PRACTICAL PAPERS—BUTTER FACTORIES. 
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usual for that breed, showing, in a very marked degree, what 
a controlling influence the surface of a country has in mould¬ 
ing the form of animals. The stock I found universally in fine 
condition as to flesh, and in every respect it appeared to be in 
vigorous health ; but the smallness in size was a point of 
interest to me, as showing how animals bred for several 
generations in a hilly country gradually adapt themselves to 
the surfaces over which they are compelled to travel in quest 
of food. 
It seemed to me that the Ayrshires were the kind of cattle 
best adapted to this locality, and I strongly advised an infusion 
of this strain of blood among the herds of Point Reyes. 
System of Rentals .—The management of so large an estate is 
not without difficulties. Recently Mr. Howard has introduced 
a system of rentals, which relieves the proprietors from a vast 
amount of care and vexation. With the exception of what is 
termed the u HomeRanche,” all the places are rented at a fixed 
rate per cow. The general features of this rental are as fol¬ 
lows : The landlord furnishes land, cows and buildings, mak¬ 
ing the rent at $30 per cow. The tenant is required to raise 
one fifth of the calves, and build or keep in repair certain 
fences, the landlord furnishing the material. All implements 
of husbandry and dairy utensils are furnished by the tenant. 
The dairies, on an average, make about one hundred and eighty 
pounds of butter per cow, which is sent to San Francisco, and 
commands from thirty-three to thirty-five cents per pound. 
Quality of Butter .—The butter made at Point Reyes is good, 
and dealers in San Francisco informed me that it was the best 
that was brought into the market. The texture, when well 
made, is exceedingly fine, being more waxy in its consistency 
than much of the butter of New York. With the same skill 
as that exercised in the butter factories of Orange county, I 
should say that the very finest fancy product could be obtained. 
The low, even temperature of the climate favors the obtaining 
of milk in the best possible condition. The water is soft and 
