a higher rating. This is in itself a great impetus to the production of clean milk.

(e) It is possible to check up in a direct way the sanitary condition of any particular distributor's plant, which is often found to be so unclean as to counteract whatever efforts the farmer had previously made in the production of clean milk.

(f) When the time for reinspection comes, a definite basis is at hand for the measurement of improved or inferior conditions on the part of the particular producer or dealer involved. The question of relative terms and theoretical arguments of partially remembered facts are removed.

Making use of the information secured through the enforcement of the requirements of the Milk Regulation Board and by the adoption of the score card system of inspection work (with the larger number of qualified men appointed by this department for this work), it has been possible during the past year to inspect practically every producer's or dealer's outfit in this State. More recently the task of reinspection was taken up which at once demonstrated incontrovertibly the absolute necessity of making a thorough reinspection, if for no other purpose than to spur on the individual producer or dealer to the up-keep of standards and cleanliness. It is not going too far to state, in all earnestness, that the value of a first inspection is well nigh entirely obliterated if it is not followed up by a reinspection within a reasonable time. Then, too, in many cases where inspectors find it necessary to make important suggestions for improvement, it is essential to see to it that such recommendations are executed. In this connection much gratification is had in being able to report that in many cases where reinspections have been made, decided improvements have been found and a much higher rating secured on the score card.

Such evidence of the results of inspection work are most

encouraging and point unerringly to the unquestioned advisability of and necessity for the continuation of the work, and especially for as frequent reinspections as are in accord with the facilities of this office.

It is a sincere pleasure, also, to state that much material assistance has been rendered the officials of this department by the hearty coöperation and work of the Commissioner of Health and various health officials throughout the State. They are in a position to come into contact with various phases of dairy work, and to their vigilence and watchfulness this department owes much, for the effectiveness of the regulation of dairy activities, as well as for the maintenance of standards and sanitary conditions.

It is the purpose of this department to continue inspection work and reinspection work, to make it more efficient, more coördinate, and more centralized. Dairy inspections must be perfected to the point where they shall be recognized by producer, dealer and consumer as inextricably interwoven with the vital interests of each. It is urged that inspections be dealt with in a spirit of frank and hearty coöperation by all concerned therein. Criticisms and suggestions, favorable or otherwise, are invited. It is only thus that the officials of this department can make inspection work mean as much as it should and it is only thus that the highest welfare of the dairy industry can be permanently subserved.

From October 1, 1916 to April 1, 1918 there were 3,760 inspections of which we have record made on the former method of inspection, covering 123 towns in the State, four men working. Beginning April 1, 1918 and ending September 30, 1918 there were 5,155 inspections made on the new score card system, these inspections covering 160 towns in the State. There was also special work done, consisting of 181 days' work, of the several inspectors combined. 2385 of these stable inspections, where improvements were needed, were followed by a letter of instruction with the request that as soon as improvements were completed to

notify this office, and it is very gratifying to this department to know that the inspectors' work was well received and complied with, as testified to by the large number of replies stating the improvements or recommendations had been completed.

This practically completes inspection work covering every town in the State as is shown by record on the books. of this office. During the latter period three more inspectors were added to our working force.

In order to carry forward this work as outlined, it will be necessary to retain at least the present number of inspectors. Furthermore, it must be borne in mind that during the past few years the cost of living, hotel rates and restaurant charges have increased many fold. Traveling expenses, railroad fares and automobile maintenance have likewise become much more costly. The appropriation asked of the General Assembly of 1917 by this Department was based on estimates of the then existing prices. It is estimated that for the next two years the expenditures of this department will be increased by 40% at least.

FOOD CONTROL.

For the past two years the food control work of this department has been related mainly to the attention to complaints of various kinds and to particular care that the sale of all foods shall be according to statutes and not otherwise. Neither the resources of the department nor the size of the appropriation for this work are sufficiently large to admit of any extensive or far reaching endeavors to go minutely into the details of the manufacture or sale of the multitudinous varieties and degrees of substances offered for human consumption.

Nor does it seem to be within the scope of our work to do so. Excepting in cases of gross and flagrant violations of the statutes wherein the excuses of accident or ignorance were obviously not without flaws, an effort has been made

to create and support all possible coöperation between the inspectors and the various food vendors, with the purpose, not at all needlessly annoying or harassing those people but to educate them in the details of the actual workings of the food laws and to impress upon them the fundamental principles upon which these laws are based. It is felt that a great many violations of the statutes pertaining to food are not due to wilful or deliberate disregard for or defiance of the laws but rather to the honest misunderstanding and entire ignorance of their particular applications. In this field, as well as in that of dairy and stable inspection work, it is first essential that those by whom the laws are to be obeyed, understand their purport. Otherwise it is the height of folly to expect them to be implicitly carried out. It must be thoroughly understood by all concerned, however, that if after due inspection, explanation and warning on the part of our inspectors, anyone is found guilty of violation of the food laws, he should not expect any great amount of leniency or sympathy from the officials of this department. In other words, it is to be hoped that the department will meet with voluntary compliances on the part of all those who dispense food articles for sale and it must also be borne in mind that rigid prosecutions can be enforced, if necessary.

CHEESE.

The manufacture and sale of domestic cheese, has grown tremendously and has developed into an industry which must be recognized and controlled. Whereas, it is true that the cheese industry is as yet in its infancy and cheese has not become widely established as an article of food to be used frequently although containing abundant nourishment in a small, compact form, the further development of the cheese industry should be encouraged and directed along the proper lines. To this end, this department has made several inspections concerning cheese manufacture and has insisted that wherever such cheese is made,