THIRTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X 547 



been sold within this state. We believe some rigid legislation should 

 be enacted regulating the sale of this product. Numerous cases have 

 been called to our attention where persons representing themselves to 

 be farmers have procured this butter in large quantities and after re- 

 packing it in jars or other containers offered the same as country but- 

 ter and many persons have purchased this product through such mis- 

 representation who could not be induced to use it were its true character 

 known. We believe this product should be sold under some such label- 

 ing requirements as are provided for the sale of oleomargarine and 

 severe penalties should be attached for the sale of renovated butter 

 as country butter or in any other manner than that prescribed by the 

 statute. 



OLEOMARGARINE. 



We have been unable to obtain accurate figures showing the sales 

 of oleomargarine in the state of Iowa but we find that the number of 

 dealers in this product has increased from 1,623 in 1910 to 2,182 for 

 the year ending June SO, 1912. It is reasonable to suppose that the 

 consumption of oleomargarine has increased at practically the same 

 late as have the sales of licenses to dealers. This department made 

 but one successful prosecution during the pfist twelve months for viola- 

 tion of the oleomargarine law and this was for the sale of a product 

 having yellow color in imitation of butter. The present oleomargarine 

 law pppears to be very satisfactory and dealers generally show a dis- 

 position to comply with the law. 



CHEESE. 



This derartment has received annual reports from seven cheese fac- 

 tories and the output of cheese is given as 346,456 pounds for the 

 entire state. This shows an increase of 12 2,032 pounds over last year 

 but this is only a small percentage of the amount consumed in this 

 state. While the production of cheese in Iowa nay never prove to be 

 of great importance, we think the state should supply the home de- 

 mand for cheese and we have reason to hope that this industry will 

 receive enough attention from persons interested in the manufacture of 

 cheese to enable them to at least meet the requirements of our own 

 population. 



GENERAL REVIEW OF THE BUTTER MARKET. 



The market quotations for the best grades of table butter have shown 

 a higher average during the past year than at any time since 1882, 

 the average for the twelve months ending October 1, 1912, being 31.21 

 cents per pound for extra creamery. The average for the previous 

 year was 2 6.09 cents but the comparison is hardly on an aqual basis 

 as the latter figure is based on the second grade quoted on the New 

 York market while the first figure given is on this basis until May 13th 

 when the specials class was abolished and the highest quotation was 

 changed to extra grade. The difference between these two grades has 

 been on the average about one-half cent per pound, hence the average 



