GERALDINE DAIRY FACTORY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1268, 22 November 1884, Page 3

GERALDINE DAIRY FACTORY.

This Factory is now in full working order, having commenced operations on the lOfch Nov. The supply of milk has steadily increased since the commencement, and «t present over three hundred and fifty gallons are received daily. The appliances in the factory are, however, capable of dealing with something like nine hundred gallons, so there is a very wide margin left for a larger supply of milk. A few notes taken on a visit to the Factory in company with tho Secretary to the Company, Mr Coltmon, inn' prove of not a little interest. A description of the plans of the Factory building has appeared in a former issue, and we may now say, since the building is finished, that it has a very substantial appearance. The material used in ils construction in blue stone (obtained from a quarry close at hand) faced with white Kakahu stone, the roof being covered with corrugated iron. The floors are concreted throughout, fitted with traps to allow the refuse to get away into the drain which carries it into a natural watercourse some distance from the building. There is one defect in tne floors, however ; tliey arc very uneven, and the water unless swept away, lies in pools over an inch deep. The two large vats in the " making " room, into which the milk is put, are about twelve feet long by four and a-half feet wide, and two feet deep, each capable of holding something like four hundred and fifty gallons. These vats are made with false bottoms and sides, into with hot or cold water is put for raising or lowering the tempeiature of the milk, The presses, ten in number, are fitted with levers and screws and the whole will press about forty cheese at one time. They are made by Thos. Corbett, of Shrewsbury. The drying room is fitted with five rows of revolving shelves, running the length oC the room ; shelves also being fixed along the walls. They are made of kauri pine, and well put together, and will carry from fifty to sixty tons of cheese. One third of the length of the room can be shut oft by canvas screens, V7hen a greater degree of heat is required to ripen a quantity of cheese. Under the floor of the drying room run hot and cold air pipes, connected with the room by gratings in the floor. The cold air is supplied through trap doors in the outer walls of the building, and the heated air, or steam from the engine room. The engine and boiler were made by Scott Bros., Christchurch. The former is twohorse power nominal, but may be worked up to a pressure of equal to three and a-half. It is used for working the curd mill, and also for raising water to tanks elevated about twelve feet above the ground. From the tanks, pipes are connected with all parts of the building where water is required. Hot is laid on from the boiler to the making room, and also to the washing room. The whole of the arrangementg are very simple and convenient and reflect much credit on those who have superintended their fitting up. Everything is in good working order, which is very satisfactory, considering the short time the factory has been at work. This is due in a great measure to the management of Mr Twigg, the manager specially appointed at Home to take charge of the factory. This gentleman was connected with the first dairy factory in England, at Longford, Derbyshire, and was also for seven years in the Berkley Shorthorn Dairy Factory, Berkley Vale, Gloucestershire. The system of making the cheese, is the English Cheddar, which there can be no doubt Mr Twigg will thoroughly understand. The fact of there being already twenty suppliers of milk to the factory proves that the farmers are fully alive to the benefits they will derive ; for instead of having to take out the produce of their dairies in goods they will have cash for it at the end of every month. Instead of, as hitherto, having to depend on a fluctuating produce market they will have a steady income. What the farmers want, however, is a good class of dairy cows, for a good cow costs no more to keep than a poor one. Now that dairy factories have been started in various parts of the country, and records are kept of the quantity and quality of the milk from the different breeds of co-vs peculiar to this country, farmers will soon be able to ascertain what will best suit them.- We trust tha f the farmers in the Geraldine district will do all in their power to assist the factory, as we feel sure they will be gainers by it.