1G2 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



In the case of the milk supply of the various cities in the 

 state, the situation is now in a fairly satisfactory condition, 

 whereas we found in 1906 milk all over the state very freely 

 adulterated with formaldehyde and various preservatives. Adul- 

 terations of that character during the past year have been reduc- 

 ed to less than 1 per cent ; that is to 2-5 of 1 per cent. That of 

 course is down to where it is practically perfect from that angle. 



In our work in the past year we found that in quite a fairly 

 good section of the dairy district there are still most excellent 

 wells and pumps in perfect condition and splendid working or- 

 der. The old pump has been a splendid stand-by. We don't find 

 the pump in the milk, but the product is quite evident still. It 

 requires very careful work on the part of the inspectors and food 

 department to prosecute cases of that kind successfully. In all of 

 these cases the law provides that we must send out a notice of 

 hearing and let the party accused have a chance to explain his 

 position and show why we should not prosecute him. Some of 

 the excuses are very amusing. I told this one last year but for 

 the benefit of those who were not present, I will repeat it. In 

 northwestern Illinois a gentleman was sending milk to a cheese 

 factory. The inspector happened to get there when the milk 

 was rather thin and sent a notice of hearing. It showed about 25 

 per cent water. The fellow came to town and by the time he got 

 to the office it seems he had been dropping into doors of various 

 character trying to find the food department. Numerous thirst 

 parlors had seen him and he had imbibed very freely and was a 

 little the worse for wear. At the hearing we said : "Well, Mis- 

 ter, this thing looks very much like a blunder." 



"Wasn't water in that milk?" 



"Well, I will tell you straight, fellows. Is it against the 

 law?" "Yes," I said. 



"I didn't know I was breaking the law. I put the water in 

 there all right, but I wouldn't have done it if I thought I was 

 breaking the law. I only thought I was bi eaking the creamery- 

 man." 



