The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1916-01-14
DAIRYMAN SHOULD
HAVE OWN TESTER


and by using them carefully and regu
larly to verify the weights and tests
of the creamery The Babcock meth
cd of testing milk and cream is as
certain to give correct results in hon
est hands as are the balance scales
in giving weights or the yardstick
in the measuring of distances The
simple variation in the test of milk
and cream is no Indication of dishon-
esty on the part of the dairyman, the
driver or the creamery.
The causes of variation in the tests
of cream are many. That there is
about the same amount of milk, that
there is about the same amount of
cream, and that the separator has been
turned at about the same number of
revolutions per minute each time in
use, is no indication that the cream
will be the same. Many dairy men,
however, believe that the results
should be alike. But those who have
a testing outfit of their own know
that there are many causes of varia-
ton in the tests of cream, other than
the lead pencil of the creameryman.
Before l purchased Babcock test
er ! could not be convinced that the
creameryman was not cheating, but
the outfit soon revealed to me that
other conditions were causing the vari-
alton in the tests of cream, and the
creameryman was dealing entirely on
the square. There may be some cream
erymen who use their lead pencils un-
sparingly on the cream tests of their
friends in order to show a profit, or
to take from some and give to others
with the design of getting and hold
ing patronage. But no dairyman has a
right to think that or say that unless
he has weighed and tested the cream
himself and knows to certainty that
he is right
To have a sample of cream tested
by another creamery, or even by an
other dairyman, is not fair to the
creamery one is dealing with. No
man has an honest right to place his
business friend at the mercy of a
competitor or in the hands of some
one who has no interest or skill in
handling the Babcock test. Any dairy
man who neglects to weigh and test
his cream must place his business in
the hands of the creameryman and will
have to depend on his confidence in
the honesty of that creameryman for
results.
Dividing the cream among several
creameries can give no true idea OF
the accurate results of the tests of
the cream and can in no way pay
for the neglect to attend to ones own
business. There is only one method of
finding the honest creamery or to get
honest returns from the creamery that
may be inclined to manipulate the
tests, and that is by the regular and
careful use of the scales and the Bah
cock testing outfit at the dairy by the
dairyman. | do not writc in the in
terest of the creameryman, but to
urge the great need of the Babcock
test by the dairyman, that he may sat
isfy himself that there are many
causes for the variations in the tests
Of cream that he has never thought
Of, and that he can often save HIM
self much money by checking up un-
errors on the part OF the
creamery.
1t is not very difficult to learn to
10 accurate work with the Babcock
testing outfit 1t is only a question OF
taking accurate samples, carefully fol
lowing directions in each stage of the
operations, and then reading the re-
suits on the graduated nccks OF the
Test bottles with an understanding OF
he proper allowance to be made. The
whole operation must be based on
getting an accurate sample from the
can and for the test bottle. II these
samples do not accurately represent
he average of the whole body OF
he cream, the final result will be that
much off from an accurate determin-
alton of the average test of the whole
body Of cream. Taking of samples OF
cream to be tested is, therefore, the
most important part of the whole op- |
grafton.
When testing is SO simple and the |
,ost of an outfit so small, | cannot |
why it is that SO many
,ream sellers do not own and regular
v use such an outfit. The satisfaction
If knowing when he is getting
quare deal from creamery should
,e worth many times the cost, in time
md money to any cream producer in
he regular use of the scales and Bah
ock test.
owa Homestead. !