FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL CONVENTION 25 



and, with the mouth suck the air out until the milk rises in the 

 pipette, above the mark on the neck. Quickly place the forefinger 

 over the upper end of the pipette, before the milk runs below 

 the mark. If the finger is dry, or nearly so, it is easy, by chang- 

 ing the pressure on the end of the tube to let the milk run out 

 slowly and to stop at the exact mark. It is important that this 

 amount be accurately measured. 



3. Empty the pipette, without spilling any on the outside, 

 into a Babcock test bottle. 



This is the ordinary ten percent milk bottle, which can be 

 obtained from any creamery supply house. 



4. Add 17.5 cubic centimeters of sulphuric acid, of a spe- 

 cific gravity 1.825, from a measuring cyhnder to the test bottle. 



Both the measuring cylinder and sulphuric acid of correct 

 strength can be obtained from supply houses. 



5. Mix the acid and milk thoroughly by shaking the bottle. 



6. Place the bottles in the centrifuge and whirl for five 

 minutes. 



The speed of whirling depends on the size of the centrifuge 

 machine. Such directions always accompany the machine. 



7. Add boiling hot water up to the base of the neck of the 

 bottle and whirl again for two minutes. 



8. Add boiling water until the fat rises into the neck of 

 the bottle and whirl for one minute. 



9. Read the percent of fat directly from the graduations 

 on the neck of the bottle. And record results. 



10. Empty the test bottles and wash thoroughly. 



With a little experience anyone should be able to run this 

 test and obtain just as accurate results as I have obtained here. 

 Anyone should be able to do it. In a court case, in which I ap- 

 peared as witness, a short time ago, I explained this process of 

 the Babcock test as I have- explained it to you. When I had 

 finished the opposing attorney turned to the jury and said, "Gen- 

 tlemen of the jury, this young man calls himself a chemist. 

 He is paid by the state as a chemist to perform this simple task 

 which can be performed by any old woman who has strength to 

 turn a coffee mill." Maybe he is right. At least, anyone with 



