DAIRY FARMING DAIRYING. 279 



Reading' the Babcock test, P. H. Smith {Massachusetts Sta. Rpt. 1909, pt. 1, 

 pp. Vf2-147). — Six bottles, having as wide a diversity In size of neck as could 

 be brought together, were used to test variation In methods of reading the 

 test. Pure butter fat was weighed into the bottles, which had been washed 

 out with ether to remove all traces of fat, and enough hot water added to 

 make 18 gm. The bottles were then placed in the Babcock tester and whirled 

 3 times, for 5, 3, and 2 minutes respectively, as for the regular test. The 

 results were as follows: 



" With one exception the readings taken to the top of the upper meniscus 

 were too high, the amount of error being in most cases proportional to the 

 diameter of the bottle neck. Where the readings were taken to the bottom 

 of the upper meniscus the results were much more uniform. In several cases. 

 however, there was considerable variation, due very likely to the difficulty of 

 determining accurately the lowest point of the upper meniscus. 



" The alcohol method, where used, showed more concordant results, espe- 

 cially for the 10 and 30 per cent bottles. The difference between these results 

 and the theoretical test was no greater than might be expected between 

 duplicate tests by the gravimetric method. The tests made in the 50 per cent 

 bottles varied materially, which might reasonably be attributed to the difficulty 

 of reading these bottles accurately on account of the large diameter of the neck." 



Further tests were then made in reading mixtures of butter fat and skim 

 milk. "As in the former trials, reading to the top of the meniscus gave high 

 results, proportional in most cases to the diameter of the graduated neck ; 

 reading to the bottom of the meniscus gave results more nearly corresponding 

 to theory, while the results with the alcohol method were quite uniform and 

 consistent. The high results obtained by attempting to read to the bottom of 

 the meniscus in the case of the three cream bottles was due to the cloudiness 

 of the fat, which made an accurate reading difficult, if not impossible. . . . 

 With our present knowledge, and pending further investigation, the writer 

 would advocate reading the tests made in 10 per cent milk bottles from the 

 bottom to the extreme top of the fat column, including the maniscus, as is now 

 generally practiced ; while for 30 per cent 6-in. Connecticut cream bottles the 

 reading should be taken from the extreme bottom of the fat column to the 

 bottom of the upper meniscus, preferably by the use of alcohol, as described by 

 Eckles or Farrington." 



[Dairy inspection], P. H. Smith {MassachuseMs Sta. Rpt. 1909, pt. 1, pp. 

 63-68). — This is a brief report of the work of the station in testing glassware, 

 inspecting Babcock machines, examining candidates for proficiency in Babcock 

 testing, analyzing milk and drinking water, and testing pure-bred cows. The 

 text of a section of the dairy laws amended by the legislature in 1910 is 

 given, whereby the director of the station is given power to revoke the cer- 

 tificate of an operator of the Babcock test who is not doing satisfactory work. 

 Of 4,071 pieces of glassware examined at the station, 1.06 per cent were found 

 to be inaccurate. 



Directions for testing' milk on the farm, H. E. McNatt (Missouri Sta. Circ. 

 Jfl, pp. 57-60. figs. 8). — Popular directions for using the Babcock test for milk 

 are given. 



Farm butter making', H. M. Bainer (Colorado Sta. Bui. 163, pp. 3-16, figs. 

 8). — This contains detailed directions for making a good quality of butter on 

 the farm under Colorado conditions. 



Creamery butter making, A. G. Shirley (Jour. New Zeal. Dept. Agr., 1 

 (1910), No. 4, pp. 2.'f2-264, figs. 2). — An account of modern methods of making 

 butter in New Zealand creameries. 



