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133
These samples being taken during the month of March, did certainly not
represent a period of the year when the quality is usually high, but in the
majority of seasons would be somewhat below the average for the whole year.
The figures were most satisfactory from one point of view, as showing that
the milk supply of the City as it reaches the railway station was of a high
standard of quality.
While the average percentage of fat was 4, in no one instance did it
approach the low limit adopted by the Board of Agriculture, viz., 3 per cent.,
while in one case it was practically double, viz., 5.95. In other words, if this
particular sample (322) had been mixed with an almost equal quantity of
water, the amount of fat present would have been within the legal limit!
The same remark applies to solids not fat. While the average of all the
samples was 8.79, in three only was it slightly below this, while the highest
contained 9.19 per cent.
The average total solids amounted to 12.79, the highest being 14.74, and
the lowest 11.96.
It will therefore be seen that the City dealer has a milk of high standard to
start with, and that but little, if any, attention should be paid to the "sold as
bought" defence. All the evidence tends to show that water is added or
cream abstracted deliberately, with a view to increase the profit.
When the small amount of fines inflicted is considered, and the enormously
increased profit, it will be readily understood how well such fraudulent action
pays, while the risk of detection is admittedly small.