Abilene weekly reflector., 1903-09-03
BULLETIN ON MILK.
The Agricultural Department Re-
ports About Milk In Cities.
The PROCESS OF PAsTEURIzATIOJ.


washington, Aug. 5l.--Tne 0gTlcul
tural department has made q contribu
tion to the general discussion on thu
quality Of milk supplied to cities in ths
shape Of o bulletin ON that subject, q
large part Of which is devoted to the
question Of transportation. The bull
letin says the agitation Of the ques-
tion Of impure milk has resulted In i'm
proved practices on the part Of per-
sons handling this article Of food, but
there 10 still much room for improve
ment. For instance, attention is called
to the fact that the ideal vessel for
the conveyance Of milk remains to be
discovered. There are many cities and
towns which have no legal regulations
whatever concerning milk The opin-
ion is expressed that the agitation of
the question has caused much unnec-
essary alarm. The figures show that
00,000,000 gallons Of milk are sold
annually, and the average quantity per
capita consumed daily In the largest
cities is somewhat Jess than two-thirds
of pint. The smallest consumption
is in New Orleans, where 1t is about
one-fourth Of pint. Milk 10 sold from
10000 stores In New York city, or an
average Of one store to every 2S6 per-
sons, and 1t is delivered from 1000
wagons. or an average of one wagon
to every S59 persons. In cities with
a population above $4,000 there Is an
average Of one wagon to about 784 per-
sons. Some cities report several thou
sand cows in herds within their
and most cities have quite
. number Of cows kept singly for the
private use Of the families owning
them.
The tables show a wide variation In
The prices paid for milk In different |
parts Of the country. Producers usual |
" receive on their farms from two to
three cents quart in the summer and |
three cents or more In winter, but |
.hese limits are often exceeded. On
he other hand, in some cases and in
'ome seasons, producers receive less
han two cents quart. The average
price paid by consumers Of milk when
'etailed In small quantities Is about
Jix cents in summer and seven cents
n winter.
The report says: "The practice Of
,asteurization appears to be gradually
yet the medical fraternity
3 divided in opinion as to Its expedi-
'ncy, and the best sentiment favors
natural milk produced and delivered
n such q pure and protected condition
Is to be greatly superior to any
article. Too often milk 10
'ffered for sale with the claim that
t has been pasteurized, when 1t has
een actually more harmed than
elped, the, process to which 1t has
een subjected being unworthy the
anne If done at all, pasteurization
hould be In the hands of competent
ersons, having efficient apparatus"
Many suggestions are made for the
Improvement of the milk supply,
mong which are the following: The
sgistration Of all dairies; Official in-
orsement Of properly conducted
Aries; inspection of all herds. barns,
airy buildings, ETC., once a month;
etter lighting, ventilation, drainage
nd cleanliness Of cows stables; white
ashing interior of stables; eradication
tuberculosis from dairy herds;
Of condemned cows; cows
ot to be given swill feed. etc.; cows
J be regularly cleaned; pasturage for
ty cows; aeration of milk in pure
r; prompt cooling Of milk and hold ,
g It at low temperature until final
'livery; shipment of milk from farms
'omptly after milking; delivery Of
ilk and cream in sealed packages.