting. 
Manager and Better Maker. —We as¬ 
sumed control of the plant about March 1. 
and immediately began the installation of 
new machinery and working up the busi¬ 
ness. We elected one of the most pro¬ 
gressive and enthusiastic men as secretary 
and manager and put him on a progressive 
salary, starting him at $40 per month. The 
output of the creamery for the previous 
year was about 120,000 pounds, but we 
figured this could be increased to 200,000 
pounds or more, if we could make good, as 
there was a large amount of cream being 
shipped out of town. So we put it up to 
our new manager to catch and hold this 
business, and made it an object to him 
to do so by grading his wages so ,aat 
when we were producing 200.000 pounds 
or more his pay would be $75 per month. 
Next we began looking for a butter maker, 
and this we found to bo the hardest job of 
the two. We had plenty of applications 
from all grades of men. from men of three 
•xontbs to 10 years experience. We ex¬ 
pected to provide an idea! modern plant 
and capable of making under the proper 
management the highest grade of butter 
and we wanted a man who was capable of 
doing this. 
Choosing the Maker. —Of-the half-dozen 
or more applications received there were 
only two we thought worthy of considera¬ 
tion, one a local man whom we all knew, 
and who. besides being a practical butter- 
maker, had been a creamery inspector un¬ 
der the State Dairy Department, and had 
scored butter for the Government in the 
West. The other was a Michigan man lo¬ 
cated in Missouri and recommended to us 
by a concern selling us machinery. Some 
feeling of antagonism developed against the 
home man for no reason we could see ex¬ 
cept that “A prophet is not without honor 
except in his own country.” We decided 
to offer the position to the other at a salary 
of $85, with prospect of a raise if he could 
deliver the goods. He accepted and came 
on, went to work and inside of six months 
the plant was equipped and he was produc¬ 
ing an article that was. selling on the mar¬ 
ket one-half cent above the quotations for 
creamery specials, and we were paying him 
$100 per month, and he and the manager 
had corralled all the cream within a radius 
of seven or eight miles of the station and 
were getting a much better grade of cream 
too than had been the case at first. 
Great Progress.— It will be seen by the 
annual statement that we had increased 
the output to over $200,000 pounds per 
year,, and that we had made the butter and 
put it on the market for 3% cents per 
pound of fat, and had bought and paid for 
$1200 worth of new machinery and had 
paid an average of 3.3 cents above Elgin 
for the year. We have elected the same 
board of directors for the year, and with 
the new equipment and the added interest 
iu dairying in the community we expect 
to do a much larger business, and at a 
much less cost. The commission men in 
New York and Philadelphia are now anx¬ 
ious to get our products, because our sten¬ 
cil number means something to their cus¬ 
tomers, and because every package will con¬ 
tain the best to be had. We get honest 
weight and scoring because they know wo 
have capable men at this end, and that 
they will lose the goods if they don't deal 
fairly with us. 
Grading the Cream. —In order to keep 
the quality of our butter up we very early 
adopted the policy of grading our cream, 
required patrons to deliver twice a week, 
and refuse to accept that which would not 
grade as good as No. 2. We have a few 
patrons among our 300 or more who can¬ 
not see the economy of paving a large price 
for a centrifugal cream separator, and who 
use the water separator instead, and from 
these we are getting all of our poor cream. 
To take care of these people and give every¬ 
body a square deal we purchased a small 
churn, and all poor cream was kept and 
churned separately and sold on the market 
for what it was, and the returns divided 
among those to whom it belonged. This is 
an argument that none of them can meet, 
and they are rapidly being converted to 
the fact that the only cream we can accept 
and pay the highest price for is the best. 
This we considered a better way than to 
refuse the cream altogether. We wanted 
the patrons, but we wanted them to furnish 
as good cream as the rest were doing, and 
so make a square deal for all. When they 
found that it was cutting the price of their 
butter three to five cents a pound thov be¬ 
gan to sit up and take notice. As the 
warm weather comes on we expect to be 
more strict in the grading, and hope be¬ 
fore the season is out to eliminate all of 
the tliin and sour cream, and not have it 
to deal with in any form. Wo aim to 
have all the cream delivered at an aver¬ 
age test of 40%. as a thick cream is so 
much easier to keep iu good condition than 
thin. 
