43^ 



Journal of Agriculture. 



[8 July, 1908. 



think renewals would be more extensive than usual at the Ijeginning of the 

 season. However, I need not dw^ell on this matter, as covering goods with 

 an incorrect trade description is now listed as an offence. Any one offending 

 in future will be delalt with under the provisions of the Commerce Act. 

 The quantity held up last year, sample boxes of which were found short 

 in weight, totalled 271 tons, or 2.24 per cent, of the whole, as compared 

 with the previous season 185 tons, or i.o8 per cent., and 133 tons, or 

 0.87 per cent, for 1905-6. The fines imposed so far, have been only 

 nominal, but if they be not found deterrent doubtless the Minister of 

 Customs will increase the penalty, for he has the power to confiscate the 

 goods if necessary. To make the excuse of faulty scales, is like a man 

 seeking to condone an offence by pleading drunkenness. 



With a view to definitely finding out the margin that should be allowed 

 in butter for export, so that the weights would turn out correctly on 

 reaching London, a large number of consignments was carefuUv weighed 

 and marked 'prior to freezing and shipment^ and the Agent-General was 

 asked to have the weights carefullv checked on their arrival. 

 Unfortunately some parcels miscarried. However, the weights of half a 

 dozen lots were checked with the following result: — 



The moisture contents of these particular parcels were not checked ; 

 the percentages inserted therefore only show the average of the brands 

 selected. From this table it will be seen that, to be on the safe side, 

 a margin of eight ounces at least should be provided. The results 

 regarding the first and last shipments are peculiar, and it is guite possible 

 an error ma\- have crept in at some stage between here and the other end. 



Moisture Contents. 

 The average moiscure contents of all samples analyzed for the season 

 came out at 13.44 per cent, against r3.925 per cent, for the previous 

 season, and 13.725 per cent, for the year before. The districts compare 

 as follows : — 



13.32 per cent. 



14.08 per cent. 



1.3-45 rer cent. 



14.63 per cent. 



13.51 per cent. 



13.69 per cent. 



13.08 per cent. 



Gippsland Co-operative Factories showed an average of 0.22 per cent. 

 Gippsland Private Factories showed an average of 0.17 per cent. 

 City Factories showed an average of 0.14 per cent. 



Boric Acid. 

 It is somewhat refreshing to record the great diminution in the instances 

 in which an excess of boric acid was found. The quantity stopped on 



Western Co-operative Factories 



Private Factories 

 A', and N. Eastern Co-operative Factories 



,. ,, Private Factories 



Gippsland Co-operative Factories 



,, Private Factories 



City Factories 



