1 Oct., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 827 
PURCHASING MILK BY PERCENTAGE OF BUTTER FAT. 
To reconcile the differences which exist between milk-suppliers and the 
factories with regard to the payment for milk according to the percentage of 
butter fat, a series of experiments is to be carried out shortly at the Hawkes- 
bury Agricultural College by a committee of experts chosen by the council of 
the South Coast Agricultural Societies’ Union. Many dairymen in New South 
Wales are greatly dissatisfied with the present system of calculating the value 
of milk on the fat percentage, and contend they should be paid according to 
the amount of commercial butter; but just how this is to be ascertained more 
accurately by any other method than the Babcock test has not been clearly 
explained by the discontented suppliers. Perhaps the experiments about to be 
coudueted will throw some light on this important question, as well as lead to 
the adoption of a uniform standard for testing at all the factories in the colony. 
—Australasian. 
EXPORT OF BUTTER TO LONDON. 
Tne first shipment of butter to the London market for this season from Sydney 
was made on the 8rd September, when 25 tons were despatched by the 
“ Oratava.”’ This is a large increase on the first shipment of last year, made 
on the 6th September, which consisted only of twenty boxes. The first boat in 
1897, which took a shipment equal to the present consignment, was despatched 
on the 4th October, or just one month later, which fact serves to indicate that 
there will be a decided increase in butter exports for this season from New 
South Wales.— Australasian. 
AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SHOWS, 
Tire Editor will be glad if the secretaries of Agricultural and other Socicties 
will, as early as possible after the fixture of their respective shows, notify him 
of the date, and also of any change in date which may have been decided on. 
