Chemical Ats^alyses op Agricultural Materials. 



Bottles. — The sample bottles should contain about I pint of milk 

 or cream. They must be thoroughly cleaned, and each sample must 

 be labelled with the name of the owner; if it is taken from the mixed 

 milk of a herd it must be marked " mixed." In the case of samples 

 of individual cows each sample must, in addition to giving the name 

 of the owner, be marked with the name, number, or other identifica- 

 tion mark of the particular cow. Particulars of the breed of the cow 

 or herd must also be stated. If in the case of samples of mixed milk 

 the animals are not all pure bred, the particulars should be given as 

 " cross-bred " or " mixed breeding." Labels will be supplied on. 

 application. Care should be taken to have the bottles well corked 

 and sealed before dispatch. 



Preservatices.—To each sample bottle of milk should be added 

 four to six drops of formalin (not more) and to each cream sample 

 five grains of powered potassium bichromate, or just as much as can 

 be carried on a threepenny piece. 



In offering these facilities it is desired to place farmers in the 

 position of being able to determine the butter-fat content of the milk 

 of their herds and the percentage of butter-fat in the cream, to check 

 the working of the separator by testing samples of the separated milk, 

 and, lastly, to encourage the keeping of milk and butter-fat records. 

 In the latter instance, samples should be submitted at regular 

 intervals, either fortnightly or monthly. For any further particulars 

 or information inquiries should be addressed to the Principals of the 

 Agricultural Schools or the Superintendent of Dairying. 



The result of these tests may only be used by the owner of the 

 samples for his private purposes, and must not be made use of in the 

 case of any dispute or legal action between contracting parties. 



Sending of Samples. 



Ordmarv materials, manures, feeding stuffs, etc., should be sent 

 in a tin or glass fruit jar (suitably packed to prevent breakage) with 

 closely fitting lid. Liquid samples must be sent in bottles, which will 

 be provided on application. 



Soils- 

 Apply for special foini. 



Regulations and Tariff- 

 Particulars were pul>lislied in last month's issue of the Journal. 



