DR. BABCOCK.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 99, 29 December 1913, Page 8

DR. BABCOCK.

AMERICA'S GREAT DAIRYINC CHEMIST RETIRiNC. The announcement that Dr. Babcock, L'rofossor of Dairy Chemistry in 'the University of Wisconsin, is retiring is of more than passing interest to tlie dairymen of this Dominion, says the latest issue of tne Journal oi Agriculture." In no other country in die world was the invention of the famous Wisconsin chemist so rapidly and so generally adopted as was the east.' in .New Zealand. Dr. Babcock, imbued with the line spirit of the worker in the field of agricultural research, refused to patent his discovery. He presented it to the dairymen of the world, considering in this abnegation of selfinterest that nothing should be done to discourage the adoption oi a principle which if generally accepted would revolutionise tne industry to which he had devoted his life. Not only was payment for milk on a butter-fat basis generally adopted by our buttermaking companies soon after the system was made known, j but within a very few years the cheese companies of New Zealand discarded die payment by gallon principle in J favour of the butter-fat basis as de- J termmed by the Babcock test. For many years the test has been in uni- I vorsal use by New Zealand dairy comoanies; indeed, it is probable that there is no other country, including I even the inventor's own State, when 1 every pound of milk and cream accepted for manufacture—and this with an output valued last year at £4,200,JoO—is purchased under the Babcock

cest. New Zealand dairymen are also exhibiting commendable enterprise in naking that more extensive use of the test which, promises to effect even greater revolution in their industry than the purchase of milk according Co its fat-content—the ascertaining ijy weight and test the exact annual woduction of each individual cow. ..lord-testing associations are rapidly multiplying in the main dairying dis.ricls, while an official regi'ster-of-merit scheme is well under way in ■onnection with the, Jersey, Holstein, and Ayrshire breeds societies. The Sabcock test; has, indeed, hecome a household word in New Zealand. That the. dairymen of this country early recognised the value of Dr. Bab•ock's conspicuous service to their industry is proved by the fact that in the year 1891 they presented him with a handsome testimonial, a hand-paint-d volume. Shortly after this New Zealand testimonial was despatched :o Dr. Babcock the Legislature of his State presented him with a gold medal in commemoration of his services to the dairy industry. Tito milk-producer owes more to the scientist than does any other- class of primary producer. To such a disinterested worker in the. scientific held as Dr. Babcock he is particularly indebted. In the history of the dairy industry Dr. Babcock's name will occupy an honored place in the roll of those who have been instrumental in raising the industry of dairying from a crude undertaking into a great systematised business. Dr.,Babcock, a scientist of brilliant parts and of an uuselfish and loyal nature, will retire into private life with the best wishes of a vast army of admirers throughout the world.