27(5 



ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1912 OF THE 

 CONSULTING CHEMIST. 



The number of samples analysed during the year was much 

 about the same as in 1911, being 437 as against 439 then. To 

 this must be added 36 samples of cider and perry analysed in 

 connection with the Society's Country Show at Doncaster. In 

 consequence of the cancelling of the cattle classes at Doncaster 

 there were, however, no samples of milk taken for analysis. 



There have not been any striking features marking the 

 year. The general rise in the price of feeding materials, noted 

 in 1911, has continued, and both linseed cake and cotton cake 

 have been very dear indeed. This, along with a very uncertain 

 trade in stock, has caused many to reduce the extent to which 

 they have been accustomed to use these staple foods, and to 

 simultaneously increase the trade in compound feeding cakes. 

 Of these latter there are many different " makes " on the 

 market, and very variable in character — some distinctly good, 

 some medium, and many far from satisfactory. I have 

 frequently pointed out that the figures of an analysis alone do 

 not indicate whether a compound cake be made from good and 

 suitable materials, or even if it be in good condition. It is 

 much more important, indeed, to know what a cake is made of, 

 and microscopical examination alone can reveal this. 



An instance of the great rise in price of feeding materials 

 is afforded by the case of rice meal, which, a few years ago, 

 cost only 4Z. 10s. or 4/. 15s. a ton, but now has risen to (')?. 10s. 

 or GZ. 15s. a ton. 



Only a few new materials have come to the front lately — 

 one of these, and which, I find, is now much used in the 

 manufacture of compound cakes, is Kapok seed, the seed of 

 a tree sometimes known as the " White Silk-cotton Tree " 

 {Eriodendron anfractuosum), and which growls in Java and 

 throughout India. From the fruit a fibre, or, rather, " floss," 

 is obtained, and the seeds yield an oil somewhat resembling 

 cotton-seed oil, the residual matter, after expression of the oil, 

 being utilised as cattle-food. I cannot say that I know any- 

 thing definite against the use of this material, and yet I must 

 add that I have come across not- a few cases where harm is 

 stated to have been produced in stock, and in which I have 

 found Kapok seed to be present in compound cakes in con- 

 siderable amount. 



Another material which continues to be largely used in 

 compound cakes is rape-seed, or, more commonly, rape-refuse. 

 I have frequently stated my objections to the use of this 

 material, and I had again this year occasion to investigate a 

 case where rape-seed had been used in a compound cake, and 



