“ Chemical Test ” for Butter Production. 
849 
entered in a competition, and when more than one milking has to be 
churned — but there is the certainty that if any of the milk or any of 
the cream be lost in the numerous manipulations which they under- 
go, the whole competition may be spoiled, for there is no possibility 
of replacing the milk, or of taking a fresh sample, or of allowing for 
the loss. Thus, for the whole of the time, and until the finished 
product is obtained, there must be risk of disturbing elements 
coming in, any of which may affect the result, or even vitiate the 
test. 
Compare with this the ease of manipulation, the certainty of the 
scientific processes involved, the readiness with which results can be 
checked or repeated in the case of the chemical test, and it must be 
clear that, after deducting the “ show-yard argument,” the chemical 
test possesses most distinct advantages in every respect. 
The butter-fat shown by the chemical analysis of the milk is the 
whole of the real butter-making material, and nothing else — no vary- 
ing quantity of curd, of water, of salt, <fcc. ; it is independent of the 
“ souring ” or not of the cream, and it is independent of the varying 
efficiency of separator, churn, or operator, or of circumstances of 
temperature, outside surroundings, &c. 
The chemical test, in brief, is the determination of what each 
cow has yielded that is capable of being transformed into butter, and 
not what may, under certain conditions, be turned into butter. 
As regards adaptability there can be no comparison. 
After the milk has been weighed, samples are at once drawn ; 
and, this done, absolutely the only risk run is in the transmission of 
the sample — in case it has to be sent to a distance — and this risk is 
avoided entirely by the taking of duplicate samples. 
After the samples have been drawn, it does not matter what hap- 
pens to the milk, nor whether any is lost in sepai’ating, in churning, 
or otherwise. 
The analysis can be repeated a dozen times if needed, and the 
accuracy of the determinations admits, in competent hands, of no 
question whatever. 
I regard the chemical test, therefore, as at once the simpler and 
the more accurate method. 
J. Augustus Yoelcker. 
THE GREAT DROUGHT OF 1893. 1 
At an ordinary meeting of the Royal Meteorological Society, 
held on November 15, a paper was read by the writer on “The 
Great Drought of 1893 and its attendant Meteorological Pheno- 
mena.’* Inquiry showed that, although an unusual amount of 
1 This communication may be regarded as supplementary of the paper by 
Mr. G. J. Symons, F.R.S., on The Spring Drought of 1893, printed in the cur- 
rent volume of the Journal, pp. 339-354 . — Ed. 
VOL. IV. T. S. — 16 3k 
