Sterilisation of Dairy Utensils. 93 



resulted in the production of matter soluble in ether. The 

 determinations of the flinty and mealy corns in the case of 

 the English barleys agreed very closely with the classifica- 

 tion ; the prize barleys averaged less than 5 per cent, of 

 flinty corns, while the inferior samples averaged 25 per cent. ; 

 and the barleys which were grown after roots in the previous 

 season averaged about 13 per cent, of flinty grains. The 

 chemical analyses and mechanical examination of these 

 barleys are all held to confirm the conclusions of previous 

 investigations — that high quality in barley is linked with a 

 high starch and a low proteid content, factors which are not 

 readily attained when barley is grown after roots folded off. 



The Sterilisation of Dairy Utensils. 



For the sterilisation of separators, churns, butter- workers, 

 ripening vats, and other dairy appliances, the best and 

 cheapest method, according to Dr. Cherry, M.D., 

 Lecturer in Bacteriology, Melbourne University, is to fill 

 them with water containing ordinary washing soda, in the 

 proportion of 1 lb. to 20 gallons, and turn the steam into it 

 by means of a piece of hose until the water boils. This 

 plan was introduced in 1892 for the purpose of sterilising 

 the surgeon's instruments before an operation. It is now 

 very generally used by surgeons, and in the bacteriological 

 laboratory it is implicitly relied upon for all purposes 

 Not only are all . known bacteria killed by momentary 

 exposure to the boiling soda solution, but their spores or 

 seeds are also destroyed. These spores resist a heat which 

 no other living animal or vegetable tissue can with- 

 stand. The advantages of using soda in the dairy and butter 

 factory are enhanced by the fact that it unites with the lactic 

 acid present, forming a soluble lactate of soda, and also with 

 the grease, forming an easily soluble soap. It therefore 

 accomplishes the double object of cleansing and sterilising 

 at the same time. Furthermore, it has the great advantage 



