Mexborough and Swinton Times March 29, 1929

Weak Milk.

Bolton Farmer Fined.

“Frozen Turnips”

What was described as a serious case of watered milk came before the West Biding magistrates at Doncaster au Tuesday, when Alfred Davis, farmer, Bolton-on-Dearne, was summoned for selling milk not of the quality demanded by the purchaser. A fine of £5 was imposed.

Mr. C. P. Bruton said that a food and drugs inspector took a sample of milk that was being sent by defendant to a retailer on Feb. 22. The subsequent analysis showed a deficiency on non-fatty solids, revealing 18.8 per cent. of added water. The inspector took another sample under similar conditions on Feb. 27th, and the non-fatty solids were 9.06, compared with 6.90 in the deficient sample, and was therefore quite in order.

Fredk. Wm. Richardson, public analyst to the West Riding County Council, said the sample forming the subject of the summons showed that water had been added at the rate of a quart to the gallon.

In reply to Mr. O. R. Marshall, Mr. Richardson said the frost could not be blamed for the deficiency in the milk. He admitted that there hail been an abnormal frost, but the milk he had analysed during that period had been very good. The frost might affect the quantity of the milk, but not the quality.

Mr, Marshall: I suggest that where cows are fed on badly frozen turnips, as in this case, the quality of the milk is affected. Mr. Richardson replied that he had proved by experiment that this was not so. The quality was not affected.

Hugh Davis, son of defendant, who milked the cows on the date in question, denied that there was any added water.

In reply to the chairman (Mr. G. E. Cooke, Yarborough) witness said he suggested that frozen turnips put water in the milk, as the beasts drank the water from the ice.

Defendant said he agreed with his son. He had been told that frozen turnips affected the quality of the milk, and five days before the inspector called at the farm be ordered his son to change the method of feeding. At that time he fell ill, and later he found that his son had not changed the feeding. Then they fed the beasts on more cake and meal, and knocked off the supply of turnips.

The chairman said it had been proved that cold weather did not affect the quality of milk.

A fine of £5 was imposed.