With 1 Figure)SYNOPSIS 1 ntroduGtion Reasons for and objects of the experiment-standards of technique-lay-out of experiments Statistical treatmentChoice of unit for keeping quality and methylene-blue tests and for plate counts-reasons for using log of plate count Experiment I Object (general comparison)-statistical treatment-comparison of grading-correlationseffect of winter weather on methylene-blue test-effect of cold storage of sample-resultslinearity-effect of fat content-of coliform content-summary Experiment II Object (reproducibility between laboratories)-tests employed-results of fat tests-plate counts-keeping quality-reduction time at 15-5° C.-reduction time at 37° C.-summary Experiment III Object (relationship to production conditions)-score card-results-effect of seasonsummary Sensitivity ExperimentObject-lay-out-general relationships-comparative variability of plate count and methylene-blue test-variability and level of mean-significant difference between two samplesgrouping error-sensitivity tests-accuracy and sensitivity-regression equations and linearity-corresponding values of plate count and reduction time-sensitivity by regression-' t' tests, on groups of ten results and on fifteen random selected results-conclusions -summary Adde)idum I. Normality of distribution of replicates Addendum II. x 2 values Addendum III. Comparative variability of plain agar and milk agar-incubation at 32 and 37° C. Addendum IV. Method of assessing reported count Addendum V.