iliii Hpm f ark Huti (EalU^ of Agrtrulturp At (HarneU Iniupraitg JItliara. N. % Sjibrarg THE DAIRY INDUSTEY H m D z; N m: A K. i^ 1 EIOHAED P. WAED, Orgam%ing Seerotary to the Technical Instruction Committee of the Gh-eshire County Council. I'RICE TVirO PENCE. CREWE : (^ , "WILMOT EABDLEY, BOROtJGH PKINTINQ OPPIOES. Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003088246 THE DAIEY INDUSTEY AND DSIRY FIRMING IN D E; N ]V[ i:^ R PC : BY EIOHAED P. WAED, Organi%ing Secretary to the Technical Instruction Committee ..■of the Cheshire County Council. PRICE TWORENCI CEEWE: ■WHMOT BAEDLET, borough PEmTINO OPMCEg. ',_7 MEMORANDUM. At the request of H. J. Tollemache, Esq., M.P., and several others, the Technical Instruction Committee of the Cheshire County Council has agreed that this pamphlet on the Dairy Industry in Denmark should be printed for distribution in the county. The pamphlet is the substance of lectures delivered by me at seven different centres, and is based upon information obtained by a visit to Denmark in the month of September last. My considerable practical knowledge of farming, and of dairy vrork in particular, coupled vrith the great experience gained in organizing and carrying out the schemes of dairy instruction at the Dairy Institute, Worleston, and the various perambulatory classes in Cheshire, enabled me to enter into the subject with zest, and to investigate it, not only as an educationalist, but from a farmer's point of view. I desire to bear testimony to the kindness and courtesy with which I was treated in pursuing my inquiries, and to the readiness with which information was supplied on the various points investigated. My thanks are specially due to Her Majesty's Ambassador at Copenhagen, and the Vice-Consul residing there, for the facilities given me to examine reports bearing on this and kindred subjects ; and for introductions to leading agriculturists, and the chief dairy expert. I also desire to acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. BoggUd for his assistance. From the book published by him and the reports named above, most of the statistics have been compiled. And further, I am under great obligation to M. Hauborg for Ms kindness in supplying me vrith plans and estimates of the co-operative dairies, and for accompanying me in my visit to the dairy at Uedenhuse, and acting as my interpreter on that occasion. EICHARD P. WAED, Organizing Secretary to the Technical Instruction Committee of the County CoundL December iOth, 1893. THE DAIRY INDUSTRY AND DAIRY FARMING IN DENMARK. Denmark is a small country in the north, of Europe, having an area of 14,000 square miles, or not quite thirteen times the size of the •county of Cheshire. Its population is a little short of three millions, or less than four times that of our own county. The country consists of the peninsula of Jutland, and two moderately sized islands, Funen and Zealand, and several smaller ones. The whole country is extremely flat, and in many parts quite destitute of trees. In Jutland a large proportion of the land is boggy and marshy ; really fertile tracts being rare. Funen and Zealand possess land of a much better description, resembling in character the Fylde district in North Lancashire, or in some cases, Sealand near the Dee. In other portions are large districts of land reclaimed from the bog or moss, such as is to be found nearDane's Moss, in Cheshire, or Chat Moss, in Lancashire. Denmark has no manu- factures of any importance, and no mining, hence the majority of its people have to rely entirely on agriculture as a means of livelihood. The capital, Copenhagen, is a place of great importance and trade, and has a population near upon half a million. It, however, is the only town of any size in the kingdom. The farming in Denmark is not, as is generally supposed, entirely grazing or dairy, but mixed husbandry ; something like one half the land being arable. From the agricultural returns it appears tbat in 1891 the value of the various crops grown was as follows : — Oats . £4,155,138 Eye . £3,710,157 Barley ... . £3,657,966 Clover ... . £1,978,401 Fodder Crops . £1,603,030 Hay . £1,413,566 Roots . £1,064,798 Wheat ... . £1,029,047 Potatoes... £841,584 Beans, Peas, &c. ... £149,241 Buck Wheat £122,636 Colza £8,460 £19,734,024 Of this gross value of the harvest of 1891, £10,506,000 was produced hj the islands, and £9,228,000 by the larger province of Jutiana. During that same year the net value of the exports of agricuituraJ. produce, after deducting imports, appears as follows : — Butter . 70,600,000 kroners Pork and Bacon . 21,400,000 Cattle . 17,800,000 Swine . 11,800,000 „ Horses . 7,600,000 Eggs... . 5,700,000 Mour . 1,600,000 Sheep 700,000 „ Calves 400,000 137,600,000 equal to £7,644,450 Prom this table it will be seen that butter occupies the foremost place in .the list of exports from this country. It is estimated that the number of cows in Denmark is about 960,000, but as this return includes heifers between two and three years of age, and also old ones that are being fattened off, the number of cows actually yielding milk cannot exceed 760,000. The whole of the produce of these animals is either sold as new milk, or made into butter ; the manufacture of new milk cheese being unattempted. The immense growth of the butter industry during the last twenty-eight years may be gathered from the following table, which is copied from the official returns : — Denmark's Imports and Exports of Butter. Years. Imports. Exports. Excess of Exports over Imports. 1865tol869(average) 1,165,000 lbs. 10,837,000 lbs. 9,672,000 lbs. 1870 to 1874 ,, 4,021,000 „ 22,787,000 „ 18,766,000 , 1875 to 1879 ,, 5,434,000 .„ 28,956,000 „ 23,522,000 , 1880 to 1884 „ 7,608,000 .