SOLIDS-NOT-FAT.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20648, 10 September 1932, Page 8

SOLIDS-NOT-FAT.

AN UNFAIR LAW. The writer some time ago had occasion to eriticise the method of proving cases against milk vendors, not of selling milk under the standard of solids-not-fat prescribed by law, but of wilfully adding water to the milk. Very few of our magistrates know enough of the practical side of the matter to rule against the analyst whose tests, according to the charge, allege wilful adulteration of the milk by adding water. For some years now in the Old Country the freezing test, upon which our analysts in New Zealand rely, has been discredited as a proof of wilful watering, both by actual tests with whole herds of cows and by eminent authorities like Professor Tocker. Some years ago in these columns was quoted a case in the Midlands in which a large herd, under strict official survedllanca, produced milk that gave only a little over 7 per cent, solids-not-fat, as againßt the 8.5 prescribed standard. The freezing te«t docs prove the existence of water in milk, but it does not prove how the water got there. The ignorant critic is doubtless "on side" with theory here, and will ask, "Well, who put it there?" The cow has something to do with that, as the following cutting from the "Live Stock Journal" indicates:—

The law on the subject of milk quality is one which needs amendment. Difficulty in keeping the solids-not-fat content of milk above the implied "standard" of 8.5 per cent, is experienced by farmers in different parts of the country. In most instances, the cows aro fod on properly-balanced rations, and rarely is there any apparent cause for the deficiency. For this reason (says the "Banffshire Journal") a series of experiments was carried out with a herd in Hampshire to discover whether, by the addition or substitution of certain foods, tho solids-not-fat content could bo improved. In tho district where these experiments took place there existed a general belief that, where' green food formed part of the winter keep, there was seldom any trouble with a low solids-not-fat content. It was decided, thorefore, to test the effect of feeding ltalo to some of the cows in place of he mangolds given to the Test of the herd; also, in case there should be any deficiency of vitamin A or D in the winter dietary, it was arranged to add a small quantity of cod-liver oil and malt to the ration fed to another group of cows. The herd in question consists of about 50 pedigree British Friesians. The cows are of a good type, are well looked after, comfortably housed, and have always received an adequate amount of food. The soil of the farm is a medium loam lying on the chalk, the land being well drained and in quite good condition. The pastures carry a good crop of grasses and clovers, but the herbage is by no means luxurious. The cows are milked by machine, and thoroughly stripped-out by hand. The hours of milking are 5.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. A summary of the results of the experiments is given thus : A herd of 50 cows in Hampshire was known to be giving milk deficient in solids-not-fat. The feeding of kale to a group of cows in place of the mangolds fed to the rest of the herd effected no appreciable improvement in the solids-not-fat content of the milk.

IThe addition of cod-liver oil and malt to the ration of another group also

failed the raise»the percentage of solids-not-fat. Although the cows were in good condition and were fed according to modern feeding standards, the mixed milk of the 30 » cows always fell below the "standard" of 8.5 per cent, solids-not-fat between November 4th, 1930, and March 24th, 1931, during which time weekly samples were taken. The solids-not-fat in 80.1 per cent, of all the samples taken during the main experiment were below the "standard." The low solids-not-fat were associated with an abnormally small quantity of lactose in the milk accompanied by a high chloride content. When the cows were turned out to grass, the lactose cont nt of the milk increased and the solids-not-fat returned to normal. If the vendors of this 80.1 per cent, of milk were in New Zealand they would run the risk of a prosecution for "wilfully adding water." "From the sheep's back to mine" should be the motto of Governor William T. Gardiner, of Maine, United States, whose well-equipped farm receives his attention as soon as he disposes of matters of State. Recently, the Governor announced his intention of utilising some of his home-grown wool in manufacturing his next suit of clotheß, using a 200-year-old spinning wheel and loom. The wool, after shearing, will be carded, spun, and woven by methods used last century. There will be no question whether the finished garments are "all wool," for Governor Gardiner personally will superintend their manufacture from start to finish. Have you anything to sell —Do you wish to buy? If so a small advertisement in the classified section of Thb Press will be all you need. 12 words Is, three insertions 2s 6d. —b