VISIT OF MR M'CALLUM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2518, 30 August 1888, Page 2

VISIT OF MR M'CALLUM.

■» Mil McOallum, the gentleman commissioned by the Government to visit the factories and report on the progress of the dairy industry in the colony, arrived in Hamilton on Tuesday, and was waited on by Messrs G. Edgecumbe and H. Cowper of this journal. Mr McCallum stated his movements at present were uncertain, as he was suffering from an old complaint which would, probably, intefere with his visit to the different Wuikato districts. He had, however, decided to have a look at Mr Reynold's factory at Newstead, of which he had heard some ace ran's, Mr McCallum, accompanied by Mr Cowper, afterwards drove to Newstead, and they were shown over the factory by Mrand MrsCochrane. Thisestablishment is small, and has been erected in concrete under a plantation of pines which affords cool shade in the summer. The interior is very fresh and clean. The Lavall separator is in use, and from its simplicity and effectiveness is, as Mr McCallum affirmed, superior to the Aylesbury. At the present time about sixty gallons of milk , are treated daily from abotit sixty cows, which, however, are likely to improve consideraoly as the spring feed advances. It is expected that in the summer fully one hundred cows will be in milk. The milk now obtained shows a good average, or 12Jper cent, of cream. The butter is made and despatched from the factory twice a week to the depot in Auckland, and as the Anchor brand is well-known we need not describe its quality. It was satisfactory to the Inspector. Mr McCallum advises the use of brine for salting in preference to dry salt, as it permeats the butter uniformly and never streaks it. At his ■outhern factory, and in fact at most others,

that plan is preferred. The butter is now packed in Pond's boxes, which are most suitable. It was, however, pointed out that the enamel of these boxes at once peel off if hot water and soda are used to cleanse them. The visitors were taken by Mr Cochrane to see the grass on the swamp. That portion of the estate is covered with the remains of an old forest, and at the time the land was taken up by the Company it was several feet under water. The extensive 6ystein of drainage adopted lias entirely freed it of water,, and the land is now heavily in grass, which will keep the cows in good fettle through the summer. We noticed a good plan adopted here to expedite milk operations. A door has been cut opposite each bale in the sheds, which is pushed open by the milker to allow each cow, as soon as she is milked and released, to walk out to a yard separated from the rest of the herd. This avoids the confusion of cows backing out and mixing with the unmilked ones. We were in hopes Mr McCallum would have had an opportunity of arranging a meeting with farmers, but we regret to say he felt so indisposed that he returned to Auckland by yostorday morning's train.