Chance for Organization. —I believe 
that any community that has the interest 
and the cows cau organize and run success¬ 
fully a cooperative creamery if they will 
use good business sense and do their own 
promoting and put good capable men such 
as are found in every communitv at tin- 
head of the enterprise, and a butternmker 
can be had if wages are paid that will at¬ 
tract the right kind of men. Pav the best 
wages, but demand results from the start, 
and those who cannot deliver the goods will 
not try to impose on you. We have other 
successful lines of cooperation here, such 
as telephones and breeders’ clubs, and there 
is some talk of cooperative stock selling^ 
but as I arn only tilling of creameries I 
will say nothing about them at this time. 
Michigan. e. e. linton. 
R. N.-Y.—We want to bear about the 
others. 
Contagious Mammitis. 
Seeing an article in The R. N.-Y. from 
C. W. H New York, in regard to a disease 
among his cows which you call “Contagious 
Mammitis,” I think I have the same trouble 
among my cows, as I have four similarly 
affected. They have been with the herd ail 
the time. What should I use to disinfect 
the barn floors (they are concrete) t also is 
there any disinfectant that I can use to wash 
the healthy cows' udders to prevent them 
from getting it? A . G. a. 
Massachusetts. 
Be careful to isolate a cow as soon as 
anything is found the matter with her 
udder, and to milk such a cow last, or, 
better still, to have her milked by one who 
does not milk the other cows. The practice 
of milking the one or two had teats on to 
the floor, when a cow is affected with gar¬ 
get, accounts for the spread of many cases 
of contagious mammitis. The practice is 
a filthy and dangerous one. Besides 
cleansing the floors once a day flush them 
over with a 1-50 solution of coal tar dis¬ 
infectant once or twice a week, provided 
you can turn the cows out at the time and 
perfectly rid the stable of smell before the 
cows are milked. New inilk readily absorbs 
odors and Is contaminated thereby. Also 
sprinkle floors with land plaster (gypsum), 
after cleansing daily. If the teats are 
washed with a 10-per-cent solution of boric 
acid dally there will be less liability of in¬ 
fection. a. s. A. 
SHETLAND PONIES 
An unceasing source of pleasure and robn«t health to children 
Safe and ideal playmates. Inexpensive to keep. Highest type 
Complete outfits. Satisfaction guaranteed. Illustrated -Cata 
logne. JIEI.LE MEADE FARM, Box 20, Markham, Va. 
TRANQUILITY FARMS offer rhoice DORSET 
RAMS and EWES for sale at fanners’ prices. 
One of the oldest flocks in America. 
Arthnr Dank*, Msr....ALLAIHUCHY, N. J. 
DAXYIY CATTLE 
WOODCREST FARM 
has recently purchased 
the Klockdale Herd of 
Holstein-Friesians 
at CANASTOTf 1, (V. Y. 
getting some Choice Young Bulls ready 
for service, also a few Young Male 
Calves. As we are very short of stable 
room, can make especially low prices on 
these youngsters for quick sale. 
This Herd has been under Government 
supervision and regularly tuberculin 
tested for nearly two years. 
Address all inquiries to 
WOOOCREST FARM, Rif ton, N.V. 
FANNY MORRIS SMITH, Esperanza Farm, New Hartford, Conn. 
OFFERS A YEARLING SON OF THE INBRED 
OWL AND MODEL’S OXFORD LAD KRISLINA 
Dam and grand-dam, advanced registry. Sire’s 
dam. the great Fontaine Boyle. 3 lbs. butter in 24 
hours. The Dam of this Bull has Just Milked Over 8,000 lbs. 
Milk as a Three-Year-Old. She is close up in the best 
Island butter blood. Order at once. Price $75. 
IMS'S HOLSTE INS 
are bred for large production, good size, strong 
constitution, ami best individuality. The best 
sires are used in this herd that it is possible to se¬ 
cure. A nice lot of young bulls for sale: no females. 
A. A. CORTELYOU, Somerville N. J. 
Handsome Registered Holstein Yearling Bull 
FOR SALE cheap. Born May 2, 1911. Also sev¬ 
eral BULL CALVES, from two to three months 
old, selected from best dams in herd. 
P. B. McLENNAN, Court House, Syracuse, N.Y. 
enn C fl I r—Bull Oalf dropped April 7, 1911, 
■ Ull OilLC First Prize Far Hills, N. J. Sire, 
College King Rex 80X18. Dam, Beauty of Bloom- 
ville 228508, $125. College King Bellefontaine 
dropped August 19, 1910. Sire, College King Rex 
80338. Dam, Bellefontaine Beauty 183233, $85. 
Raritan King. Imp. in dam, dropped Sept. 29, 1909. 
