FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 112, 9 June 1909, Page 3

FARM AND DAIRY.

WATEIt-LOGG ING. I'ARALYSIXCi Kl'Fl'X'T ON REPUTATION OF OUlt BUTTER. A KKSb'LT OF THE COMtfIXED CHURN. An endeavor lias liven made in some .quartos to iqminii.se the effect of tue common tendency to increase tin- water content of New Zealand Imtter*.' It is hoing alleged L/iat the. i'Oiii|ilaiiits unilei' this head iiave been made because of tlie weak market, and made' lly liy those who purchased ont|mts at' lngii tigurcs and found themselves with lurge supplies oil hand, representing a serious loss. While it is very true that the buyer is invariably hypercritical 011 a falling market, there is, it is to be feared, small reason for the' New Zealand butter producer to plume hi'.nselt that the unsatisfactory reports lis is receiving this season are due to this cause. The evil is only too real, and if all the reports on the matter which have reached the Dominion could be reproduced they would make pretty reading. One large concern sent Home more than one shipment containing eighteen per cent, of moisture, or two per cent, above the British legal limit. Fortunately arrangements were made to dispose of the shipments to a blender, or margarine maker, so that the water-logged butter did not come on the market to run the risk of furnishing a very bad advertisement for New Zealand butter. Unhappily the ease is not an isolated one. It is only fair to state that the "combined churn and butter worker"—that excellent labor-saving appliance but admirably water-logging device —has been unconsciously tlie cnuse of some makers incorporating a high percentage of moisture in tlleir butter. Tlie combined churn was new to them, and they did not realise its possibilities as a blending machine, Of course the majority of makers know all about combined churns, and while they realise i£s possibilities they manage it with certain discretion. They have certainly sailed near the wind, and have escaped the law ot Britain, but they have dole their share in destroying the great reputation so long enjoyed on British markets by New Zealand butter. I'ht.y have endeavored to sell water for butter, but they have bumped up against a very keen victim in tlie London trader, who has paid only (or 'the 'butter-,fat and ha'sl thus absolutely nullified the game of the , New Zealand maker.

It is gratifying to know t'hat the competition Witters at tlie Palmerston show will be analysed for their water content. This has been advocated in these columns in connection with past winter shows. The decision has come none too soon. A departure the show executive could also adopt with advantage would lie to stipulate that prize butters must not contain more than fourteen per cent, of moisture. This is a very liberal allowance, and no butter should bp allowed to carry an important show premium if it contains more.—New Zealand Times.