„ 32,058,000 „ 24,450,000 , 1885 10,200,000 ,„ 39,116,000 „ 28,916,000 , 1886 9,163,000 „ 44,411,000 „ 35,248,000 , 1887 11,174,000 „ 63,042,000 „ 41,868,000 , 1888 13,663,000 „ 66,355,000 „ 62,792,000 , 1889 16,257,000 ,, 75,714,000 „ 60,457,000 , 1890 20,653,000 ,, 98,185,000 „ 77,632,000 , 1891 23,948,000 „ 101,575,000 „ 77,627,000 , Here it will be noticed, that the growth of the trade has been uninterrupted,^ that it has gone on by leaps and bounds, until the exports have increased tenfold. Certainly, it appears as though a slight check had been received in the last-named year, as the increase over 1890 was but 3,390,000 lbs., instead of the leap of 22,471,000 lbs. made in 1890 over the previous year. This increase of 3,390,000 lbs. is more than counter balanced by the excess of 3,39.5,300 lbs, of imports over those of 1890. It may probably be inferred that the " high- water mark " has been reached in this trade, so far as the country's own produce is concerned. Dealing with the exports in 1891 it appears that — England took ... Germany ,, Sweden ,, Norway ,, Holland ,, Other Countries took 98,365,000 lbs. 1,832,000 „ 585,000 „ 290,000 „ 226,000 „ 267,000 „ 101,575,000 lbs. From this, it is apparent that 98 per cent, of the butter exported by Denmark comes to England. The value of this commodity was about £5,000,000 sterling. These figures serve to show in a remarkable manner the extraordinary hold that the Danes have obtained of the butter supply of this country. Eurther, the great majority of this butter is received into the northern and north-midland counties of England, and the Lowlands of Scotland ; or in other words the manufacturing and mining -districts of our island. Indeed, the Danes affirm that their butter is consumed almost entirely by the well-to-do working classes of England and Scotland, and that it is patronised very largely by the hotel keepers and restaurant proprietors. They consider these classes are very great critics, and, having many other kinds of butter to choose from, are not easy to please, but require an article of the very finest quality. How has this extraordinary hold of our market been achieved and what are the properties of the Danish butter that have gained it such favour among our well-to-do working classes and others ? There is no doubt it is owing to the excellence and uniformity of the quality of the lutter, and the regular dependable character of the supply ; and the manner in which these qualifications have been attained reflects the highest praise upon the patience, intelligence, skill, perseverance, and business capaci- ties of the Danish dairy farmers. Eorthere isno question that thirty years ago the quality of their produce was far from either excellent or uniform, and certainly the supply was not constant throughout the year, and therefore could not be depended upon. The manufacture indeed was confined to the summer months, and the methods adopted produced an article very different to that now so well known. The progress of agriculture in Denmark, and of the butter industry in particular, during the period referred to, forms one of the most interesting chapters of modern history, and is pregnant with lessons to those who desire to learn, and to profit by the example of others. Suffice it here to remark, that a number of Holstemers settled m Denmark about tlie middle of the present century, that they becam& managers of estate dairies or in some cases dairy farmers, ana practically introduced a better and more profitable system of manage- ment, so that in the course of a few years the Holstem dairy system had nearly everywhere superseded the older and moreineffioient methods. Shallow pans were used for raising cream, and butter made m the Holstein churn worked by hand or horse power. A very important service done by the Holsteiners was the introduction of " marling the land,, which improved the character of the pastures to a considerable extent. Indeed agriculturists around Kiel at the present day attribute the excellent quality of the Danish butter to the results of the marling introduced years ago by the Holsteiners. The Eoyal Danish Agricul- tural Society impressed upon the Government of the country the necessity of encouraging and fostering the dairy industry. By the aid given by the state, and the encouragement of the Society referred to, a number of eminent men were induced to undertake a series _ of investigations with the object of determining and laying down leading principles for the various processes of dairying. Thus the thermometer and scales, and test tubes, and other appliances, came to take their place as indispensable articles in every dairy ; and in all well-managed establishments a careful and detailed system of book-keeping and registration of results sprang up. Then followed a systematic series of practical lessons in dairy work. Numerous classes were held, some perambulatory, others fixed at the residences of persons who had made to themselves a name in butter-making. These, and exhibitions of dairy work and produce, aroused the interest of the farmers and showed them the capabilities of the industry, and the development that was- possible. About 1870 it became usual to cream the milk in deep cylindrical vessels by means of ice. Then followed the manufacture of improved appliances and machines, notably the " Separator,''' and the manufacture of butter soon assumed immense proportions. Next came the important question. How could a regular and continuous supply of butter be maintained throughout the year, so that when foreign marketa were obtained, they could be certain of getting a constant supply ? It is a well-known fact that farmers, by over production at certain times of the year, do not obtain so high a price for their goods as would be the case were the supply more regular, and better distributed. It is always bad poKcy to over-crowd a market at one season, and have no supply at another. In such cases no dependence can be placed upon the producer, and no regular customers retained. REGULAR AND CONTINUOUS SUPPLY. In order to bring this about it was necessary — 1. That careful attention should be paid to the selection, feeding and management of their cows. 2. That proper provision should be made in aU large dairy herds for a due proportion of autumn calvers. It is very noticeable that in all these reforms the large owners and more intelligent men led the way, the small men f oUowed ; often indeed being compelled by the force of necessity. This appears to be the manner in which technical instruction is making its way, among our rural population especially, at the present day, the work will have to percolate through the various sections of society before it gets to the lowest, and perhaps most needy. Erom a return furnished of the number of cows in twenty-three of the largest dairies in Denmark, it appears that about one half are autumn calvers. Thus taking ten of these for illustration we have — Number "/ Number of Per centage Calving Dairy. Cows kept. before Jan. \st. 1 107 49 2 79 63 3 179 64 4 66 36 5 93 42 6 66 26 7 107 68 8 65 38 9 46 76 10 66 56 By this means the supply of milk, and consequently that of butter, is kept up throughout the year. This method calls for