# An Average Rule to Judge of Cheese explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/an-average-rule-to-judge-of-cheese
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters