100 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



When the quantity of milk is the main object in view, there are certain 

 distinct breeds desired, such as the Holstein, etc.; but when rich milk, that 

 is, milk containing a high percentage of butter-fat is desired, the Jerseys, 

 Guernseys and other equally well-known breeds receive first choice. 



The dairying interests of Pennsylvania are gaining in value at a rapid rate, 

 and many radical changes, as compared with former methods, have taken 

 place during the past few years. The production of milk and its products has 

 become a problem of scientific skill, good judgment and business capacity, 

 and as a result, scientific feeding and the proper stabling and care of the 

 animals is a factor of greater importance than ever before. There are still 

 hundreds at cows upon the farms of Pennsylvania that are a source of con- 

 stant loss to their owners, their yielding capacity being insufficient to pay 

 for their care and keeping. Such farmers should apply the usual milk tests, 

 and they would soon discover the cause of their inability to make a profit. 



ARTIFICIAL, COLORING OF BUTTER. 



The! artificial coloring of butter continues, and so far as is known, is per- 

 mitted in every state in the Union. The experiments made in certain Western 

 States to prohibit such artificial coloring did not meet with any degree of 

 success, ,and in at least one instance, interefered with the dairy industry of 

 a state to an alarming extent; in fact, had not the prohibitory color-clause 

 been rescinded, all of the dairying industry so far as butter was concerned, 

 would have been diverted to adjoining states where more liberal legislation 

 was prevalent. It might be said in all truth and candor, however, that the 

 principles underlyin'g and governing legislation regarding coloring matter in 

 foods in general have not been ordinarily applied to the coloring of butter. 



Dairymen, provision merchants and others have applied for information re- 

 garding the legality of the use of butter colors, and the invariable reply is to 

 the effect that there is no law on our statutes denying the right to use harm- 

 less or purely vegetable colors in the manufacture of butter. Where positively 

 poisonous materials are found in dairy products, whether in butter, cream, 

 cheese or milk, prosecutions would be proper and brought without any hesita- 

 tion. The close observer in the markets of Philadelphia, New York and other 

 large cities will note that there is a decided tendency to prepare the best 

 grades of butter with a lighter tint and a more natural color than heretofore. 

 The so-called "rich, golden yellow color" is no longer desired nor in vogue 

 with those controlling the best trade. Several proposed acts to regulate the 

 coloring of butter were introduced in the Legislature, but failed of final 

 passage. 



CATTLE FEEDING STUFFS ANALYZED. 



One of the mediums intended to foster and encourage dairying in Penn- 

 sylvania was the enactment and approval of a law providing for the regula- 

 tion of the manufacture and sale of commercial cattle feeding stuffs. The act 

 in question is under the jurisdiction of the Honorable Secretary of Agriculture, 

 and its worth has already been clearly proven to the people of the Common- 

 wealth in many directions. The old practice of selling adulterated feed has 

 been abolished, and as a rule, the farmer and dairyman receives proportion- 

 ately greater value for his money than ever before, wliile the live-stock fed 

 upon such feed is correspondingly protected and benefitted. Samples of feed- 

 ing stuffs are analyzed at a nominal cost of one dollar. 



Hundreds of dealers and dairymen have applied to this Bureau for informa- 

 tion relating to this subject, but their inquiries were referred to the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture where the same received the most careful and prompt at- 

 tention. 



A special bulletin showing the results of such investigations was issued by 

 the Department for the information of all concerned. It is plainly evident 

 that the composition of certain brands of cattle feeding stuffs has been ma- 

 terially changed and improved, and that the old era of adulteration with 

 foreign and worthless ingredients has passed. 



Tlie act nrnvides a penalty for violation of its provisions, and consequently 

 a large number of prosecutions were ordered by the Secretary of Agriculture 

 and conducted to a proper legal termination. The results of such prosecutions 

 are most salutary, and local dealers in feeding stuffs are now using greater 

 preen iit:o'i<:^ to ppr-ppe the peralties for handling adulterated or illegal brands. 

 The law is of much value to all engaged in a legitimate business, while those 

 who were accustomed to imposing upon the public have been halted and 

 brought to judgment. 



CLEAN AND WHOLESOME FOOD FOR COWS. 



One of the many dairy subjects brought to the attention of the Dairy and 

 Food authorities is the alleged feeding of swill to cows producing milk for 

 public consumption. In rt number of states, the laws covering this question 

 are drastic, and absolutely forbid the feeding of any eow kept for the pro- 

 duction of milk on swill or any substance in a state of putrefaction or rotten- 

 ness; or on any substance of an unwholesome nature, or on any food or sub- 

 stance that may produce diseased or unwholesome milk. 