very great attention in regard to the feeding and management during the long Danish winter. Much care has been bestowed upon this subject, of suitable and economical feeding, with a view to determine — ■ 1. The most desirable articles to use as feeding stuffs in order to produce a copious supply of milk of a high quaKty of butter fats. 2. How, and in what quantities and proportions to give those articles so as to do the feeding in the most economical manner. On both these important points the Danes have much to say as the result of their careful experiments. They are able to state emphatically, that their system of autumn calvers, and of winter feeding, pays them in every way. Firstly, because the amount obtained for the produce during the winter shows a gain over the amount expended in feeding and management ; and secondly, because if the winter supply of butter was not kept up, their market for the summer ■would either be lost altogether, or so glutted as to be comparatively worthless. The following table wiU iUustrate the system of winter feeding pursued in some of the large dairies referred to : — i5 Z 5 III ill IL E U h Z I S t CO 6 t^ CO to t^ CO 9* lO I-- ^O Jr- ^ ~** O^ t^ CD CO o o O O^ -^ CD ^ '^ ,-c CO CO : CD <33 t^ CO "? . ^ .-> CO ^ (M (N .-H P^ cq -— ' »o T— 1 o CD Cj5 en lO t^ o o^ (N (N rH CD lO tN CO : . ■-( r- -1 ID CO -^ t^ CD (N O >0 Yield of Milh per Cow in Ihs. during the TFinter. 3406 2736 3162 2522 2755 2513 k "a JVb. of days with special feeding. 1— 1 O^ CO -rtt rH 00 1— cq cq cq i <3 Per centage of Autumn Cahers. ro CO Tjt CO oq 00 -* u2 UO CO ■* >o J.- <^ OS OS CD eo t~ O 1^ *^ to OS o »-i o 00 ^ CO 00 00 00 1^ 00 00 CO 00 00 00 00 oo 00 00 00 00 Ti «!■* H^n n\Tif Hfel w^ Hi-* mItJI r^Ol I— lOOOOi— lasOlOOi— Ir I o o o o o o >— 'OO'— lOi— ir-IOOlOJOi— lO mi— Ir-HOi— iOOOOOOOi— I ^^Oi-HOr— lOOOOi— Ir- 1 — O 031— IrHi— IrHi— lOOOOOOi— I ^OO .— Ii— 100300000 mi— li— IrHOOOOOOOOi— I ^ MiTii ih1« h5» tH|-^^[Tjir-tJ« rHl-^rHlWrHlTjl ^^i— If— lOi— HOOOlOi— IOOt— I OQi— li— (i— (OrHOOOOrHr— 1|— i ^1— lOrHOi— lOOCsOO^i— I Mt— lr-l.-ll— lOOOOOOOrH ^OJCQi— IOO>— lOOOi-ii— li-i ' O O O O © i-l t-l ^^COCO(MCOi— lOt— If— li— (Oi— iCO ODi— li— li— IrHi— li— lOOOt— IrHr-i ^COCOOJOSCJOOOOOi— ICT ■ HlMr-.l^Ml«rH|^ WlrJOTN rHlrJ. -CT rHJCl H^ ^■*-#-*'*l'*l03.-.OOO'-' o O QJ f-< en ^ 9 "S =3 04 tS 9 r. O -g a S3 ti? Pm a ol S e^ h^ <^ m O (11 i'* 22 It will be seen from this table that the prices have gradually declined to the year 1889-90, when the lowest average price for the year was touched ; also, that very considerable difference exists between the prices obtained during the winter and summer months. The months of May and June being generally the lowest. Thus can be calculated the extra prices obtained for the produce of the cattle during the period of winter feeding. It should also be remembered that in some dairies, noted for their excellence, a bonus varying from Jd. to f d. per pound is obtained. These prices do not represent what can be obtained by makers of really good butter in Cheshire. At the County Council Dairy School, Worleston, the following prices have been received during the year 1893 for all the butter that could be produced ; and a contract has just been made with a tradesman in one of our Cheshire towns, to take the whole produce for 1894, at the same prices : — Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct Nov. Deo. 1/5 1/5 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/5 1/5 This proves very clearly, that if an article of excellent and uniform quality is produced, and the supply can be depended upon throughout the year, a market can be found at good prices. No doubt these prices could be exceeded, and will be, as the demand for this butter becomes greater, or if private families were supplied ; very probably cases could be found of private dairies where higher prices have been reached. It is very doubtful whether too much attention has not been given to other methods of disposing of milk, and the making of butter neglected. A well-known writer on agriculture has recently remarked that no farmer in Cheshire would give up making cheese to make butter. Perhaps not, but all depends upon the kind of cheese he makes, only the very best, will produce a greater value than is derived from butter at the prices named above, when due regard is paid to the higher value of the bye-products in the one case than the other. There is no doubt that the general quality of Cheshire cheese is higher than it ever was, and that increased attention is being paid to its proper manufacture, and that it is being more sought after generally, and inquired for, in districts where hitherto such has not been the case ; still, it is worth the careful attention of the farmer, and especially the small occupier, whether the production of a butter of high quality should not engage more of his attention, so as to ensure a higher remuneration for the article, and thus make it a more important branch of dairy work ; and open up another method of disposing of dairy products. SEPARATED MILK. In the dairies of many of the large proprietors, instead of the separated milk being "Pasteurised," it is passed along a conduit to cheese vats, and skim-milk cheese manufactured from it. Special 23 rooms and arrangements hare been provided for this work at most places. The cheese is ready for sale in six or eight weeks from making. The article does not appear at all inviting, and is disposed of entirely in Denmark, being used as an article of diet by the peasants and small occupiers. No attempt has been made to introduce it into England at present. The price realized for it is just under twopence per pound, and as thirteen pounds of separated milk are required to manufacture a pound of cheese, this affords a key as to the value of separated milk when so utilized, viz., about l^d. per gallon. At very few, if any, of the co-opierative dairies, is any attempt made to manufacture skim-milk cheese. In Sweden, however, it is done to a considerable extent in such dairies. The Danes place considerable value upon separated milk as an article of diet ; and amongst the poorer classes and the smaller peasant proprietors it is largely used in cases where English mothers would use new milk. They point out directly that it contains all the useful ingredients of food, and is only deficient in the fatty matters, which •can otherwise be supplied to the system. When the English people have grasped this truth, and are willing to recognise and use the separated milk freely, this commodity will be of very much greater value than at present, a circumstance that will increase the amount realised from milk by making butter. The separated milk taken back to the farms enables the holders to rear a considerable number of cattle, and to go in largely for keeping and feeding pigs. In the year 1891 the value of the calves •exported was 400,000 kroners, or .