Excerpt from The National Institute for Research in Dairying: Its Work and Needs

The Dairying Industry occupies a very important position in this country, not only from the point of view of those who are engaged in it, but also from that of the public generally, who depend upon it for some of their most important and vital foodstuffs. The industry renders, therefore, an essential national service, and its welfare and efficiency are the concern Of all of us. That it Shall be run eco nomically and that its products shall be Of the highest possible standard are matters in which we are all interested to a greater or lesser degree. They affect the national pocket and the national health. But economy and standard are not absolute terms their interpretation is governed by our knowledge of what is possible, and that knowledge is continually growing. What is responsible for this continued growth of knowledge, and why has that growth been accelerated in recent years? The farmer has very much more knowledge of the properties of the foodstuffs which he feeds to his cattle than he had, say, twenty years ago. There is very much more knowledge available for him on the cfiect of these foodstuffs on the milk production, and on the health of his animals. More knowledge is available on the science Of breeding cattle for milk production and the best methods of handling and carriage Of milk. The consumer on his part can obtain fuller knowledge of the food value of milk and its products, of how to avoid dirty milk and milk which may be the carrier of disease.

The farmer has probably got his information on many Of these points from the agricultural organiser Of his county, or in response to inquiries to the agricultural press. The members Of the public are kept informed through the general press, and by the medical officers of health for their respective local authorities. But all this knowledge did not originate with these agencies. They disseminate it, but it finds its origin in research and experiment. Someone has got to test and try materials and methods, to investigate causes and effects, in order that new knowledge may be Obtained. Now it is not enough that research and experiment in the dairying industry should be left to chance. To be efiective it must be organised and it is desirable that it shall be concentrated; that a picked body of workers Shall devote their whole energies to the problems of the industry, and to the revelation of new knowledge, and that the results Of their efforts Shall be at the disposal Of all who will avail themselves Of them.

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