145 



Tests for Farmers' Milk. 



The following information is taken from Leaflet No. 146, 

 issued by the Board of Agriculture : 



"It is a well-known fact that in the vast majority of cases the milk given 

 by the cows of this country exceeds in butter-fat and other milk solids the 

 percentage specified in the ' Sale of Milk Kegulations, 1901/ made by the 

 Board of Agriculture. It happens, however, occasionally, that for one 

 reason or another a cow may give milk which does not contain those per- 

 centages (3 per cent, of butter-fat and 8*5 per cent, of other milk solids); 

 and in such cases the dairyman, when prosecuted, is required to prove that 

 the milk is genuine. In order to avoid the trouble and annoyance of a 

 prosecution, farmers, dairymen, and all other cowkeepers are strongly recom- 

 mended to have samples of the milk of their cows tested from time to time. 

 By this means they will be able to watch the seasonal and other variations 

 in the fat contents of the milk, and by modifications in the feeding-, housing, 

 or time of milking of their cows, and, if necessary, by disposing of animals 

 that give milk of low quality, to keep the quality of their milk at a 

 satisfactory level. 



"The Board have ascertained that, with the object of assisting farmers in 

 the direction indicated, the Agricultural Department of Armstrong College 

 has made arrangements for determining the percentage of butter-fat for a 

 fee of sixpence per sample. 



"It must, however, be understood that: 



(a) The report sent will refer only to the percentage of butter-fat. 

 (&) Each report refers only to the sample tested, and implies no 

 guarantee whatever as to the bulk. 



(c) Each report is supplied solely for the information of the milk 

 producer, and must not be used as evidence in case of any dispute 

 between seller and buyer, or where the quality has been questioned by 

 any public authority. 

 "The following directions must be carefully observed: 



1. The fee of sixpence should be sent with the sample. 



2. A stamped and addressed envelope should be sent for the report. 



3. Samples should not be sent so as to arrive between Friday night 

 and Monday morning. 



4. If it is proposed to send samples periodically, as may be in many 

 cases advisable, the College should be so informed. 



5. The sample bottles should be carefully sealed and packed in 

 accordance with the requirements of the General Post Office, and the 

 postage prepaid. 



6. The following instructions as to taking samples should be closely 

 followed. 



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