396 Journal of Agri cult arc. [8 July, 1907. 



sav pastry butter usually sells at 2|d. below top prices for choicest. In 

 a recent controversy some of the critics implied that the line between 

 pastry and that fit for table use should be drawn at 90 points, but I 

 pointed out that it was immaterial whether the line was drawn at 75 

 points as provided in the Commerce Regulations, 90 as suggested by some, 

 or at the unit, one point. In the last-mentioned proposal " Second class " 

 butter would be covered by a range from i to 50, " First class " from 

 51 to 80, and the " First class superfine " from 81 to 100. Again, on 

 the other hand if 90 points were the minimum then 90 to 94 would cover 

 the " Second class," 95 to 98 the " First," and 99 to 100 " First class 

 superfine " ; but graders would in that event be obliged to use decimal 

 points. The recent conference of dairy experts recommended that the 

 first class minimum should be 88 instead of 86 points from the ist July 

 next. It is intended to further raise it to 90 points at the earliest 

 opportunity. I have no hesitation in attributing the substantial improve- 

 ment in quality tb grading. Grading is carried out by the Government 

 chieflv, indeed almost wholly, for educational purposes. It is recognised 

 that if the quality be improved higher prices will be commanded. It is 

 estimated that nearly ;^5oo,ooo worth of business was done on the basis 

 of grade certificates. As the Department has done nothing to encourage 

 the use of certificates for buying or selling purposes, that it has been 

 voluntarily availed of to such an extent is evidence of its value, even in the 

 trading or subsidiary aspect. 



Composition of Butter. 



The average percentage of moisture of all the samples analyzed during 

 the season was 13.925 per cent., an increase over last year's which was 

 13-725. The districts compare as follows: — North and North-Eastern 

 14.122; Gippsland, 13.955; Western 13.818; and City 13.885. The 

 quantity intercepted from shipment on account of containing more than 

 16 per cent, moisture amounted to 12 tons as compared with 5 tons for 

 the season 1905-6. In connexion with this question I may quote the 

 following extract from The Illustrated Western Weekly N eivs of England, 

 dated 23rd iNIarch 1907 : — 



"BUTTER ADULTE'RATION. TAUNTON FIRM HEAVILY FINED. 

 At Bath, on Wednesday, I. J. Wright and Co. Butter Factors, Taunton, were 

 summoned for having sold, to the prejudice of the i)urchaser butter which con- 

 tained 16.4 per cent, of water, and which was in course of delivery to the Bath 

 Co-operative Society. The proceedings were instituted by the Sanitary Committee, 

 for whom the town clerk appeared. Mr. C. P. Clarke, of Taunton, was the de- 

 fending solicitor. The case had been adjourned on several occasions and a fort- 

 night ago the adjournment was granted in order that an official from Somerset 

 House could attend to support the Government analysis. A sample of butter 

 having been submitted the analyst of the Government authorities and their cer- 

 tificate put the water at 15.82. Mr. Gatehouse, Bath city analyst, said the varia- 

 tion between 16.4 which he certified and 15.82 was due to the natural evaporation 

 of the water between the time of his analysis and the further analysis. His evi- 

 dence was borne out by Mr. G. Stubbs of the Government Laboratory, London. 

 The magistrate imposed a fine of ^50 and costs amounting to ^8 6s." 



The average boric acid contents were .252 per cent. North-East 

 butters show an average of .245, Gippsland .190, Western .32, and City 

 .253. Ten tons were stopped for containing more than .5 per cent, 

 boric acid as compared with 28 tons for the season 1905-6. One hundred 

 and eighty-five tons were stopped on account of short weight as against 



