Excerpt from Scientific Butter-Making
Says Prof. Arnold: - "The art of butter-making is an intricate operation. Its success depends upon a succession of little acts, each one of which is liable, when not performed aright, to alter the whole character of the production. The correct performance of all these little acts involves an acquaintance with the properties of milk which the present extent of practical and scientific knowledge renders it difficult to acquire." This was said or published in 1879. Since that time there has been some advance, at least in practical knowledge, that makes it less difficult to acquire the art of butter-making. But the position taken by Prof. Arnold, while from his point of view a right one, is not the position taken by the writer of this Manual. Butter-making is largely a mechanical operation, and in some measure is made more difficult or less difficult according to the mechanical aids in use. For instance, were one to attempt to follow out the whole process, according to the simplest directions possible to be given, by always using the hand to determine temperature, how much more difficult would be the process, and how much more uncertain the result, than would be were the operator to make intelligent use of a thermometer.
Again, the carrying out of each of the different processes, does not necessarily involve an acquaintance on the part of the operator with the knowledge of the peculiar qualities or properties of the material worked upon - milk, cream or butter. The process may be followed out mechanically, the operator imitating, as it were, the practice of others who employ the scientific method. For instance, care and cleanliness may be practised without knowing how important the effect upon the product; advantage may be taken of a falling temperature in which to raise cream, without appreciating the interesting and somewhat involved theories that support the practice; butter may be washed in a granulated state without thought of the, in many respects, great advantage in the practice.
Yet it is true that a knowledge of the why and wherefore of any process enables the operator to follow it out not only with more pleasure, but with more advantage, certainty and profit. While good results may be obtained by carefully following out a practice that has been acquired without a knowledge of the theory involved, many advantages would come of understanding the theory. The operator would be able to provide against exceptional cases which sometimes occur, that otherwise would be difficult to meet. A more rapid advance toward perfection would be made by one possessed of both theory and practice.
Prof. Bell said on this subject: - "It is desirable that all persons connected with the prosecution of the dairy business, should have acquaintance with the principles on which success depends."
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