88 AN AGRICULTURAL FAGGOT. 



especially interesting to know is whether these 51,000 

 tons were sold over the counter to consumers at this 

 reduction. There is good reason to believe that a 

 large part of it was sold, not at a price 40 or 50 per 

 cent, below British meat, but at the same price and under 

 the same name. This is a strong charge, but the evidence 

 in support of it — though entirely circumstantial — is 

 practically overwhelming. 



Another instance of a frequent fraud upon producers, 

 consumers, and honest traders alike, is the sale of 

 margarine, or " blends," as butter. The continued 

 existence of this practice forms one of the disappointments 

 of legislation. It is not, perhaps, singular in this respect, 

 for the farmer has had more than one warning against 

 putting his trust in Acts of Parliament. But it is certainly 

 discouraging to find that, notwithstanding the existence 

 of at least two distinct statutes prohibiting it under 

 penalties, the ingenious industry of butter adulteration 

 goes on almost as busily as ever. There are three main 

 reasons for the practical failure of the law. One is the 

 laxity and indifference of those who have been charged 

 with its administration, another is the clever adaptability 

 of those whose interest it is to evade it, and the third 

 is the lack of any deterrent effect in the penalties imposed 

 on those who break it. 



There are three categories, under one of which the 

 middleman's profits may fall. They may be : (1) fair, 

 (2) exorbitant, or (3) fraudulent. As regards the first 

 we have nothing to say. Granting, as we must do, 

 the necessary continuance of the middleman, it follows 

 that he is entitled to a fair and reasonable remu- 

 neration for his work and skill. As regards exorbi- 

 tant profits, it must at once be admitted that they have 

 in the nature of things a tendency to be decreased by 

 competition. If in any business excessive profits are 

 being made, there will be a natural tendency among 

 persons outside it to take it up. But the potency of 



