REPORT OF STATE DAIRY INSPECTOR. 



Hon. J . P. Buckley, Coiiunissioncr of Agriculture: 



I herewith submit my report as Dairy Inspector from May 

 1st to Dec. 31. 1911. 



Since assuming the duties of this office, special attention has 

 been given to the milk supplies of the different cities and towns 

 visited, especially in the warm summer months, when numerous 

 complaints have been received from different sections. The.se 

 complaints have always been followed up and the cause of the 

 trouble remedied. Revisions in the dairy laws have placed the 

 responsibility of adulterated or watered milk or cream on the 

 person in whose possession it is found. Many dealers who buy 

 their product have rebelled against this change, calling it an in- 

 justice to them, but the law protects the consumer and makes 

 tlie dealer more careful as to whom he buys from. The law 

 in relation to cleaning and sterilizing cans is a great help to the 

 producer, but he should share the responsibility and be sure that 

 the cans are clean. 



This Department has signified its willingness to help a dealer 

 who suspects that he is buying watered or otherwise impure 

 milk, as is shown by the fact that four prosecutions have re- 

 sulted from complaints received from milkmen themselves. 

 During the entire year 792 samples of milk were taken, 46 of 

 cream, 17 of skim-milk and 20 of butter; representing condi- 

 tions in 15 cities and 25 towns, in every section of the State. 

 Fifty-eight, or 7.3 per cent of the samples of milk contained 

 water and there have been 28 prosecutions during the year for 

 selling adulterated milk. More cases are pending, and two 

 parties convicted have appealed to the Supreme Court. Of the 

 samples of milk. 418. or 52.7 per cent, were found to contain 

 visible ^^ediment and were reported as dirty or slightly dirty. 

 This large number of poor samples is very convincing that 