£22,222. At a large farm visited, it was noticed that at least 80 calves are reared each year, besides a number of male calves fed ofE. The keeping of pigs, and the development of the bacon trade with England has assumed very great proportions. So important has it become, that a new seaport for direct trade to Harwich and Grimsby has been established at Esbjerg, on the west coast of Jutland, and connected by rail with Copenhagen, from which it is eight hours distant. A regular line of steamers go constantly to the ports named, carrying bacon for the English markets. These steamers carry from 500 tons upwards on each journey. The pigs are killed at a general slaughter-house; the sides are partly cured, four are sewn together in a wrapper, and so sent to this country. Those arriving at Harwich are laden into railway trucks and dispatched to London, where they are prepared for sale at the establishments of the large bacon merchants. The Danish Government has given an annual subsidy of £7,000 to improve the steam communication with England, and diminished freights have been brought about by arrangements between the Danish State Railways and the Danish United Steamship Company. The result is that the freightage to England is ridiculously low, and, practically speaking, enables the Danes to place their bacon on the London or Manchester market as cheaply as the English farmer can do. The Steamship Company referred to has made arrangements 24 for sending vessels via the Ship Canal to Manchester in the new year. At one of the large farms visited, near Vordingberg, in the south of Zealand, an admirable house, specially constructed for the breeding and feeding of pigs was shown. In this house were close on 300 pigs, of different stages of growth, being pushed forward for the market. They are fed chiefly on Indian meal, and the separated milk and whey, and butter-milk, from the dairy, and are made ready for killing by the time they are nine months old, weighing then from 160 to 2001bs. The prices realised for such bacon were quoted as from 4d. to Sjd. per pound, according to the season of the year. Great care was taken at the farm referred to, with the feeding and general management of the pigs. The styes were well kept and clean. , Prom the returns it appears that the exportation of bacon and pigs from Denmark was — In 1885 value 14,000,000 kroners, equal .£780,000. „ 1889 „ 27,300,000 „ „ £1,520,000. ,, 1891 „ 33,000,000 „ „ £1,840,000. These figures show the great growth and importance of this industry, and the use made of the bye-products from the butter industry. Many enquiries were made from practical men as to the value attached to separated milk, as used for feeding purposes. The answer invariably given was IJd. per gallon ; and, indeed, in dairies where it is sold, that is the price universally charged. A most intelligent man, who has bestowed great attention on the value and properties of various feeding stuffs, gave, as the result of numerous experiments, that the value of six lbs. of separated milk was equal to one lb. of corn. Prom these different sources it appears that the value of separated milk may be estimated at l^d. per gallon, and this amount therefore should be credited to it in estimating the amount produced from milk when made into butter. It may be interesting to draw attention to the extent to which eggs are produced in Denmark, and exported, mostly to this country. Every farmer, large or small, has his stock of poultry, which are carefully attended to. The value of the exports of eggs in 1881 was £100,000. ,, „ ,, 1891 „ £300,000. „ ,, „ 1892 ,, £400,000. It is believed that the largest proportion of these are from the small proprietors, whose wives and children undertake the management of the fowls, and make a fair income therefrom. DANISH COWS. The breed of cows kept is smaller than those to bo seen in Cheshire, and on dairy farms in England generally. They are what are termed by some farmers " cloggy " cows, having rather large bodies on short legs. They have the appearance of being useful animals, and capable of giving a considerable quantity of milk, though 26 not equal to the English dairy cow. The annual yield of good Danish cows was stated to be 50001bs. to 55001bs. On most large farms a careful record is kept of the yield of each cow ; a board for registering the same being hung up in the cowshed adjoining each animal. Good English cows should, if their owners are to make a profit by them, give a larger yield than this ; 60001bs. is often given for such, but instances are known where the yield has reached 8000 lbs. per cow ; but in these cases very special attention is paid to the feeding and management, and selection of the cattle. It is doubtful whether it pays an English farmer to keep a cow that yields less than SOOOlbs. milk annually, if even that quantity does. The prevailing colour in Danish cows is deep red; the roan, so dear to the eye of the lilnglish farmer, is very rare. The animals are most carefully attended to during the long winter, and in the early days of autumn ; it is not unusual to see the cattle grazing with bags tied on them, to protect them from chills. Owing to the absence of hedges in the greater part of the country, and the small extent of many of the holdings, the cows cannot be turned out to graze at large, but are tethered in the fields, at convenient distances apart, and moved from time to time as is required. Water is taken to them, and they are milked in the fields. In the autumn when the various crops have been gathered in, they are allowed to feed at liberty, a person being allotted to mind them. Owing to their treatment, the cows seem much more docile and less inclined to roam than the English cows. Considerable attention is paid to the growth of crops for fodder; and several new plants, notably Lucerne, have been introduced into the country. A large amount of beet-root, for manufacture into sugar, is grown, and after the juice has been expressed the pulp is made use of for feeding purposes. The price of an average good cow