394 



Journal of Agriculture. 



[8 July, 1907. 



level and average about 5,000,000 lbs. whilst the inter-state trade, 

 which showed a decline during the first two years, is reviving and has 

 doubled within the last three years. It is not generally recognised that 

 Victoria has a regular export trade to destinations other than Great Britain 

 ivhich amounted last season to 5,62s tons, equalling more than the whole 

 of Queensland's shipments to the United Kingdom even during her pre- 

 sent most prosperous season. Some idea of the ramifications of the trade 

 may be gained from the fact that 540 complete shipments were made from 

 Victoria during the last twelve months of which 212 were to the United 

 Kingdom and other oversea ports and 328 inter-state. 



Quality of Butter. 



It is most pleasing to have to record a distinct improvement in the 

 qualit\ of Victorian butter for the season as compared with either, the 

 last or the year before. The highest average score was 98.36 points 

 against 97.98 for 1905-6 and 97.64 for 1904-5. Twelve factories .scored 

 over 97 points as against nine factories last season and six for 1904-5. 

 One hundred and fifty -five scored an average of over 90 points against 

 132 for 1905-6 and 116 for 1904-5. During the month of October last, 

 over 40 per cent, of the butter shipped to Great Britain was unsalted and 

 the proportion for the whole of the season amounted to nearly 34 per 

 cent. For the first time weekly statements which were highly appreciated 

 l)y the trade were published by the Department showing the proportion 

 of salted and unsalted, so that the quantitv of unsalted might be regulated. 



Prices. 



The prices realized on the London market were not as high as for the 

 preceding season. Although the highest touched 122s. per cwt. the great 

 bulk brought about loos. The best average so far available was 104s. 9d. 

 therefore we are rather below the mark in fixing it at loos. 



Commerce Regulations and Grading. 



The Commerce Regulations came into operation on the ist Occober 

 1906 and the consequent stupendous re-organization they entailed, nearly 

 every brand in use having to be remodelled, has been effected with a 

 minimum of friction. Although grading is optional, the classification, and 

 the issue of grade certificates have become so popular that less than i 

 per cent, of the butter shipped since the coming into operation of the 

 Act has been unclassified. Almost all the shippers have taken advantage 

 of the voluntarv classification svstem and have had their butter graded 

 and branded with the grade certification number ; in addition over 30 per 

 cent, of the exporters have had their butter grade-stamped with the words 



