FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1918, Page 7

FARM AND DAIRY.

Some interesting facts relating to the keeping qualities of butter in cold storage were mentioned by Mr. James Prouse at a meeting of the Levin Dairy Factory Company (says the Levin Chronicle). He said that a parcel of butter—'la 'boxes —was overlooked in the cold stores in Wellington for a period of eight years. A dealer bought the butter, and it opened up in first-class condition- It had been found that butter retained its quality even after twelve years in cold storage, so that when they heard it said that it took a long while for New Zealand butter to get to England and that it could not be, therefore, as good as an article that was put straight from the dairy on to the market, they could conclude that the statement was made by an interested party. In the export class for colored cheese at the Southland Winter 'Show, says the Ashburton Guardian, the Staveley Dairy Company headed the list with 04y 2 points, and with two other exhibits in the clas§_seored 924 points each. Staveley was also at the head of the list for the white cheese for export, scoring 95 points, and was awarded 93% points for two other exhibits in the class. In the medium colored class Staveley was second On the list With 94 points. Waikaka factory was the winner in thig class with 951 points. The manager of the latter factory ,was formerly assistant cheese-maker for Mr. Walker at Staveley factory. For colored loaf cheese Staveley scored - 94 points in two exhibits, the highest number of points in the class being 95*. Staveley also won the Cheddar-shaped' cheese, suitable for export. Recording to the Levin Chronicle,- butter from the Levin Dairy Factory has been graded up to 06' points by the Government graders, and it is one of thirteen factories in the Dominion whose product has averaged 98 points and over for the season. The grade division, however, is made at S9- All 'above that point is paid for at the same price. "We have come to the democratic principle that the best and the worst are to be lumped together and then divided up," remarked Mr. James Prouse, chairman of the Levin Company, at a meeting of suppliers.. The result was that those who took great care and produced the linest article got no more than those who scamped their work. Mr. Prouse said he moved at last conference to split '.in- grade,at !)3, but what could thirteen companies do against the crowd that were below 89? However, that condition of things was going to be altered in time, and they were going to get what their butter was worth.