To the Editor.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 755, 13 July 1894, Page 3

To the Editor.

Valuable Practical Hints in Connection with the dairy factory.

Sin,—Mow that the Dairy Factory is on a fair way to completion there are several important things that the Directors should lose no time in seeing to if they would ensure its success.

In the first place they should secure a trained and skilful manager, who will also be a practical man of business. I fancy the Government Expert would aid them greatly in this. Then it is half the battle to secure from the start a good name in the market for the Kaikoura Brand of cheese and butter. To this end the Directors should impress upon the farmers that the strictest attention should be paid to the proper feed and shelter of the cattle. Every one knows the deteriorating effect of poor and unsuitable feed on the flavour and quality of butter and cheese, and as for shelter, experiments have been recently made between snugly-stalled cattle and those exposed to the wet and cold, with the result of 30 per cent in the produce in favour of the former.

The breed of our cattle should also be looked to. I am told it has run very low in this district. We want new and improved bovine blood it appears, and the sooner it is got the better for the chances of the Factory. Not by any means least, though last, is the importance of securing a market, and a sure and regular means of transport. It would be idle to make the best cheese or butter in the world were this to fail us. If the quantity were sufficient some large dealer might be got to send here for the produce regularly, and that would be far the best and easiest way for the management. If that cannot be done, it will be imperative to make a contract with the local boat, or some other boat, to call regularly, according to the requirements of the Dairy output. If one stitch in time saves nine, how many in arithmetical progression, may be saved to the Dairy Factory by the above half doaen ? I am, &c., Try Again.