Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-19

THE dairy division actively be-
lieves in practical cooperation for the
general advancement of Maine agri-
culture and the particular advance
ment of Maine dairying.
The investigation of dairy products
and enforcement of dairy laws is
very important work, especially if APP
preached in the constructive as we'll
as the enforcement spirit
with this idea fully and clearly
| in mind, the plans for carrying out
the provisions of the dairy laws of
the state have been made and 2,O62
| milk dealers have registered with the
department to date
While it is understood that the
law authorizing the investigation was
| designed as a pure food law for the
! protection of the consumer. yet it is
the purpose of the dairy division to
| carry out it's provisions in such
manner as will be of material assist
ance to the producer. Every effort
possible will be made to cooperate
with local authorities and assist them
| in the investigation of the conditions
| under which their milk supply is pro-
duced.
1T appears to the dairy instructor
| that one of the most important things
| to be taken up under the investigation
of dairy products is personal vista
| tons to diaries producing the milk
supply of our towns and cities by
practical men well versed in the scien-
tific questions involved in the produc-
| ton of milk. There is every reason
to believe that the dairy farmers of
this state will welcome visits at any
time from an inspector who is thor
oughly competent, tactful and reason
able.
ITO the dairy instructor it seems
especially important that in connec-
ton with the investigation of dairy
products and the enforcement of dairy
laws, there should be held what might
be termed milk institutes in the cities
and larger town for the purpose of in
structing the consumer as TO the care
of milk in the home and its value as
an article of food. There is no ques-
ton but that the farmer sometimes,
and perhaps often, is criticized for
selling poor milk and milk produced
under unsanitary conditions. when in
reality the fault lies elseWhere-soms-
times with the distributor of milk and
sometimes in the home of the con-
sumner. An attempt will be made to
hold a series of milk Institutes during
the present year.
"A complete investigation of the
production, manufacture, transporta-
ton, storage and sale of milk as
worded in the law adopted by the last
Legislature, will undoubtedly bring a
hatf a N a % ann6i-
tons necessary for the production, dis
tribution and care of good quality
of milk
During the past year so tar as the
dairy division is concerned, there has
not been very much accomplished in
dairy inspection, except in co-opera
ton. with creameries and several OF
our larger towns. Cooperative work
has neen carried on with as much in
terest and benefit as during the pre-
vious year, a report of each inspection
having been forwarded to this depart
ment by the creamery or town MAX
the inspection. A very encouraging
feature connected with the inspection
OF diaries is the Improvement in con
ditions of equipment or methods or
both, noted wherever visits have been
made to diaries for the second time.
Reports sent in from one creamery
show an average improved condition
amounting to one and one half per
cent over the first visit made by the
inspector. A disappointing thing, how
ever. about inspection work is the fact
that very few of our cities or towns
consider it of sufficient Importance to
undertake. The creameries of the
state are manifesting a greater appre-
citation of the value of it's practical
application Most certainly there is
no plan more important in its relation
to the quality of milk produced than
dairy inspection when conducted by
competent inspector.
1T is quite possible that for the
present. with the limited force at the
command of the dairy division of the
department. the most practical man.
ner in which the proposition can be
handled is to still further encourage
local authorities and creamerieS to act
in cooperation with the Department
of Agriculture but the dairy instruc-
tor is convinced that eventually the
most practical method by which the
inspection of the production of the
states milk supply can be made Will
be under the immediate supervision of
the department itself
"The inspection of city milk plants
like that of diaries has not been car
ried on by the dairy division to any
extent during the. past year. 1t will,
however, be an important part of the
investigation of dairy products, and
will hereafter be reported under that
heading. 1t is a duty which the state
and local authorities owe to both pro-
ducer and consumer.
Complete statistics concerning the
different farm crops, farm help, OPP
portunities for special farming, avail
able markets. etc. have been collected
in all but three counties. These data
will be completed in the near future
and when fully tabulated and sum-
married. will furnish very valuable in
formation as to the agricultural pos
sibilities of the State-informatlon that
has not been heretofore available. No
one can estimate at this time the i'm
mense value to the state the publish
ing and distribution of this Informal
ton will prove to be. That definite
and positive hehefit will accrue, must
be apparent to all,