374 DAIRYING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 

Australia,especially in the districts south of Sydney ; but from 
the classification of cattle generally Shorthorns and Here- 
fords appear to be the favourite breeds, nearly 62 per cent. 
ofthe total number belonging to these varieties. The yield 
of milk per cow, though naturally a very variable quantity, 
has been estimated at approximately 290 gallons annually, 
which in 1898 would give a production for the whole colony 
of 120,655,000 gallons. About three-fourths of this quantity 
was employed in making butter and cheese, pvrincipally the 
former, the out-turn of which has rather more than doubled 
in the past decade. This development has. been brought 
about principally by the extension of the factory system, and 
in this connection it is interesting to note that whereas in 
1890 the quantity of factory-made butter was 71,872 cwts. in 
1898 it had increased to 236,808 cwts., whilst, on the other 
hand, the butter made on farms had decreased in the same 
period from 93,611 cwts. to 44,296 cwts. When the system 
- was first introduced the factories were mostly co-operative, 
and the processes of cream separation and butter-making - 
were carried on together. This arrangement is gradually 
dying out, and central butter factories, fed by numerous 
separating establishments or creameries, are taking their 
place, as it is found that in this way the butter produced is 
of more uniform quality, whilst there is a reduction in the 
cost of manufacture. The average quantity of milk required 
to make a pound of factory butter is stated to be 2°6 gallons, 
as compared with about 3 gallons for hand-made butter, and 
in addition to the economy thus effected factory butter 
realises from $d. to 1d. per pound more in the home markets. 
With regard to the export trade, the extension of the 
factory system led some ten years ago to a production in 
excess of local requirements, and in 1890 an exportation of 
2,512 cwts. took place, which increased to 37,301 cwts. in 
1894. In 1895 there was no export owing to the unusual 
severity of the season, and in 1896 the export was small. In 
1897, however, the trade recovered to nearly its former 
figure, while in 1898 the domestic export was 79,907 and in 
1899, 69,652, cwts. Later figures are not yet available, but 
the imports into the United Kingdom indicate that the 
