6 P.D. 123 



these farms do not pass inspection on first visit, due to one or more of several reasons, 

 such as, lack of proper facilities for the production of a clean, wholesome supply of 

 milk consistently throughout the year ; or certain other things, such as, poor stable 

 floors, windows lacking in stable or milk room, cooling tank or the like in need of re- 

 pairing, prior to approval, etc. Thus it is necessary to make reinspection on such 

 farms. Should the second inspection reveal a lack of definite cooperation on the part of 

 the dairyman, or a still unpassable place, a hearing is called by the director with these 

 dilatory individuals, and instructions are given relative to causing conditions on these 

 farms to be made satisfactory. Such a process has resulted in the following record for 

 the past year : 



Number of farms inspected _ „... 13,879 



Number of reinspections - - 4,366 



Hearings _ ~ 1,191 



Miles traveled in course of inspection „ _ 216,000 



Other farms inspected by local inspectors — (Approx.) „ 18,000 



Biitterfat tests, quality tests, complete sample zi'ork, etc. 



Babcock tests made of producer samples 4,499 



Resazurin test (to determine quality, methods, etc.) _ 1,808 



Reductase test (supplanted largely by resazurin) _.„ 51 



Lactometer . _ _ 25 



Bacteria _ - - 24 



Sediments made on producer milk at dealer plants „._ — 534 



Temperatures taken at small dealer plants ...._ _ _ 5,821 



Dealer's samples condemned „ „ 27 



Thousands of pounds of milk had to be returned to producer, because of being poorly 

 or inadequately cooled. 



The registering of all dairy farms of more than two cows, producing milk for our 

 Massachusetts markets, entails a considerable amount of work. The law states the 

 director shall inspect, or cause each farm to be inspected, at least once annually ; that 

 he shall accept the reports of local or municipal inspectors or agents or Boards of 

 Health, and forthwith register each farm. There are approximately 200 persons in 

 the Commonwealth who have been so designated, of which number about 75 inspect 

 from a very few farms to several hundred. The uncertainty of how many some of 

 them will inspect to completion made for the necessity of our knowing when all sup- 

 plies were inspected and when they should again be inspected, and has made it neces- 

 sary for us to tabulate, in detail, all records received at our office. Such tabulations 

 have been made by means of punch card records and business tabulating machines. 

 Since the inclusion of this machine tabulation into our system we have been able, over 

 the period covered, to tell the exact number of inspections made by all local and state 

 inspectors ; the condition of each dealer's supply ; detect any tendency to use milk from 

 unregistered sources ; or, in substance, to know the actual condition of our milk supply. 

 Every possible step is being taken to simplify the work of registering dairies 

 promptly, after the receipt of the approved inspection report and the application. Fur- 

 ther simplifications are thought possible, and will be used if found, after careful study, 

 to be practical. 



Temperatvire and quality tests were made in the shipping areas on many thousands 

 of samples of producers' milk, in all parts of the milk shed. These tests revealed, be- 

 yond any doubt, the value of the inspection program that has been in use since 1933, 

 showing that program has steadily improved the general methods, and, in turn, the 

 quality of the milk we receive. It was found necessary to return several thousands of 

 pounds of improperly cooled milk last year, which in itself is a direct loss to the pro- 

 ducer and behooves him to guard against such losses with good cooling facilities, ample 

 ice, or other cooling mediums, with due regard for losses entailed by frozen milk where 

 poor tanks or air cooling is used. 



Many hundreds of rusty pails, broken-seamed pails, rusty cans, improper strainers, 

 etc., were condemned because they were definite hazards to the quality of the milk to 

 be offered for sale. 



The resazurin test was used at creameries and dealer's plants to considerable extent 

 during the past year, to determine the keeping quality. This test reveals the use of 

 good or poor methods on the farm where the milk was produced. 



Animal Husbandry 

 This branch of the Division covers a broad field of activity, dealing with all of our 

 farm animals, including a few species that by many might rightfully be classed as ani- 

 mal hobbies, namely, rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, ponies, etc. ; while in some instances 