Sire. Count Bective 4220 H. C. Dam, Imp. May 
Times 23179, $85. Raritan Valley Farms, Somerville, N. J. 
uni CTCIIVIC Four Holstein Heifer 
nwl *0 I E.3IYIO Calves and one Bull, 
15-16tli pure, 3 to 4 weoks old, $15 each, crated for 
shipment anywhere. Also one yearling Bull, $45— 
and one 0months old, $30. All well marked and from 
heavy milkers. EdgewDod Farm, Route2,Whitewater,Wis. 
FOR Q A I P—R® glslercd llolhicin-Friesian Bull Calf from 3 
I U it CALL year old cow that produced 92}£ lbs. milk in 
one day; $75. Others nearly as koot! for less monev. Write for 
bargains. GATES HOMESTEAD FARM, Chittenango, N. Y. 
ONTARIO KING WANDAGELSCHE 
Holstoin bull, born Doc.5,1911, largely white, show 
animal, a King Segis sire, high testing dam by 
♦Homestead Girl Delvol Sarcastic Lad. Price, $75. 
Send for pedigree. CLOVEROALE FARM, Charlotte, N. Y. 
Reg. HOLSTEIN MALE CALVES 
■ $20 to $25 - 
Cheaper than yon can purchase elsewhere, quality 
considered. Choicely bred, fine individuals. 
Satisfaction Guarantked. 
HILLHURST FARM..F. H. Rivenburoh, Prop. Munnsviile, N.Y. 
'TOMPKINS CO. BREEDERS’ ASSOCIA- 
* TION, Box B, Trnmansburg, N. Y.—Breeders 
of Holstein, Jersey & Guernsey cattle and the lead¬ 
ing breeds of sheep and swine. Write for sale list. 
FOR SALE-JERSEY BULLS 
Age. 1 yr. down. Dams have qualified or on tost for 
Rogister of Merit A. .1. C. C. Sire, Goldie's Jap of 
Menilale No, 85989. Tuberculin free. B EKKSHI Hi; 
SOWS; BUM) GILTS. Granddaughters of 
Berry ton Duke, Jr., bred to King Edward, Jr. 
Everything Registered. For Pedigrees and Prices. 
Chas. B. Dayton. Siipt., SHELDONCROFT, Silver Lake. Pa. 
The Greatest Profit 
is found in 
GUERNSEY COWS 
What They Are 
What They Can Produce 
Every Dairyman Should Know 
GUERNSEY COWS 
EXCEL IN 
Natural Color 
Richness 
Flavor and 
Profit of 
Their Dairy Products 
Write for particulars regarding this 
cow which is winning so much favor 
in the Dairy World. Address 
THE AMERICAN GUERNSEY CATTLE CLUB 
Peterboro, N. H. Box R. 
& XKT I 3ST 23 
O. I. C. SPRING PIGS 
now ready for shipment. The Famous 
Silver's Strain. Quality A No. 1. ,\ 
F. C. WHITE Cinciniiat us, N. Y. 
Chester White and 
Large Yorkshire Gilts 
to farrow September, 1912. Also 7 to 8 
months old pigs of both sexes for sale. 
HEART’S DELIGHT FARM 
C. E. Hamilton, Mgr. Chazy, New York 
CHESHIRE GILTS BRED 
G. E. SMITH 
Castile. N.Y. 
0.1. C.'S Of Superior Quality Service Boars, Gilts, Spring Pigs, 
"" 1 -- s ~~~ no akin pairs, also Buff Rocli 
Epps, $1.50 per 15. Fred Nickel, Monroe, Mich., R. No. 1. 
HOGS and P0ULTRY-*7EX/fi: 
nor Duck Eggs, White and Brown Leghorn Eggs 
of best strains, Bred Berkshire Sows and Pig;-. 
CHERRY HILL FRUIT FARM, Toboso, Licking County, Dhiu. 
SPRINGBANK BERKSHIRES.-RuS 
in Connecticut. Sows bred for April litters all sold. 
Have 4 sows bred to farrow In July; late, toser- 
viee of Watson's Masterpiece. Will book orders 
for March and April pigs now. Send for new 
Booklet. J. E. WATSON, Pioprietor, Marhleilale, Conn. 
LARGE BERKSHIRES AT HIGHWOOD 
Summer offering of pigs, both soxes. not akin. 
Sold out of service boars and bred sows. 
H. C. & H. B, HARPE NDING -:- DUNDEE, NEW YORK 
S&3! BERKSHIRE BOAR PIGS 
of a large, prolific and well 
marked type, eight and ,JNO. C. BREAM, 
tweivo weeks, $10 and $12. R. 4 - Gettysbnrp. Pa. 
