Sessional Papers - Legislature of the Province of Ontario - Ontario. Legislative Assembly

The following short Courses in Dairying were held at the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, during the season of 1913.

Twelve weeks course for Cheese and Butter Makers and Farm Dairymen

One week course for Farm Cow-testing

No.

Registered.

103

Ice Cream Manufacture

Official Cow-testers

Western Ontario Dairy Instructors

Total Registration

The regular twelve weeks' course was conducted very similarly to those of previous years, except that once a week students were given instruction in the manufacture of ice-cream on a commercial scale. In addition, those who wished to specialize in ice cream manufacture were allowed to take the special course at the close of the regular term. The ice cream and cow testing courses proved very popular.

Those who had been engaged for official cow testing in Western Ontario were practically all present for the week, when the whole question was thoroughly discussed, rules were formulated to govern testing and as much practical work was done in the stable and in the milk testing laboratory as time would allow. At the end of the week there were practical and written examinations which covered the field as completely as possible. Out of 24 who tried the examinations, eighteen made the required 50 per cent. in order to pass. Those who have passed will be given the preference when engaging men for official cow testing. In fact, this work is now so important, that we may well consider whether or not the time is not now come, when only men of tested ability should be engaged for this work. The whole basis of official cow testing needs reorganizing, so that it may be placed beyond reproach.

It would seem as if the old line policy of cheese and butter is being rapidly changed, and dairymén must give more attention to special lines, such as town

and city milk and cream trade, including ice cream, condensed milk, certified milk, fancy cheese, etc. Owing to the high price of labor and increased cost of production in all lines of farm produce, the day has gone by when thinking farmers are willing to quietly accept 80 to 90 cents per 100 lbs. for their milk.

The Dairy Schools should lead the way in more profitable lines of production and manufacture. It may be rather hard on some of the present established businesses, but these cannot stand in the way of the onward march of progress. For too long a time the farmer who produced milk has meekly accepted whatever was given him by those who controlled the manufacturing and selling end of the dairy business. But the farmer is waking from his long business sleep, and we find men asking what it costs to produce milk, and whether or not there is any money in feeding cows under conditions such as have prevailed in the past. The sooner our Dairy Schools and all those organizations which have for their avowed object the advancement of the dairy industry, adjust themselves to the new conditions, the better it will be for the permanent and sound advancement of the greatest of all agricultural industries, namely, that of dairying.

H. H. DEAN.

The School opened on December 2nd with a short course of three weeks for old makers who wished to spend a short time in general review work. Owing to the fact that most of the factories in Eastern Ontario did not cease operations till late in December, not as many of the old makers attended as was at first expected.

The regular course of instruction for students wishing to take out diplomas began on January 1st, and ended March 20th.

The total registrations for both courses were as follows:

Two of the short course students re-registered for the long course which makes the total attendance 68, an increase over the previous year of 19.

The total number of students who wrote on the final examinations was 28. Of this number 10 made passes, 13 obtained second standing and three passed with honors.

In addition to the regular work of instruction during the school term, considerable research work was conducted during the balance of the year, the result of which has already been summarized and placed before the public.

The demand for official supervisors for the "Record of Merit," performance of registered Holsteins is steadily growing, and at times the demand in Eastern Ontario far exceeds our supply of men available for this work, but so far we have succeeded in giving a fairly satisfactory service. The total number of cows tested for the past twelve months was 110.

At the close of the school term the plant is operated as a creamery for the balance of the year. For this service the farmers pay us 32c. per lb. of butter. For this amount we manufacture the butter, sell the same and divide the proceeds, after deducting the 32c. for manufacturing, among the patrons according to the amount of fat delivered.

The creamery is operated on what is known as the cream gathering system and so far this has given good results, which is borne out by the fact that our output is rapidly increasing. Further, we have no difficulty in getting the cream delivered in a perfectly sweet condition which enables us to pasteurize the same and make uniformly high quality of butter. As a rule our butter brings on an average about 2c. per lb. more than the ordinary creamery butter brought to this market.

SUMMARY OF LAST YEARS' OPERATION.

Total lbs. of butter made from April 1st to December 31st.