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105
All the certificates, fifty in number, are in the hands of your
Inspectors.
December 25th, 1887.
I have examined thirty samples of Milk during the quarter,
some of them of very high quality, bringing them up to the
standard of the Society of Public Analysts rather than to that of
Somerset House. Six Milks out of the thirty were adulterated
with, respectively, 24, 24, 19, 15, 9, and 9 per cent. of water.
No. 148 must have been skimmed by machinery, to such perfection
had it been brought, and watered at least to the extent
of 9.0 per cent. Seven others were fully adulterated up to the
mark allowed by yourselves. Partly owing to the lowering of
the standard by Somerset House and partly to the kindness of
the Vestries and Boards, there is now an average allowance of 10.0
per cent. of adulteration through the kingdom. We occasionally
have vendors selling milks, practically identical, with their five
per cent. of added water; in such cases it would be well if the
cow-keepers could be made to prove that such milks are possible.
Anyhow it is rather hard upon retailers of milk that when a
certain amount of adulteration is permitted they themselves
should not share in the advantage.
Of two Butters analysed, one had been tampered with to a
slight extent, but was passed for obvious reasons.
Three Coffees, four Mustards, and two Peppers were distinctly
of the nature, substance, and quality demanded. The same
may be said of three varities of Sweetstuffs.
A sample of Ale was a distinct improvement upon the past.