METHODS OF PAYING PATRONS. 145 



yellow, and there will be three distinct columns with sharp lines 

 or divisions between them, viz., a column of clear fat on top, one 

 of whey next, and one of curdy matter at the bottom. If there 

 be not a clear separation, cool to about 90 degrees, churn 

 again and proceed as before. 



" To take a Reading. There is a chart prepared for the pur- 

 pose. Placing the bottle in an upright position on the ' base 

 line ' of the chart, move it along until, when looking by the 

 right side of the bottle, the top of the column of fat comes even 

 with the uppermost slanting line on the chart. Next, still look- 

 ing by the right side of the bottle, observe the line to which the 

 bottom of the fat comes ; the number on this line gives the 

 reading. 



" A small rule made especially for the purpose is more con- 

 venient than a chart. This, however, will give an accurate read- 

 ing only when the test-tubes have been filled precisely to the 

 mark. The chart consists of a sliding scale and gives the pro- 

 portion of oil regardless of the depths of cream taken in the 

 test-tubes. 



" Sometimes the fat, though clear, is somewhat open. In 

 such cases, or when the fat is not clear, allow the samples to 

 become cold, and then place in water at a temperature of about 

 120 degrees F. before taking a reading. About 120 degrees is a 

 very suitable temperature at which to take readings. 



" Meaning of the Reading. Cream that gives a reading of 

 100 in the oil-test will make one pound of butter for every inch 

 of such cream in a cream pail twelve inches in diameter ; cream 

 testing 120 will make 1.20 pounds of butter per inch. To find 

 the pounds of butter, multiply the number of inches by the 

 reading and divide by 100." 



The Babcock test for determining the fat in the 

 cream is a much more accurate test and should be 

 introduced into cream-gathering creameries as rapidly 

 as possible. In order to overcome the difficulty of 

 carrying scales, the cream may be measured as for 



