Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-08-31


post on the right of the stanchion, and this
post is pivoted at the top and bottom so the
mixer can swing horizontally, with addi-
tional provisions for raising or lowering the
whole. This enables the operator to carry
the machine 10 the udder of the COW stand
ing in any position possible while held by
the stanchion, and adjustable to a COW OF
any form and size. The part of the milker
extending from the post may be called the
arm and the portion in contact with the nd
der the hand The arm has compound
joints, like the elbow and wrist, to help
place the hand properly and keep it in place.
The hand carries four diaphragm exhaust
pumps and above each pump is teat-cup.
These cups are much better adapted to their
purpose than those made for previous ma
chimes of this kind they are made of rings
of hard rubber, like the travelling or picnic
ring drinking cups, and not only can be
slipped up over the outside of teats Of ,un-
equal size so as to fit all and hold them
closely, but are arranged to do their work
whether the teats are far apart or close to-
gether As each teat-cup acts independently
of the rest, the four may be MIXED atonce,
or any one or more separately without
changing the machine at all. The mixer
has thus the important provisions for en-
abling it to be used upon double-teat,d or
three-teated cows and those which give a re
milk from some "quarters than from
others. Adjusted to the udder, the fly-vheel
is started, the pumps act and the milk is
drawn, internationally, like calf-sucking and
hand milking, from one teat or more, two
on a side two across, or all four at once.
The milk from the four pumps flows into
single flexible tube, which passes along un-
der the arm and enters a large can set in
the floor near the foot of the post support
ing the mixer. The can is closed; no air
comes in contact with the milk the udder
being well cleaned to begin with, more
cleanly process of milking is impossible.
The person operating the machine has per-
feet control of its varied actions without
disturbing the COW. One hand, If there be
no power, will turn the wheel, while with the
other lever can be worked in connection
with link gearing, so as to give the =" hand "
vertical or lateral motion, thus boxing the
udder in a manner very closely resembling
the natural action of a sucking calf. There
are other details of the machine which can
not be well described Indeed, this descrip-
tion necessarily imperfect, and in length will
give an idea of a much more complicated
apparatus than Durands mixer appears to
be when examined and used.
The machine is simple in its mechanism
as a whole and in parts 1t can be kept
clean easily, washing in cold water. and is
not liable to get out of order. From three
to five minutes suffice to milk COW with
this implement an average of four minutes,
adjustment and all. As TO its work can
only say that it has at different stages of its
construction been tested by use upon
numerous cows and found to draw all the
milk, to do it quickly and without more
opposition on the part Of the COW than is
usually manifested when strange mixer,
man or maid, appears in the stables. Aud
yet it remains to be proved that this, or any
other machine-milker, can be used con
stantly without injury to the cows.
Arthur A. Durand, the inventor, is very
confident Of success. He has expended
much time and money on this machine aud
is determined to persevere till he produce,
something that will fully satisfy American
ualrymeu. IL envuiu uc uuuerstouu una
this mixer has never yet been perfected, in
the opinion of its maker, and never Offered
for sale. A few years ago Mr.. Durant
thought he had nearly reached perfection
and locating himself at Auburn, New York
he arranged for finishing number to place
on trial, with view to soon manufacturing
and putting them in the market. A disas
trous fire then swept away all his materials
and patterns and crippled his enterprise fol
time. lie is now in New York, just get
ting upon his business feet again, and the
mixer will soon receive further attention
The stanchion-machine will probably cos
$50. A smaller utensil ON the same princi
pie is contemplated by Mr.. Durand, and
have seen one used in an incomplete state
to be operated without a stauchion, tn
mixer sitting and working it by two handle
moved by both hands horizontally. Thi
will cost 80.
But, Notwithstanding all the time ex
pended to secure successful mechanical
mixer, there is no such thing in actua
daily use yet All the COWS in the countr
are still MIXED in the old-fashioned way
and they will be for years to come. Some
day, however, there will be a practical milk
! ing machine in every well-equipped dairy.