98 ANNUAL EEPOETS OF DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



The work of taking samples and indorsing permits for the delivery 

 of milk in certain Government buildings in Washington, D. C, has 

 been continued. Five dairies now hold such permits. Where dairies 

 hold permits a monthly inspection and a weekly bacterial count are 

 made. During the year 38 inspections were made and 236 samples 

 were taken for bacterial count. 



MILK CONTESTS. 



Fifteen milk contests have been held in 14 cities. The number of 

 contests and the number of samples scored are about twice as large 

 as those of the preceding year. These milk contests have given op- 

 portunity for a wide range of observations as to the fat content of 

 milk. In 1,810 samples of milk the average fat content was 4.34 per 

 cent. 



CONDITIONS OF MILK PRODUCTION. 



A study of the solubility of manure in milk and the amount of 

 manure that is removed by different methods of straining is being 

 made. Microphotographs have been made of cheese-cloth and wire 

 strainers, showing the impossibility of straining out bacteria and 

 much of the finer dirt. 



Investigations are being made into the cost of milk production. 

 Forms for this w^ork have been prepared and given a trial in Mary- 

 land. Cooperative agreements for the same purpose have been signed 

 with the North Carolina experiment station and the extension de- 

 partment of Purdue University, Indiana. 



Experiments with regard to the flavor of milk as affected by feeds 

 have been made at the Beltsville farm. The experiment with high 

 and low protein feeds was inconclusive. No difference was noted in 

 the effect of wet and dry beet pulps. Between beet pulp and ordinary 

 grain feed there was the difference that the milk from beet pulp 

 tasted better than the other when fresh, but after being held five 

 days had a pronounced, abnormal, brown-paper flavor. Milk from 

 fish meal, on the other hand, had an abnormal flavor when fresh, but 

 was preferred by the judges after it was five days old. 



DAIRY MANUFACTURING INVESTIGATIONS. 



The work relating to dairy manufacturing, in charge of Mr. S. C. 

 Thompson, includes creamery management and demonstrations, 

 cheese-factory investigations, the development and improvement of 

 farm-butter production, the inspection of renovated butter and of the 

 factories producing it, and the supervision of butter for the Navy. 



CREAMERY OPERATIONS. 



Monthly and annual reports from the creameries are carefully ex- 

 amined, and suggestions based on the annual reports were this year 

 made in a personal letter to each secretary instead of in a circular 

 letter. A monthly circular letter to creameries has been the occasion 

 of many improvements. In addition a circular letter for distribution 

 to patrons, sent to the reporting creameries desiring it, has reached a 

 circulation of 14,000 a month. 



