914 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



REPORT OF THE DAIRY EXPERT. 



R. Crowe. 



I have pleasure in submitting a resume of the chief features of 

 last year's work in connection with the dairying industry and the 

 Government Cool Stores. 



In the July number of the Jottrnal appeared an article by me 

 entitled "A few lessons from the })ast butter season," which contained 

 matter that might, perhaps, more appropriately be incorporated in 

 this, the annual report. In that article I mentioned that butter of 

 the approximate value of £1,500,000 was exported. I also pointed 

 out that our having to begin the season with old stored butter, and to 

 re-open business connections, together with the necessity for lower 

 shipping temperatures, accounted for the disadvantages experienced 

 on the London market. Yet, notwithstanding these serious draw- 

 backs, the season cannot be regarded as other than satisfactory. 

 Many of our factories secured averages of 98s. per cwt,, a price 

 higher than the most competent authorities anticipated twelve 

 months ago. 



Quality of Victorian Butter. 



Notwithstanding all that has been said regarding the industry 

 generally, and the quality of Victorian made butter in particular, it 

 should be remembered that at the Islington Show lield by the British 

 Dairy Farmers' Association at the Eoyal Agricultural Hall, London, 

 from the 6th to the 9th October last, Victorian butter gained the 

 whole of the six money prizes and four medals offered for competition 

 in the sections for colonial produce. 



As it came forward for export the butter was in most cases fully up 

 to the standard of previous years, particularly with regard to factories 

 receiving milk direct from the suppliers. There were, however, some 

 exceptions in this class. Factories dealing with cream showed but 

 slight improvement, except in some three instances where it was paid 

 for on a differential basis according to condition at the time of its 

 being brought in, a practice which had the effect of securing more 

 frequent deliveries. Companies which do not differentiate in price 

 have made no headway whatever, nor are they likely to unless they 

 take steps to ensure that their supply shall be delivered in better 

 condition. Even at the risk of being accused of repeating the advice 

 ad natLseam, I must again insist that it is impossible to make good 

 butter from bad cream, and before any improvement can be effected 

 steps must be taken to ensure the delivery of cream in good condition. 



Dairy Inspection. 



Both Messrs. Archer and Carroll report very little headway 

 in regard to dairy inspection, owing to the want of a uniform 

 and compulsory system of working among the different municipalities. 



