58 THE COMMONS ACT, 1899. 
exposure was made at 140 F. was one hour, but recent exten- 
sive experiments by Dr. Theobald Smith, in which all 
conditions have been most carefully controlled, show that this 
time can be materially shortened where milk is agitated 
during pasteurising. A thorough retest of this point is now 
being made under factory conditions, and the exact time 
period will be determined on the basis of these trials.” 
‘The use of a temperature of 140° F. will do away with the 
only objection that has ever been urged against pasteurised 
products.” 
THE COMMONS ACT, 1899. 
The regulation of Commons, which the Commons Act 
1876, was intended to promote, has not been carried out under 
its provisions to more than a very limited extent. In the 
23 years since 1876, the Act has been effectively applied in 
only 26 cases of regulation. This small number may 
be attributed in great measure, and especially with respect to 
small Commons, to the complicated procedure and the amount 
of the costs. The Commons Act, 1899, was passed for the 
purpose of providing simpler and less expensive machinery 
for placing Commons under local management, with a view 
to their improvement, protection, and preservation as open 
spaces. Under the new powers any district council may 
make a scheme for the management of a Common within the 
district, due notice being given of the intention; and unless 
objection be taken either by the Lord of the Manor or by 
persons representing one-third in value of such interests as 
would be affected, the Board of Agriculture may confirm the 
scheme, with or without modification, whereupon the 
scheme will have full effect. The new Act will, it is believed, 
be found useful in many cases where there is a general 
agreement that a Common ought to be placed under due 
control, and where only powers to make improvements and 
to enforce bye-laws for preventing encroachments and 
nuisances are essentiai. Shortly after the passing of the . 
Act the Board issued to all the district councils in England 
