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present standard should be made an absolute and not a
presumptive standard.
Figures published by the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries show that the examination of samples of milk
from different breeds of cows gives the following average
fat content:—
Jersey 5.43 per cent.
Guernsey 5.16 ,,
Kerry 4.67 ,,
Welsh 4.40
Ayrshire 4.09 ,,
Shorthorns 3.91 ,,
Various crosses 3.82 ,,
British Friesians 3.63 ,,
These figures are averages from large numbers of each
breed.
The herds, from which most of the milk received in
Hammersmith is drawn, consist largely of Welsh, Shorthorns
and various crosses and reference to the above figures
shows that the average fat content from cows of these
breeds is over 4 per cent. or 33⅓ per cent. more than the
present legal minimum.
Returning to consideration of samples taken in Hammersmith
during the year, the remaining six adulterated milk
samples were procured from four local dairymen. Of these,
three contained 1.0 per cent., 1.0 per cent. and 1.3 per
cent. extraneous water respectively. The amount of
adulteration was small and the vendors (two in number)
were warned. On further samples being taken, the milk
was found to be genuine.
In the other three cases (from two dairymen) the
adulteration was more serious and proceedings were taken.
Fines amounting to £10 with £1 1s. Od. costs were imposed.
The following Table shows the average content of fat
and non-fatty solids in samples taken in the Borough,
calculated month by month upon the total number
analysed (these figures include samples reported as
adulterated):—