was given as 200 kroners, or £11 2s. 6d. Some years ago it was believed that the breeding and rearing of cattle for exportation might be as profitable as dairy farming, and much attention was given to the subject. The result has not confirmed this opinion. During the last ten years the exports of cattle have generally been about 9000 head, more or less annually. In 1891 the value was 17,800,000 kroners, against 70,600,000 kroners for butter. Indeed the exportation of bacon and pigs is now much more valuable, and seems to be supplanting it, partly, no doubt, owing to the restrictions placed upon the importation of cattle into this country. THE GRASS LAND AND PASTURES. There appears to be but little of old permanent pasture, such as we are accustomed to in Cheshire, the general manage- ment of which is so well understood here. The grass _ lands lack that special appearance which is understood as indicative of good cultivation, and of the land being in high condition. Their pastures contain more of the coarser kinds, and are wanting in the choicer and finer, and more succulent grasses, which are such an important part of the constitution of good pasture land. Their 26 leys of one or two years are, in many cases, patchy and not regular, and well seeded down. The grass land is being continually broken up, and does not remain as grass land or pasture for a long period, as we are accustomed to see it. A very large portion, especially in Jutland, is poor, wet, marshy, and boggy land ; and the general character of the land in the islands is not equal to that of our good districts in Cheshire. Astonishment was expressed in several cases that so much land in England should be kept as parks, surrounding the residences of the landed gentry, yet, singular to say, large proprietors or farmers in Denmark are trying to surround their dwellings with patches of wood, and place all the land adjoining their residences under grass. The absence of trees in the greater portion of the country at once strikes the attention of an Englishman. THE TENURE OF LAND. The agriculturists in Denmark appear to consist of two classes. Firstly, the landed proprietor who farms his own estate, in the manner already referred to ; and secondly, the peasant proprietor, who owns and farms his holding, which varies in size from a very few acres to eighty-five acres, the number of smaller holdings predominating. There are but few illustrations of the class of " tenant farmers " who hold their land by payment of a yearly rental. In a case of the latter kind that came under notice, the rent paid was 30/- per acre, the land being fairly good, but at some distance from a large market. Good land is evidently easily let, where it is to be had, at rather high prices. It is stated that the value of land has considerably increased during the last decade of years. PEASANT PROPRIETORS. From a report furnished to the British Foreign Ofiice, it appears that the number of peasant proprietors in Denmark is very large, and also that this number is very rapidly increasing. Thus the number of such farms was — In 1850 66,841, of these 45,000 were freehold. „ 1860 69,094, „ 56,000 „ „ 1873 70,959, „ 62,000 „ 1885 71,678, ,, 66,000 The farms that were not freehold, were let by the landlord to the peasant for the lifetime of himself and his wife, according to an oldDanish custom. A peasant farm cannot be farmed out on any other condition. It appears from this table that the number of farms has increased, but their area has diminished. The chief cause of this is the partition of the bigger peasant farms into smaller properties. The persons occupying most of these farms may, as regards connection, manner of living, education, &c., be reckoned as peasants. The enactments of the state have tended to increase the number of small holdings. These enactments have worked in a two-fold direction, their aim having been — firstly, that the number of peasant farms should not decrease ; and secondly, that all such farms should 27 become the freehold property of the possessor. To attain the first aim, it is forbidden or made difficult to abolish peasant farms, and the agglomeration of several small farms into one is discouraged. On the other hand owners of peasant farms are at liberty to divide the farms among their children, provided the partition is not driven to such an extent that the area of the farm is reduced below the minimum, which has been legally fixed for a "peasant farm." In order that the farms shall become the freehold property of the tenants, premiums or inducements have been held out to landlords to sell their farms to the tenants as freehold property. Possessors of entailed estates have been permitted to sell their peasant farms ; and the State, itself, has sold to the tenants such farms as belonged to the State, on terms that were equitable, and in accordance with the wants and means of the tenants. Further, public institutions depending on the State have been ordered to sell their farms to the tenants on conditions similar to those adopted by the State. It appears, however, that the indebtedness of the peasant proprietors has increased very considerably during the last twenty years. The causes of this indebtedness are nearly, without exception, the transfers of the farms through sale, or through inheritance. Only a small part of the indebtedness is attributable to the tenants living beyond their means. In purchasing their farms, only a small portion of the purchase-money was in many cases paid, the rest remaining as a mortgage debt on the farm. A similar debt is incurred when a farm is inherited, the heir either having to borrow money on mortgage to pay ofE the shares of his brothers and sisters, or they leave the same on mortgage of the farm. Hence many of the peasant proprietors are burdened with a debt, and the payment of interest thereon, which is equivalent to an ordinary rent. The small profits made do not enable them to shake themselves clear of this bondage. Still the peasant proprietor feels that the land is his own, to do with as he deems best ; that all improvements effected are his own, and though some people may call this sentiment, yet sentiment is a consideration in human nature that has to be dealt with. The peasant farms are subject to the common laws of inheri- tance, but several special enactments are laid down with a view to keeping them in the possession of the respective peasant families. A peasant who owns more than one farm cannot leave by