oFFiciAiv inspe;ctions 44. 1/3 



WEIGHT OF BUTTER. 



Some time ago complaints were received that short weight but- 

 ter was being sold throughout the State by various creameries 

 and dairies. A set of standardized weights was, therefore, pro- 

 cured, by means of which the scales in the various stores visited 

 by the deputies could be accurately tested and then when correct 

 such scales could be used in weighing up the various brands of 

 butter found on sale. 



The results of the investigation of the weights of butter have 

 been surprising. They are tabulated and will be found on pages 

 174-178. In some cases an occasional short weight brick has 

 been found mixed with others that weighed a pound or over. No 

 attempt at prosecution has been made in such cases. Where 

 the results of the weighings have shown that the majority of 

 the goods, or an important proportion weighed below 16 ounces, 

 hearings were appointed. Several short weight butter cases 

 have already been settled by the payment of fines ranging from 

 $5 to $20. Some cases are still under advisement and unsettled. 

 Some of the bricks sold as a pound have been found to weight 

 as little as I2-| ounces. Most of the short weight cases, how- 

 ever, are based upon samples which run about 15 ounces. 



Various excuses have been made by the manufacturers oi 

 these goods to account for the shortage in weight. A common 

 excuse is the use of an old mould which through constant scrap- 

 ing has become worn off so that it will not under any condition. 

 hold a pound of butter. One such mould brought to this office, 

 along with a new one of the same make, was found to be one- 

 eighth of an inch shorter than the new mould. The butter made 

 in this old mould was an ounce short in weight. One creamer)/ 

 manager explained that a mould used in printing out some 

 packed butter, which was very solid, was afterwards used with- 

 out readjustment to print out fresh churned butter and thi;, 

 being less dense resulted in a brick weighing less than a pound. 

 Some manufacturers had no excuse to offer whatever, simply 

 stating that they supposed they were making and selling a pound 

 of butter. 



While cases have not been brought against the dealer handling 

 short weight butter he is at fault. It is so easy for the dealer 

 to know whether the butter that he handles is full weight or 

 not that there is no excuse for selling short weight butter. 



