428 Journal of Agriculture . Victoria. [10 July, 191 i. 



and fastening them in the centre with a tag or seal containing a neat 

 emblem. That this would convey an impression of extreme care and dainti- 

 ness on the part of the maker and packer is obvious. 



Judging by the finish and the brands, the rollers used in a number of 

 factories have passed their period of usefulness and should be immediately 

 replaced. 



Moulds on Butter. 



Tovi^ards the latter end of the season, moulds on the surface of the 

 butter became frequent, and this was attributed to the use of unseasoned 

 timber. Box manufacturers did not anticipate such a phenomenal season 

 and had to secure unseasoned timber. Under such circumstances, however, 

 managers should have paraffined their boxes before use. 



In every case that came under notice, factories were immediately com- 

 municated with, and a leaflet on the cause of moulds on butter forwarded. 

 The necessary precautions were indicated, whether the origin was due to 

 carelessness with the butter paper or green w'ood. 



Boric Acid. 

 The average boric acid contents of samples analysed (exclusive of those 

 tested for freedom from boric acid) were 0.196. The figures for the pre- 

 ceding years were 0.18 per cent., 0.17 per cent., and 0.23 per cent, 

 respectively. Nine consignments, representing 194 boxes and containing 

 more than 0.5 per cent., were withheld from shipment, until the percentage 

 was reduced. The number of boxes so held up during the preceding year 

 was 388. These contraventions were certainly due to laxity. Every butter 

 maker can control boric acid contents l)y carefully estimating and weighing 

 the quota to be added to his butter. If measured by rough and ready 

 means risk is inevitable. Even distribution is required to avoid portions 

 of the churning being overloaded. 



Butter Fat. 



The average percentage of butter-fat and casein combined was not 

 taken out in the usual way, and only samples the other analysis of which 

 indicated low standards were tested. The average for the preceding years 

 respectively was 83.71 and 84.65 per cent. There w^ere 45 contraventions 

 representing 1,697 boxes. This butter was prevented shipment until its 

 composition had been amended. The average casein contents are about 

 0.75 per cent. 



Short Weight. 



Sixty-two consignments representing 3,276 boxes were intercepted from 

 shipment on account of short weight. By checking these packages 2,329 

 were passed as correct and released, the remaining 947 boxes having had 

 their contents amended under supervision before export. 610 boxes were 

 found short in weight for the previous year out of consignments repre- 

 senting 2,100 boxes. 



In future it will be necessary for boxes which are marked " 56 lbs.," 

 r^r "56 lbs. net,"' to contain not less than 565: lbs. of butter exclusive of 

 the paper, at the place and time of official checking. Any boxes containing 

 between 56 lbs. and ■^6\ lbs. will require to be branded " Bare weight." 



Moisture Contents. 

 One hundred ami fi\e consignments representing 3,857 lx)xes were dis- 

 covered with butter having over 16 per cent, moisture. These do not 

 include the number held temporarilv. and subsequently released as the 



