The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-03


There is no product from the farm which
is so apt to carry disease into the city as
milk, and it is necessary 70 take every pre-
caution by city authorities TO prevent the
spreading OF disease germs in this way.
Dairymen cannot be too careful in hand
ling their milk, and the more progressive
ones realize this fact so that the utmost
care Is given 10 this product during hot
weather. City consumers who are sure Of
getting clean, sweet, " holesome milk direct
from the dairy farm are willing 70 pay ex-
ira prices for 1t during the summer. 1t
pays 70 make reputation for your farm
OF sending nothing but the very best milk
TO market untainted and undii1ted.
II is doubtless true that many farmers
try their best 70 do this, but fail During
hot weather there are many things for the
milk producer TO contend with, for the air
is full OF germs, which viii faint the milk,
turn it sour, or change the havor. These
obstacles viii be largely removed BY being
scrupulously clean with the pans, pals
and other implements for holding the
milk. See also that the temperature OF
the milk is kept uniform throughout. and
beware of sudden atmospheric changes
All OF these precautions are necessary for
keeping milk clean and sweet for city use,
but they do not answer ali of the purposes.
One great fault with farmers and dairy
AACl II ~ kA4riE COWs W kAdLc Az
fields bordering upon low, marshy.
swampy places, or along the edges OF
muddy creeks. The animals viii Invari-
ably find stink weeds, poisonous grasses
and bushes, which they viii nibbie on and
swallow. Frequently they relish wild
flowers and grasses which gives to the
milk most bitter and disagreeable
get in such low wet places. the milk
cannot be of the first order. no matter
how much care is given TO il IN shipping il
TO market. Frequently wild grasses and
flowers of this nature get sown In the up
land pasture lots. and they are eaten along
with the good grasses The milk becomes
tainted in the same way, and its flavor
ruined. Too much care in keeping all
ncxious weeds aud grasses from the cows
can not be given TO the animals, and it is
one of the essentials of good milk pro-
dncing.
Another frequent cause of tainted milk
Is that Of the animals skin, which be-
comes diseased and poisoned through
neglect and hlthiness. The skin of the
animal is the most important secretory
organ OF the whole system. and it Is
through this that great deal of the
waste matter is carried off during hot
weather. If this is closed up with dirt
and impure matter. the waste material
must be thrown back into the blood and
lodged finally in the lungs, where efforts
are made by these organs TO unload IL
The breath becomes offensive, and the
kidneys are overworked, while the milk
becomes charged with the same impuri-
ties. This foul matter gives to the milk
what is called the animal odor Animals
that are not MIXED will suffer from dis
ease ii this Is allowed 10 continue, but
those that are being MIXED throw of so
much of the waste material through the
milk that they escape. In other animals
catarrh. influenza, grease in the heels,
CHAMBERS and other disorders follow.
To avoid ali this the skin needs good
treatment, especially in hot weather.
The card, eurrycomb and q stiff brush
should be used TO cleanse the skin fire.
quentiy. A little carbolated vaseline
worked IN with the brush would be of
great value in preventing skin diseases and
lice. When the old coat is shedding and
the new coming in such treatment is in
dispensable. and il will give the new hair
such start that it will be an effectual
warmth and cold protector TO the animal.
W. E. FARMER.