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74
Percentage of fat in the mixed milk of the morning samples, allowing for
the different yields = 2.68 per cent.
The chief cause of low percentages of milk fat in the morning milk of a
herd of cows during the summer months is to be found in the unequal periods
of milking.
The percentage of milk fat in morning and evening milks should not
differ by more than 0.2 per cent. to 0.4 per cent. when the intervals of milking
are approximately equal. In the case of samples H 49 and H 59, the afternoon
sample was taken at 4.30 p.m. and the morning sample at 8.0 a.m.,
representing intervals of 8½ hours and 15½ hours. It is possible that the other
samples which showed a low fat percentage would have shown a higher figure
at the evening milking. On the other hand, the cows from which these
samples were obtained may be giving at all times poor quality milk.
In this connection it is interesting to note that this cowshed was one of
a number which exist in the Borough. In these sheds the cows remain for a
period of about ten months. A good quantity of milk low in quality is first
obtained, then the quality gradually improves and the quantity drops until,
finally, after a period of about ten months, the cow, which has fattened during
this period is disposed of.
Butter.
141 samples were examined, of which 1 or 0.7 per cent. was returned as
adulterated.
H 32 (Informal). Contained 15 per cent. Margarine. A subsequent
formal sample was genuine.
The amount of boron preservative found to be present in 13 samples was
estimated. No sample contained more than 0.5 per cent. expressed as boric
acid.
The results are shown in Table J, together with the corresponding figures
for 1923 and 1924.