will more than one of his farms to a single heir, when he has other heirs who would in that case be left without any farm. LABOUR, WAGES, AND RATES. The whole of the work on many of the peasant farms is performed entirely by the members of the family. The _ women take a considerable share in field labour, and especially in dairy work. On the larger farms, and on those of the great_ proprie- tors, labour has to be hired. As far as is practicable, work is let off in " piece work." For example, threshing barley was being done by steam power on one large farm visited, the price paid being 3d. for 28 every 200 lbs. weight of barley. On this same estate the day wages given were 1/6^ per day at ordinary times, and 1/11 J per day in harvest, the day lasting from light to dark. No food was provided in this ease. In other places wages were quoted on ordinary occasions at 1/. per day, though in such cases probably a cottage was attached, and perquisites in the shape of milk, &c., allowed. The labourer, as a thorough workman, is not to be compared to the farm labourer of Cheshire, either in the manner he goes about his work, or the amount he is able to accomplish. Many classes of work common here, as hedging, thatching, stacking, &c., are practically unknown in Denmark. The ordinary tools used by the farm labourers are not such as would gain the approbation of our workmen. The land moreover does not seem to be cultivated to so great a depth as with us. The horses used are small and light, and the ordinary farm carts of a poor, slight, ricketty description. Bullocks are largely used for hauling purposes, two being yoked to one cart, side by side. On one farm visited no less than sixteen bullocks were regularly employed for hauling and ordinary work. It is stated that expenses in the shape of interest, taxes, and wages, have increased considerably during the last decade of years. The rates on the good houses, and larger farms and properties, amount to a considerable item, but no trustworthy information was obtained on this point ; the method of collecting and arranging rates and taxes being diiferent than with us. The method of living of the small occupiers and proprietors is very simple, and as inexpensive as possible; their desires and wants are very limited. Eye bread enters largely into their diet. They cannot be said to be very well off, but there is no appear- ance of actual poverty. The Danes are doubtless thrifty, persevering, and energetic. Everything is turned to value that possibly can be, nothing allowed to run to waste, but strict economy practised. In Jutland the peasants and labourers are not so well off, as on the islands. In some places considerable quantities of fish are caught in the streams and ponds, and used as food. Complaints are raised in Denmark, as indeed in other European countries, of the drifting of labour from the country districts to the larger centres of population, and consequently of the increased difficulty and cost of obtaininglabour. It is manifest that the prices obtained for dairy products are about as low as they possibly can be, in order that sufficient profit may be made to enable the occupiers and farmers to make a decent livelihood, indeed, nothing but the extraordinary intelligence shown in the management of the dairy industry, and the adopting of the newest appliances, with improved methods of feeding, has enabled them to produce the articles at the prices they have been receiving for them. ADULTERATION OF BUTTER, AND MARGARINE. The Danish Government is so impressed with the necessity of maintaining the high reputation of the butter sent to this country, that several laws have been passed since 1885 for the regulation of the manufacture and sale of margarine, and against any adulteration of the butter exported . The producers themselves are fully aware of 29 the uneasiness of the dairy farmers of England on this matter, and of the efforts that are being made to lessen the supply imported, and they are determined to let slip no opportunity of maintaining the position they have gained, and, hence, try to make their article to suit the English taste and market in every conceivable way. In 1891 a most effective measure came into operation in regard to margarine. It provides for the registration and inspection of all manufactories of margarine, and prohibits the sale of the article except in properly marked receptacles of a special shape. It prescribes that margarine shall be of a lighter colour than butter, and forbids its use as an adulterant for butter, and its fraudulent sale as the genuine dairy product. These wise regulations are most stringently enforced, so that attempts at a breach of the law are very rare. Indeed, the Act, itself, was passed at the earnest desire of the makers of butter, who were jealous of their good name, and demanded the absolute prohibi- tion of the manufacture, use, and export of margarine. With so-called " Danish mixtures " sometimes seen in this country, the Danes have nothing to do, and cannot be held responsible for them. It is believed that the butter from Denmark is very free from adulteration. The manufacture of margarine in Denmark has, however, considerably increased of late years, and has in one way an important bearing on the butter industry. Many of the smaller farmers, the peasants, and the working classes in the towns, use margarine themselves, on account of its cheapness, thus enabling a larger quantity of the butter to be exported. In 1889 the quantity of margarine manufactured was stated to be 10,000,000 lbs., this had risen in 1890 to 12,000,000. Nearly all is used in the country, and it is calculated that the gain, in consequence, by allowing extra butter to be exported is no less than from £225,000 to .£280,000, a striking illustration of economical management. SPECIAL. IViEANS TAKEN TO SECURE AND MAINTAIN THE ENGLISH MARKET. In 1889 the Minister of the Interior in Denmark appointed a special consulting dairy expert to proceed to England and reside there, so as to advise on the best methods to secure and maintain a hold on the English market, and to keep the producers acquainted with the special desires of the English public. A copy of the instructions given to this gentleman will best illustrate this matter. Duties of Consulting Expert in England. 1. Tou will seek to promote the reputation and sale of Danish agricultural products, especially dairy products, in the Enghsh markets by all existing means at your disposal, and when these do not seem sufiicient you will propose fresh arrangements. 