Two Views of Dairying

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 April 1910, Page 4

Two Views of Dairying

DANES, SWISS AND ENGLISH

Two sets of widely contrasted views are set out in the two articles which follow this brief introduction. The first article appeared originally in tlio "American Farm Journal;" the second in the "iS'mv Zealand, Fanners' Union Advocate." ,It will be seen that there is a, strong diversity of opinion as 'to whioh nationality hn.s the (better methods of dairying. DAIRYING IN~DENMARK. A SYSTEM WHICH PLACES CLEANLINESS NEAR TO GODLINESS. For many years now Danish butter has been crowding the English article in tho London markets. Tho butter of Denmark 5s considered the best in Europe, and by many is regarded as better than anything produced in America. The secret of Danish dairy superiority is cleanliness, not spasindic and in spots, but absolute cleanlines from stable to consumer. The methods employed by the Danes in the handling of milk would be a revelation to most dairymen a.id consumers. The strictest rules are enforced with respect to housing and feeding of cows, and speck 1 milk cans are used. Sanitation is enforced b.v veterinarians and inspectors, and milk is sent to the receiving stations in an absolutely clean condition, and the companies supplying Copenhagen and other cities keep it so by the practice of the most careful methods. Tho milk is filtered by being poured through layers or gravel, which are changed daily, and is then bottled by mechanical means and carefully sealed, so that itie operator's hands do not come :ti actual contact with the milk. The bottled milk is kept in ice until ready for delivery to customers. The distributing stations .ire as scrupulously clean and free from odours as the receiving stations, and are under a similar espionage on the part of Government officials. This rigid cleanliness extends rilso to tho washing of bottles and cans. The latter are sprayed with cold water, then scrubbed inside and out with hot water and soda, and then treated to a lime-water hath, and finally steriilised with steam. Bottles are similarly treated, and when the cleansing is finished the vessels are spotless and absolutely free from taint of any sort. This is in sharp contrast with the carelessness of many distributing centres in the American cities, where, especially in summer, the odours are often overpowering, and wliero a a general air of sloppiness prevails. Compared with the lower cost of living in Denmark, the dairymen of that country get better prices than do their American brethren. The Danish farmer is paid four cents a quart for his product delivered at the receiving stations, which is above the best prices prevailing in this country, and it therefore pays him to practice that cleanliness and care without which he could not sell his production at any price. The Danes lead the world in butter-making and milk production because they deserve to, and not because of any mystery surrounding their methods. "Farm Journal" CLEANER DAIRYING. The "Farmers' Union Advocate" remarks that the most striking incident of recent years in connection with the dairy industry of this country, has been tho announcement of the Eltha.ni Co-operative Dairy Company that it intends to institute a scheme of dairy inspection. This is a practical recognition of the fact that certain producers of milk must be inspected, and must be either persuaded of forced 'to conduct the business in a proper manner. The Eltham Company has arrived ait this decision by a proper study of the position—it is the logical outcome of an intelligent dissection, of the milk problem. The directors responsible have no doubt come Ito realise that the best buttermaker, the best plant, pasteurisation, or any other aid which science may bring to the assistance of the industry, are all for naught if the raw material available is not of the desired standard. It has been stated by Mr Hodgson, chairman of directors (a strong supporter of the Farmers 'Union, by-the-way), that the Company's manager has expressed tho opinion that pasteurisation is a remedy for a defect which should not exist, and that the true policy was to endeavour to secure a better milk supply. This same proof was emphatically expressed by Mr C. Sorenson, one of our first dairy experts, who was not considered good enough for the Now Zealand Department of Agriculturehe was offered the position of Chief Expeilfc at a paltry salary—but has since established the best milk supply business in England, and is now

in <an independent position. The attempt to establish dairy inspection by the Department since his time is well enough known. At present good work is being done whore the Dairy Commissioner's men have .time to spare from their factory instruction and grading duties, but it is merely playing with thn matter—a mere drop in the ocean. The Elthnm Company is to be heartily congratulated on the stand It. has now taken; on the example it is setting other dairy companies. Much, of course, will depend on the character of the inspector it selects; and in this it will probably ibe in a better position to select a man than the Department—it will be able to choose a main solely by reason of his fitness for the position, though it should be remarked that the Dairy Division enjoys the enviable reputation of being a service of capable men, \v.ho owe their position entirely to their ability. The same could certainly not be said, however, or the short-lived batch of dairy inspectors. It is a significant thing that the suppliers the Elthain Company has most trouble with are Swiss. It is constantly being declared that the Dane, the Swiss, and some other Continental milk producers are all they should be in regard to cleanliness, and that the Britisher should take them as a, model. It is time this fallacy was exposed. Unbiassed men who have investigated the methods of our Continental rivals tell a very different storv to the usually accredited fable. The Britisher is naturally a cleaner man at all points. Ceirtainly there is a percentage of British dairy farmers ivho have not the appreciation for cleanliness in milk production they should have; there is a weak link in jvery chain. _ Tt is for this minority -hat dairy inspection is required. When we talk of unsatisfactory ninority, which reduces the value of ;he whole, and which, besides being t serions injury to the neighbours ' >f the men responsible, constiutes a ■ nenace to the industry. It is in he interests of the majority and \ •he reputation of the country's pro- [ [nee that, t.hev should he forced into j ine. The Elthnm Company intends ' o show them how to improve, and ( f persuasion and advice fails, then ' he drastic provision of the Dairy ( ndustry Act may be appealed to." '