48 ANNUAL KliPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



of the score-card system of inspection is producing good results. 

 During the year 620 inspections were made in 24 States, these inspec- 

 tions always being made in company with the local health officer or 

 «me of his assistants. Nine competitive milk and cream contests were 

 participated in by the bureau. The milk supply of several of the 

 Government departments is being supervised, and a special investi- 

 gation of the milk supply in the vicinity of Boston, Mass., has been 

 under way for several months. 



DAIRY MANUFACTURES. 



Assistance has been rendered to creameries as heretofore by fur- 

 nishing information and advice regarding creamery operations. 

 Periodical reports are received from about 1,300 creameries in various 

 parts of the country, and these enable the bureau to point out defects 

 in operation, so that losses may be overcome, the quality of the product 

 improved, by-products utilized economically, and waste avoided. 

 Field men are located in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, California, 

 and Texas, and personal attention is given to such cases as seem to 

 require it. During the year 74 creameries were visited by these men. 



The market inspection of butter indicates that a large quantity of 

 Jow-grade butter is still being manufactured. Of 2,161 shipments 

 inspected from creameries in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, only 

 277, or 13 per cent, graded "extra." The department endeavors to 

 point out how improvement can be effected. 



The department also aids in the organization of new creameries by 

 furnishing articles of agreement, lists of machinery, etc., but care is 

 exercised to give this assistance only in those localities where cream- 

 eries are likely to succeed. 



An investigation into the most practicable method of harvesting 

 and storing natural ice was undertaken because a large number of 

 dairymen who might avail themselves of such ice at little cost at 

 present do not use any at all. The lack of ice is responsible for a 

 large amount of bad cream received at creameries, as well as for 

 much of the inferior milk delivered in cities. 



The manufacture of renovated butter was supervised during the 

 year, in accordance with law^, at 38 factories in 13 States. The total 

 quantity produced was 41,115,058 pounds, of which 118,990 pounds 

 was exported. 



DAIRY RESEARCH LABORATORIES. 



The dairy research laboratories were engaged during the year 

 upon various technical problems connected with milk, butter, and 

 cheese. Work on milk and butter is carried on at the central labora- 

 tory in Washington and the field laboratory at Troy, Pa. Chemi- 