2. Tou must direct your attention to the conditions affecting the trade in the transport of Danish agricultural products, especially dairy products, both before the goods reach the English market and after they have arrived. 30 3. Tou -will be required to contradict in the press, especially the English press, unjust and injurious assertions affecting Danish agriculture, especially the dairy industry and products ; and you will endeavour to bring about a just appreciation of such products. 4. Tou will be on the look-out for fraudulent practices in England and elsewhere which may injure the reputation of Danish butter, as well as for cases of fraudulent use of the name Danish, adulterations of Danish butter with margarine and similar practices ; and you will make the necessary representations as to the measures for preventing these fraudulent practices ; to this end you will be provided with the necessary apparatus (microscopical and chemical) to enable you to detect adulterations. 5. Tou will ascertain whether other advantageous markets can be opened for our agricultural products, especially dairy products. 6. Whenever there is occasion, and at least once a year, you will send, through the Eoyal Danish Agricultural Society, a report on the English market for agricultural produce, especially dairyproduce, together with an account of your observations and experience respecting the requirements of consumers, the disadvantages or defects which may be detrimental to the sale of Danish agri- cultural products, especially dairy products, and the changes in trade arrangements which appear to be desirable. 7. As far as possible you will be required to answer inquiries concern- ing agricultural and dairy matters which may be addressed to you by institutions or private persons in Denmark. Tou will also, as far as it seems to you to be useful to Danish interests, answer inquiries from English dealers in, and consumers of, Danish agricultural and dairy produce. 8. Tou must have no direct or indirect personal interest in the sale of Danish agricultural and dairy produce. When we see the care and skill and wisdom adopted to under- stand and meet the requirements of the English public, we cannot wonder at the success which has attended their efforts, and the firm hold they have obtained, especially when we bear in mind the great indifference shown by our own producers, and the lack of a desire to meet the wishes of the community so often shown. The Danes look to England as the grandest market in the world, a market where any quantity of a commodity can be disposed of, if that commodity be only good, and suited to the taste of the purchaser. To obtain a footing in, and a hold over, such a market is an object worthy of their best efforts. As a further and indirect example of their perseverance to understand England and its people, and their wishes, English is taught in their upper schools, and a very 31 large number of the inhabitants of Copenhagjen have some knowledge of our language, so that it is not at all difficult for an Englishman to make himself understood. As was more than once expressed, "A small country depending for its trade and existence upon a larger one, must learn the language of the larger one." AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN DENMARK. Perhaps it would be of interest to add a few words on the question of the means taken to advance education in dairying and agriculture in Denmark. It appears there are three important agricultural schools where special instruction is provided in the theory and practice of dairy- ing and cognate subjects. A very large number of the co-operative dairies, and some of the dairies of the large proprietors, take in pupils to train in the practical work. Such pupils, if they wish to become managers of dairies, must afterwards spend a certain time in one of the three schools just referred to, to take up the theoretical subjects involved ; especially the testing of milk, and a knowledge of its composition, as also book-keeping. The work being carried out by these dairies and schools is supplemented by lectures in the higher branches of dairy science at the Eoyal Veterinary and Agricultural College, at Copenhagen. It will be noticed that the work being carried out at the Dairy School, at "Worleston, by the Cheshire County Council, is of a nature similar to that undertaken at the dairies and schools just named. The Danish Government exercises no direct control over the dairies, nor does it support them in a direct manner. An indirect assistance is, however, furnished in the shape of bursaries or scholar- ships, and by their appointment of dairy experts and the encourage- ment and aid given to butter exhibitions. A large grant is annually made by the Government to the Agricultural College, at Copenhagen, and to the Experimental Laboratory for Eural Economics, which institution is mainly occupied in arranging a series of butter shows, in which often over 500 dairies take part. BUTTER SHOWS. These differ considerably from our butter exhibits at the agricultural shows. The objects aimed at are — (1) To develop and improve the yield of butter. (2) To improve the keeping quality of butter. (3) To take means for maintaining the position which Danish butter has attained in the markets of the world. (4) To take notice of the feeding employed in different dairies, and the influence of certain foods on the quality of the butter. In order to carry out these ideas, a continuous show of butter is held at the expense of the State during several months. Fresh samples of 32 butter are accepted every 14 days. Two distinct testings are made of all samples by the judges, one on arrival, and tbe other after 14 days. The loss of weight through drainage away of brine, is also taken into account. Invitations to take part in the shows are sent to dairies equal to turning out at least three casks of butter per week, and therefore likely to have a cask ready when the invitation reaches them. The butter sent is paid for at a current market price. The authorities also defray cost of carriage from the station or port nearest to the dairy. As the same dairy sends in butter several times in the course of the year, great facilities are afforded for ascertaining which are the best-managed dairies, or the reverse. It is then to be seen where the art of butter-making can best be learned. The expenses attending these shows, which are held at intervals, of a fortnight, during eight months of each year, are estimated at ^165 per month, and the Government grant for the current financial year is about .i£l,350. Competing dairies have, moreover, to send in a return of feeding stuffs used, and general system followed on the farm. A list of questions is sent out, to be answered by the authorities of the competing dairies, relating to the methods of management and details observed. Some of the leading butter merchants are appointed as judges, of whom nine act at one time. These nine are divided into three groups, each group separately examines, and gives its independent judgment on every cask. These shows are believed to have been productive of great good, and to have had great effect in attaining the objects aimed at. DAIRY EXPERTS OR ADVISERS. Three consulting experts were appointed in 1889, whose duties were thus laid down — Duties of Consulting Dairy Adviser. 