918 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



coining" season's requiremcaits at a higher price than they have paid 

 for many years past. When in New Zealand recently I made inquiries 

 as to the supply of timber suitable for boxes and the most reliable 

 authorities there assured me that there was at least sufficient for the 

 demands of the next 30 years. However prices must inevitably rise 

 because the sources of supplies are becoming less and less accessible. 

 It is stated that immense forests of suitable timber exist in Queens- 

 land but so far little has been done to vitilise them. I am told that 

 even butter factories on the fringe of this supply do not avail them- 

 selves of it. It may be possible to eliminate both gum and sap from 

 some of our own hardwoods and make them serve the pui'pose. 

 In this direction lies a field for experiment. 



Paraffining Boxes. 



A number of experiments were made during the year in paraffining 

 the inside of boxes. 



The New Zealand white pine is the most suitable wood available 

 for butter boxes, but much of it has a strong sappy odor especially 

 when wet. A little steaming when cleaning discloses the extent to 

 which this woody flavor is present. When any butter comes in con- 

 tact with such a box, it tastes quite woody, and in bad cases, the 

 taint is imparted even through the paper. 



Coating or lining with paraffin wax, which is both neutral and 

 impervious overcomes the difficulty. The wax does not affect the 

 flavor of the butter in any way, and the method of application is 

 simple. 



A series of galvanised iron boxes, each about 11 inches cube, are 

 provided through which exhaust steam from the engine passes. 

 About eight of these iron boxes are necessary to expeditiously heat 

 the butter boxes sufficiently to properly apply the paraffin. The 

 butter boxes are inverted over the steam boxes for heating. Although 

 the paraffin wax melts at a temperature of 130 degrees it is necessary 

 to have it at 200 degrees, then it is limpid enough to be applied with 

 a brush to the inside of the box which has been previously heated. It 

 cannot be laid satisfactorily on a cold surface. This paraffining stops 

 the absorption of moistxare from the butter by the wood, whilst, on 

 the other hand, it prevents the wood from tainting the butter. The 

 cost of treatment is about Id. per box, and as less surplus in weight 

 of butter is necessary a net saving accrues. Pure refined paraffin 

 only should be used and any which contains even a trace of kerosen,e 

 should be rejected. The system is coming rapidly into vogue in 

 New Zealand and should be adopted by all factories here. 



The Royal Commission. 



During the year disclosures came to light in reference to secret 

 commissions, and the evidence so far adduced shows that the Honor- 

 able the Premier was fully warranted in appointing a Royal Commis- 

 sion to inquire into all matters pertaining to the butter industry. It 



