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the Farmer an opportunity of testing the value of his milk for the 

 nominal sum of sixpence a sample : — 



TESTS FOR FARMERS' MILK. 



" It is a well known fact that in the vast majority of cases the 

 milk given by the cows of this country exceeds in butter-fat and 

 other milk solids the percentage specified in the " Sale of Milk Regu- 

 lations, 1901." made by the Board of Agriculture. It happens, 

 however, occasionally, that for one reason or another a cow may give 

 milk which does not contain those percentages (3 per cent, of butter- 

 tat and 8*5 per cent, of other milk solids) : and in such cases the 

 dairyman, when prosecuted, is required to prove that the milk is 

 genuine. In order to avoid the trouble and annoyance of a prosecu- 

 tion, farmers, dairymen, and all other cowkeepers are strongly 

 recommended to have samples of the milk of their cows tested from 

 time to time. By this means they will be able to watch the seasonal 

 and other variations in the fat contents of the milk, and by modifica- 

 tions in the feeding, housing, or time of milking of their cows, and, 

 if necessary, by disposing of animals that give milk of low quality, 

 to keep the quality of their milk at a satisfactory level. 



" The Board have ascertained that, with the object of assisting 

 farmers in the direction indicated, most of the Agricultural Colleges 

 and Agricultural Departments of the Universities have made arrange- 

 ments for determining the percentage of butter-fat for a fee of 

 sixpence per sample. A list of these institutions is given on p. 3. 



" It must, however, be understood that : — 



" a. The report sent will refer only to the percentage of butter-fat. 



" b. Each report refers only to the sample tested, and implies no 

 guarantee whatever as to the bulk. 



"c. Each report is supplied solely for the information of the milk 

 producer, and must not be used as evidence in case of any dispute 

 between seller and buyer, or where the quality has been questioned 

 by any public authority. 



" The directions issued by the institutions must be carefully 

 observed. They require, as a rule, that : — 



" 1. The fee of sixpence should be sent with the sample. In the 

 case of Essex, however, the fee charged by the country is one shil- 

 ling ; while no charge is made by the West of Scotland Agricultural 

 •College to farmers residing in the countries contributing to the 

 support of that body. 



" 2. A stamped and addressed envelope should be sent for the 

 report. 



" 3. Samples should not be sent so as to arrive between Friday 

 night and Monday morning. 



" 4. If it is proposed to send samples periodically, as may be in 

 many cases advisable, the institution should be so informed. 



" 5. The sample bottles should be carefully sealed and packed 

 in accordance with the requirements of the General Post Office, and 

 the postage prepaid. 



