BUTTER SCORING 461 



is seldom a reliable index to the quality of the butter when it is 

 one or two weeks old. Most butter when perfectly fresh is 

 palatable. Serious defects generally develop and "show up" 

 with age. 



The Score Card. The national score card adopted and used 

 by the officials and butter men in all parts of the country is that 

 contained in the rulings of the New York Mercantile Exchange 

 and quoted in the chapter on "Markets and Marketing." 



Valuation of Butter Defects. The prices paid for butter 

 sold on the open market, are based fundamentally on the estab- 

 lished classes of market grades, the chief of which are: "Extras," 

 "Firsts," "Seconds" and "Thirds," and in commercial scoring 

 the deductions for defects are generally so made as to place the 

 butter into its respective grade. The exact scores for each 

 grade vary somewhat with the condition of the market and the 

 season of the year as determined by the Butter Committee of 

 the Exchange. Thus the New York Mercantile Exchange rules 

 provide that extras may score either 91, 92 or 93 points, as 

 the minimum, at the discretion of the Butter Committee, who 

 shall determine the required score from time to time in such 

 manner that it shall represent an average fancy quality in the 

 season when offered. But butter scoring more than required 

 for "Extras" shall be deliverable on a contract for "Extras," 

 etc. See rules of New York Mercantile Exchange. 



The minimum scores, for the several grades are as follows, 

 with Extras at 91, 92 or 93 points: 



Extras at 91 92 93 



Firsts ...87 88 89 



Seconds 82 83 84 



Thirds 75 76 77 



In discussing the figure valuation of butter defects it will be 

 assumed here that "Extras" require a minimum score of 92 

 points. 



"Extras." In order for butter to score "Extras," it must 

 have a clean and pleasant flavor and aroma and it must be free 

 from, any undesirable off-flavors. Its color, salt and body 

 must be perfect. Such butter would merit a flavor score of 37 and 

 a total score of 92. Butter with a specially delicate flavor and 



