37^ " ] ouriial of Agriculture , Victoria. [ioth June, 19x2. 



Shortly after it came into force some exporters, whose output was wanting 

 in uniformity, with some justification pointed out that when different grades 

 were found in one consignment it was unfair to place the whole parcel in 

 accordance with the lowest one. It was agreed that in such cases shippers 

 should be notified and given an opportunity of separating the chury marks 

 of different grades. It was held that one of the objects of grading and 

 grade stamping was to secure uniformity of quality and encourage the 

 grading of cream in line with the standards recognised under the Commerce 

 Act. It was certainly unreasonable to expect the Department to perform 

 work which should have been done in the factory when the produce was in 

 the cream stage. Already a great step in advance has been achieved under 

 this heading. Factories which previously put all qualities under one 

 brand are now grading their cream and covering each grade with a different 

 brand corresponding in quality with the Government grades. Naturally 

 the outcome will be the adoption of a differential rate of payment for 

 cream, so that the suppliers of best-conditioned cream will not have to carrj 

 on their shoulders the product from careless producers. Payment for 

 cream according to its suitability for making a good or bad butter will have 

 a strong tendency to make all dairymen improve the care and treatment 

 of the milk and cream. 



Churn Marks. 



Unfortunately, makers were left to employ their own system of chum- 

 marking, and at the height of the season the method became most complex 

 and difficult to follow. It was found necessary to issue a circular recom- 

 mending the adoption of a uniform method, and quite a long time elapsed 

 before much headway in that direction was achieved. Towards the end of 

 the season, however, uniformity was reached with the great majority, to the 

 relief of all concerned. It is to be hoped that managers will see the 

 necessity for carefully applying the churn marks in the prescribed place 

 on both ends of the boxes. It will be to the advantage of every one 

 connected with this work if the requirements be fully complied with. In 

 a few instances it was discovered that the same churn mark covered different 

 grades. This result indicated that the application of the mark was either 

 loose or intended to mislead. No points are gained by such a practice, 

 as it is patent that the manufacturer has everything to gain by the applica- 

 tion of identification marks. The graders' reports on each mark enable 

 him to discover weaknesses and promptly apply remedies to eradicate same. 



Brands and Marks. 

 It is becoming more apparent that something will have to be done to 

 distinguish unsalted butters from salted. The consignments reach the 

 Stores bearing the same brand, portion of which is marked " U.S.", indicating 

 unsalted. The Department cannot be expected to separate the " U.S." 

 portion from the rest, and it is taken for granted that the numbers indicated 

 on the advice note under each heading are correct. When shipped, the 

 shipping companies specifically exonerate themselves in the bill of lading 

 from all responsibility regarding sub-marks, and accept the goods here, and 

 deliver them in London under the leading brand alone. Everything comes 

 out all right when the factory engages one agent only, but if the unsalted 

 portion be consigned to one agent and the salted to another, trouble is 

 encountered at every stage. Complaints from London are referred to me 

 for investigation in consequence of firms getting salted butter when they 



