576 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—M. 
tendencies. First, it is the complement to the increase in livestock farming ; 
and, secondly, the result of a desire to curtail expenditure on unprofitable 
arable land during the depression. ‘The improvement of this latter class of 
land may not be desirable at present. 
The improvement of old grassland in poor condition can be financially 
successful, as Mr. Bligh’s experiences show, yet it makes little headway on 
a national scale. ‘There are certain factors limiting activity in improving 
poor grassland : (1) the alternative of an increased output from better class 
grassland ; (2) the laying down of arable land to grass; (3) the special 
function of poor grassland in systems of farming ; (4) the speculative nature 
of the investment. 
In the subject of the economics of grass and hay versus purchased foods 
as a Management question it appears that grass and hay are much cheaper 
to produce than most purchased foods. Yet purchased foods play a special 
part on grassland farms. For their reliability and convenience, as compared 
with an uncertain and variable supply of food from grass, farmers are 
prepared to pay a higher price. Scientists must remove the uncertainties 
of grass as a food supply. 
DISCUSSION (12.0). 
AFTERNOON. 
Visit to the Market Harborough grazing area. 
Tuesday, September 12. 
Discussion on Milk production and distribution in relation to nutrition 
and disease :— 
Prof. T. J. Macxre.—The milk supplies of the country in relation to 
the public health (10.0). 
Introductory : milk in human diet ; milk as a vehicle of infection—the 
hygienic problem ; consumption of milk in this country ; need for a higher 
standard of purity. 
Factors that have influenced the condition of the general milk supplies— 
the distribution of milk to the urban communities—transportation and 
retailing of milk. 
Bacterial contamination : sources—milk as a bacterial growth-medium— 
hygienic and economic aspects—methods of dairying and distribution. 
Milk-borne infection: bovine tuberculosis and human infection by the 
bovine type of tubercle bacillus—prevalence of bovine disease and of tubercle 
bacilli in market milk—human mortality and morbidity due to bovine-type 
infection ; other infections and their sources ; bovine contagious abortion 
and undulant fever (‘ abortus-fever ’) of the human subject—prevalence of 
Bacillus abortus in market milk. 
The control of milk-borne tuberculosis ; ‘ open ’ tuberculosis of cattle— 
tuberculosis detected by tuberculin reaction—existing legislation in control 
of disease—eradication of the disease from dairy herds, methods, achieve- 
ments, and future progress—the position of the individual farmer ; designated 
milks. 
Disinfection of the ordinary market milk—pasteurisation : question of 
its efficacy—methods—need for control—effect on nutritive qualities— 
question of compulsory pasteurisation. 
Immediate measures to ensure safe milk supplies. 
