106 HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



Butter. — In connection with the feeding experiments con- 

 ducted at the barn last season many samples of butter were 

 analyzed, and very thorough examinations of the butter fat, 

 both in regard to its chemical composition and physical prop- 

 erties, were made. 



" Renovated " or " process " butter having become of con- 

 siderable prominence in the market, a law was passed by 

 the last Legislature forbidding its sale except when plainly 

 marked, in one-half inch type, " Renovated butter." Several 

 samples have been identified in this laboratory by means of 

 a microscopical examination, general characteristics of the 

 melted fat and curd, together with the Reichert number; 

 and a much larger number of oleomargarines have been iden- 

 tified by the same methods. 



Cattle Feeds. — The feed law passed by the State Legis- 

 lature, which took effect in July, 1897, is apparently meeting 

 with good success. The work is carried out by this depart- 

 ment, the assistants making a semi-annual canvass of the 

 State, taking samples of all the prominent concentrated feed 

 stuffs. The samples so collected are carefully analyzed, and 

 the results published in bulletins from time to time. The 

 purpose of this work is to exclude poor and adulterated feeds, 

 and to maintain products of a uniform grade. 



The effect of the law on the quality of cotton seed meal has 

 been very marked. In the earlier collections inferior meals 

 were common, but during the present season but few were 

 found, and the average protein content is many per cent. 

 hio;her. Low-o;rade wheat feeds and oat feeds of unknown 

 manufacture still remain in the market, and probably will to 

 some extent until a guarantee is required on all feeds and 

 power given to enforce the same. 



Part II 



Feeding Experiments and Dairy Studies. 

 An investigation was instituted last season to ascertain the 

 effect produced on the quantity and quality of butter fat by 

 feeding ground flax-seed meal containing thirty-six per cent, 

 of oil, as compared with a normal linseed ration. 