1. Upon application being made to him, he shall assist, by direct advice and actual supervision, the operations and processes of production in the dairies, and shall assist local associations formed with the object of promoting the dairy industry where- ever his assistance is desired. 2. He must keep a book wherein lie must enter a short summary of all applications made to him, in the order in which he received them, together with a short account of his journeys, especially with respect to the time occupied and importance of the matter on which his advice was sought. S. For guidance on all doubtful matters and questions of administra- tion he must address himself to the Royal Danish Agricultural Society, who shall determine his plan of operations and supervise his work, and whose approval he mu^J; obtain before 33 publisbing any paper, report, or communication introducing new and untried arrangements. Applications he may desire to make to the Ministry should be sent through the same society, unless the Ministry shall find it convenient to enter into direct communication with him. 4. He must live in Copenhagen, and must keep the Agricultural Society constantly informed of his address. 5. Any dairy, association, or individual farmer receiving assistance from the consulting expert must pay his expenses to and fro (second class railway fare and first class steamer) as well as an allowauoe of 4s. 6d. per day, reckoning a half-day from his house, or from and to the dairy, and then until he quits the dairy requiring his services. 6. The consulting expert is not allowed to receive a gratuity of any kind for the advice he gives, nor is he permitted to trade in dairy products, dairy appliances, materials, &g. In the letter appointing these experts, they are expected to devote their whole attention to the condition of the Danish dairy industry, and to any rational means for its development. It is rather singular, that while there is a hankering desire after Protection shown by a section of our farmers, and while the agriculturists of Germany are leaving no stone unturned to uphold Protection, the dairy farmers of Denmark are taking an exactly opposite course. A congress of representatives of the agricultural societies has been lately held at Odense in Funen, at which it was agreed to urge the Government to introduce a measure providing for the admission, free of duty, of all foreign food products which are necessaries of life, and of raw materials of industry. A reduction of the duties on manufactured goods was also advocated. To secure the revenue necessary to meet the losses incurred in this manner, they suggested that an income tax should be levied, and that the Excise duties on tobacco and alcoholic drinks should be raised. In conclusion, it should be observed that the circumstances under which the dairy industry is carried on in Cheshire, differ in many important features from those existing in Denmark. It would not be desirable, therefore, to transplant the Danish system entire into this county, especially is this the case as regards the co-operative dairies ; but it is matter for serious consideration, whether some modified system, tending in that direction, might not be established in various places, whereby the smaller tenants could take advantage of the new appliances, and especially of the separator, in turning their milk into butter. In Derbyshire, butter factories have been established, with, it is stated by Mr. Murray (a great authority on this subject) highly satisfactory results. Probably the landlords may see their way to meet and assist their tenants in this direction. 34 In the matter of keeping up a continuous supply by means of autumn calvers, no difficulty need be experienced. Indeed, many farmers wbo are engaged in the supply of new milk, now have to adopt this method in order to keep up their supply. Especially is this the case where contracts are entered into with public institutions. The question of feeding profitably and economically, is one the Cheshire farmer is capable of managing as well as his foreign rival, if he will only give his attention to it. The Danes pay great attention to details, and to the manner in which their goods are placed upon the market ; they do not attempt to make the market subservient to them. In this, as well as their determination to get at the customer directly, if possible, they afford a good example. In the character of his land, the condition of his pastures, in the breed and milking properties of his cattle, as well as the ability of his workmen, the Cheshire farmer is ahead of his competitor in Denmark. These advantages counter-balance any disadvantages in the tenure of the land, or rate of wages paid. There is no reason why, if he will but give the necessary attention to it, he should not also take his proper and natural place — the first — as a maker of butter, and secure a fair share of the large sum paid for this commodity. Where proper attention is given to this subject, and the methods being so thoroughly taught, pursued, an article is produced equal, and in many instances superior to that made by the Danes. Let us hope this may soon become the rule. Foreigners are apt to say, — " When Englishmen make up their minds to accomplish a thing, there is no preventing them doing it." Make up your minds therefore, to be at the head in producing good, reliable butter, regularly and continuously throughout the year. --^67^®^vSlSl9— SF 233.045^2"""'™"'""-'""'" "[]^ dairy industry and dairy farming in 3 1924 003 088 246 ■l'. ! ill