BERKSHIRE and O. 1. C. SWINE All regis¬ 
tered. Young stock always for sale* at 
reasonable prices. See our Poultry ad. 
MAPLE 6LEN POULTRY FA RM.MILLERTON, N. Y. 
FASHIONABLY BRED BERKSHIRES 
Three young sows of breeding ago at $16.00 
each. Also a fow young pigs of either sex. 
DK. J. K. ALI . EN ORWELL, N. V. 
H IGH-CLASS BERKSHIRE PIGS For Sale. 
It ILLIAM L. MORRIS, Greenwood, Del. 
BERKSHIRE BOAR PIGS 
Stapleton and Hood stoek. Fine Fellows. $10 each. 
TO Shropshire Ram Lambs. Wardwell Stock. Open 
to registry, $10 each, T HE MAPLES FARM, Berlin. Conn. 
FOR SALE THREE SOWS ;,y--.rS,! 
three sow pigs two months old, all from a sou of 
Masterpiece, eleven dollars and six dollars each and 
registered, HARRY B. BOUTON, AshviHe, New York. 
Reg. P. Chinas, Berkshires, C. Whites. 
Fine, large strains; all ages, mated 
not akin. Bred sows service Boars, 
Jersey and Holstein Calves. Collie 
, Pups,Beagles and Poultry.Write for 
prices & circniavs. Hamilton & Co.. Ereihloun, Pa. 
I ARGE YORKSHIRES— Sows bred for June and August 
■“ farrow. Boars ready for service. May pigs. 
Order now. Gi.kn makk Farm, Robertsviilo, Conn. 
REGISTERED YORKSHIRES 
Healthy, well-grown sLock. ail ages. Boars ready for 
service and just weaned. If on arrival stock is not 
as represented in yonropinion, return same and wo 
will refniul money. R aritan Valley Farms, Somerville.N.J. 
nilnnnC ^MNG PUTS, *7.00-pedigreed. 
WUllUU O S- A. WEEKS_ D kOraff, Ohio. 
S HEL00N FARM registered Dtlrocs. Pigs of both sex 
Bred Sows. Service Boars. Best of breeding 
C. K. BARNES. Oxford, N. V. 
HORSES 
P ercberon and Belgian Stallions and Mares for sale 
at farmers' prices. A. W. GREEN. Rome 1, 
Middletield. O. Railroad station, East Orwell, O., 
on Pentia. R.R. 39 miles north of Youngstown, O. 
AT CTIin DUCAT . JUNIOR : C’hestnnt stal- 
hI O I Ull lion. Service fee, ten dollars. For 
particulars, adureas LEON SAGE, Crown Point, N.Y. 
D O G- S 
PHI I IP PIIPQ— The intelligent kind. Females 
UULLIl ruro cheap. NELSON’S. Grove City, Penna. 
IMPORTED Collie Pups and urown dogs Drivers, Cheap. 
1 ^— —Brookside Farm, Prospect, 0. 
CATTLE 
Breed Up—Not DownT«T.%,“ u ';»S'S 
buy. Superior dairy dams. No better sires. H. F- 
SHANNON, 907 Liberty Street, Pittsburg, Pa. 
Jerseys & Berkshires ®5£ 
From U> months down to a few days old—$100.00 to 
$25.00. Berkshires. six months old, and young 
Pigs, $20.00 to $8.00 each. Everything registered. 
J. GRANT MORSE. Laurel Farm. HAMILTON, N. Y. 
Mtllr PrnrttTfpre for New Vork City market 
lTllln. rlUUlR/CIo desiring information how to 
form branches of the Dairymen’s League, write to 
the Seci-etary. Albert Manning Otisviile. N. Y. 
AYRSHIRE BULL FOR SALE 
bred; a grand Bull for show purpose. Price low, as 
no use for same now. L. M. Hallenbeck, Greendale, N. Y. 
Purebred Registered 
HOLSTEIN CATTLE 
The North Dakota Farmer recommends Holsteins, 
ami reports; 
"The United States Government and the experi¬ 
ment station when selecting cattle for the breeding 
circuit at New Salem choso this breed as being best adapted 
to conditions.” 
Holsteins are strong and healthy and do well in any cli¬ 
mate. On account of their great yield they are the most 
economical producers of bnttor-fat. 
Send for Free Illustrated Descriptive Booklets. They 
contain valuable information for any Dairyman. 
HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN ASS’N, F. L. HOUGHTON. Sec’y. Box 105. Brattleboro, Vt. 
