Poetry · Chapter
An Average Rule to Judge of Cheese explained
A practical poem detailing the economics of cheese production in Ontario, including the milk-to-cheese ratio, factory output, and the advantages of shipping cheese over grain.
What happens
A practical poem detailing the economics of cheese production in Ontario, including the milk-to-cheese ratio, factory output, and the advantages of shipping cheese over grain.
Themes in this chapter
Agriculture and Rural Economy
The poem details the economic calculations and industrial scale of cheese production in Ontario.
Progress and Technology
References to factories, large-scale production, and efficient shipping illustrate technological and industrial progress.
Key passages
“Ten pounds of milk will nmke one pound Of cheese”
It takes ten pounds of milk to produce one pound of cheese.
Establishes the average conversion ratio for cheese making.
“In season, factory can with ease Make quarter million pounds of cheese”
During the peak season, a factory can easily produce 250,000 pounds of cheese.
Highlights the scale of production in Ontario cheese factories.
“Advantage cheese has over grain In shipping it across the main. It is great saving in the freight, Its value is six times as great Each pound, as barley, wheat or peas”
Cheese is more economical to ship than grain because its value per pound is six times higher, saving on freight costs.
Explains the economic rationale for prioritizing cheese exports over grain.