1903.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 55 



Examination of Candidates. — Mr. E. B. Holland has 

 taken charge of this work. Last year 45 candidates were 

 examined, being principally the operators in the employ of 

 Massachusetts creameries and milk depots. The present 

 year 13 Avere examined and given certiticates of compe- 

 tency. It is believed that practically all now using the 

 Babcock test as a basis for payment have a good understand- 

 ing of the process, and are capable of doing satisfactory 

 work. 



Inspection of Bahcoch Machines. — The examination of 

 Babcock machines has been in charge of Mr. N. J. Hunt- 

 ing, who visited each creamery or milk depot, and made a 

 personal inspection of all machines in use. At the time of 

 presenting the last report it was not possible to state the 

 results of the first inspection (1901), which showed 20 

 machines to be in good condition, 11 to be in need of re- 

 pairs and 9 to be entirely unfit for satisfactory work. A 

 number of machines needed levelling, and several were 

 without a steam gauge or speed indicator. The condition 

 of a machine frequently depends upon the operator. K he 

 is careful and painstaking in his work, the tester is likely to 

 be found in good repair. The total cost of the first inspec- 

 tion was 1182.42, — 14.56 each. It was impossible to ex- 

 actly apportion the cost of examining each machine, so that 

 it seemed wiser to divide the total cost of inspection by the 

 number of machines examined, the quotient being the cost 

 to each creamery. It became necessary, because of the 

 number of machines out of condition or condemned, to 

 make a second inspection, the cost of which was apportioned 

 as equally as possible among those directly interested. A 

 few managers considered the cost excessive, but it was not 

 possible to do the work for less. Simply because one-half 

 or one hour was occupied in making the actual examination, 

 it must not be understood that the charge should be only 

 for the time thus employed. The entire cost covers the 

 time actually spent en route, including occasional delays, as 

 well as travelling and hotel expense. The proper enforce- 

 ment of this law has required the expenditure of a great 

 deal of time on the part of the employees of this division 



