916 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



lation, a circular was sent to all shippers informing tliem tliat it would 

 be done wlierever it was desired. Twenty-two factories applied to 

 have their consignments graded and stamped prior to shipment. This 

 was done, and certificates sent to the companies weekly showing the 

 residt, many factories expressing themselves as highly pleased with 

 the value of these detailed reports and all requesting that the grading 

 should be continued. In a few instances, however, the object of the 

 grading appeai'ed to be misunderstood, it being thought that higher 

 prices would be secured for the butter in consequence of its having 

 the grade stamp on the boxes. This of course is too much to expect 

 straight away. In the course of time when buyers become acquainted 

 with its meaning they will recognise the advantage by giving higher 

 prices. The primary object is to divide the butter into recognised 

 standards according to quality and to immediately furnish managers 

 and directors of factories with an inde])endent statement indicating 

 the relative grade to which each of their consignments had attained. 

 For instance, if a slight falling olf in quality were noticed they could 

 then at once ascertain the cause and institute remedial measures. To 

 send reports, without stamping the butter accordingly, would not 

 fully meet the requirements of the case as the difference between a 

 butter scoring 94 and that receiving 93 points would not so forcibly 

 stimulate the makers into action as would an additional intimation 

 that their butter had been branded second instead of first grade. The 

 allotment of jDoints fulfils the instructional function of grading, but 

 the branding is the lever which compels prompt action towards 

 improvement. In the absence of this clinching demonstration a 

 falling off is only realised when the season is far advanced and prices 

 and reports begin to arrive from Jjondon. It may be pointed out 

 that considerable risk is run by the officers of the Department 

 through the adoption of voluntary grading, because some of the best 

 factories have not yet asked for the system to be applied. The first 

 grade stamp embraces butters varying in price to the extent of nearly 

 Id. per lb. so that it Avill be seen that good sound butters are included 

 in the same classification as the choicest — a fairly wide range — some 

 of the good sound brands being graded, whilst a few of the choicest 

 are still being shipped as " Approved for Export " only. Therefore, 

 in the face of a comparison being made at the *London end between 

 two brands, one bearing the stamp " iVpproved for Export" only, the 

 Department runs the risk of having the judgment of its experts 

 ridiculed, so that it is to some extent doubtful whether voluntary 

 grading will affect the object aimed at. At any rate, it appears as if 

 much good cannot be achieved until the majority of our factories 

 request that their output should be graded. The reference made else- 

 where to the good which has attended the compulsory system of 

 grading adopted in New Zealand will fully indicate the desirability of 

 its introduction here. 



Sterilised Water. 



During the past season 29 samples of water were received from 

 butter factories for bacterial examination and nine for chemical 



