Tinned Butter.

There are two other, although minor, features connected with butter-blending which are sufficiently important to find a place in this report. In one of the large blending-houses in Normandy I have been enabled to see something of a system which is carried out to a considerable extent. From this factory, situated at St. Pierre sur Dives, a large quantity of butter is exported to Brazil in hermetically-sealed tin cases. The edge of each case is lined with indiarubber, and when filled it is placed upon a horizontal disc, which revolves with great speed. On either side are two smaller discs, which are suspended from above, and which can be brought at will close to the edges of the tin cases, over which they enclose the lid with great accuracy and rapidity. I learned that this machine cost £60, and that the butter arrives at its destination in first-rate condition. Indeed, I was informed by the proprietor, M. Le Petit, that it would keep for eight months. The boxes of butter which are sent to England are branded in a very simple manner. The iron plaque, upon which the necessary words or figures have been produced in casting, is placed upon a hot plate over a furnace, which is so contrived that the flame rushes up on one side an iron division, heating the plate above.