Resources

The One of the most important branches of agricul~ Dairylnd“s“y ture is the Dairy Industry. Since 1891, when co-operative dairying was begun, there has been great improvement in this line. An experimental station for the manufacture of cheese started in 1892 under the supervision of the Dominion Dairy Commissioner, was f llowed in the succeeding years by other factories, all with one exception, being on the co—operative principle, each company owning its building and plant. A Dairymen's Association was organized in 1898, and in the same year a dairy inspector was appointed, who has been continued in office up to the present time. A Cheese Board was established in 1899, which has greatly facilitated the sale of cheese. A dairy school for the instruction of the makers was conducted in Charlottetown in the winter of 1902, and was again in opera~ tion last winter. The industry was a success from the start and both the number of factories and the production of cheese and butter increased from year to year. All of the factories—fifty in number—are now conducted by Joint Stock Companies, and are all under the supervision of a competent inspector.

The development of the cheese industry has

been remarkable. In 1896 the cheese manufactured and sold in this Province—the product of the 34 factories— amounted to 1,612,2091bs., valued at $141,235.19. In 1899 there were manufactured 3, 746 168 lbs, valued at $376060 ; and m the census _\ ear the cheese product was4,45~,5191b.~., worth $449 088. The value of cheese made in 1902 was $257,071.90, and in 1903, $280,026.45. For various reasons the production of cheese has declined, as will be noticed,

within the past three years, but the outlook is promising for the future.

Cheese

Owing to the lack of proper facilities for getting the product on the market in prime condition, the butter industry is not so advanced as that of the cheese. But the Island is capable of producing a very fine quality of [77]

Butter