Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-08-25
Improxement of Milk Supply.


The movement for purer and
more wholesome milk supply is reach
ing many cities and will result in the
elimination of many herds from the pres
ent number supplying the milk trade.
1t is probable that no article of human
food has been placed upon the market
that depends so much for its healthful-
ness upon conditions surrounding its
production as milk, and when we reflect
that larger proportion of it is consum-
ed in its natural state, without cooking,
which is so effectual in destroying dis
ease germs if they exist, we are appall-
ed at the dangers that may lurk in the
milk supply. There is no doubt that
the conditions that surround the milk
supply are in some instances abonomina-
bly, bad, and too stringent rules regard
ing the matter cannot be established and
enforced.
The chief danger lies in the matter of
filthy stables, filthy mixers and filthy
handling of the product. We do not
make any sweeping charge in this direc-
ton against milk producers in general,
for we believe the agitation of the sub
ject in the past has resulted in cleanly
conditions upon many milk-producing
farms, but there ought not to be single
farm supplying milk for market upon
which conditions are not right. There
ought not to be any dark, filthy, i'll
ventilated stables or foul vehicles in
which feed for the herd is carried or the
product sent to market. There should
be no milk sent to market from animals
diseased in any form, or that are allowed
no exercise or sunshine.
The course to be pursued in fastening
this movement for more healthy milk lies
in the frequent and most rigid inspection
of all herds and stables where milk is
produced, by fearless officials. The
license fee paid by milk dealers should be
sufficient to enable this to be done, but
if not sufficient some method should be
adopted that will make such a course
possible. This movement is naturally
promoted by those representing the con-
sumers of milk, for they are most in
terested in the purity of the supply, but
it will not be impeded by sensible milk
producers. Every effort that tends to
increase the public confidence in the
in healthfulness of the milk supply
increases the demand for milk, and the
greater the demand the better the price.
While there are many otherwise fastid-
ious persons who drink milk in most any
condition and swallow all sorts OF filth
in doing so, there are many people who
never drink milk on account OF their
suspicion regarding its quality. Some
of the latter would become liberal con-
sumers of milk were they convinced of
the cleauly conditions under which it
was produced and handled.
An exchange says that gradually out
too slowly there are coming into exist
ence sources of unusually pure, whole
some milk supply. In these modern up
to-date establishments the stable floors
are kept scrupulously clean, the ventlla-
ton is perfect, the animals are carded
daily. given wholesome food and SUI
ficient exercise. The milk is drawn
from the cows by men with clean hands,
dressed in clean white suits, and always
required to be in this condition when
attending to their duties in the dairy
stable at milking time. The milk is
kept in clean utensils that have been
washed, steamed and aired so as to de-
stroy all bacteria. The cows are exam
ined regularly by veterinarian and
none allowed TO remain in the herd that
are not in perfect health. OF course
all this extra labor and expense must
be met by higher price for the product
for it costs more to produce milk under
these conditions than under the con-
ditions prevailing upon some farms.
The essence of the matter is keeping
filth of every form out of the milk and
then handling it in such a way as to
cause it to reach the consumer in the
same condition. We think the discrim-
mating consumer will be willing to per-
form his part in this transaction-that rs,
paw a reasonable price for such milk
when the regulations made and enforced
guarantee such milk.
First of all there is needed a great edu-
cational campaign with city milk con-
sumers, who must be brought fully to
realize what an easy vehicle milk is for
disease and filth and how many are
themselves daily consuming this stun
and giving it to their children. Next
they must be shown that pure, clean,
wholesome milk is an expensive product,
and if they wish to obtain it they must
paw more than they are giving for that
usually supplied. When there is a
demand for this high-grade milk it will
be entirely met by milk producers,
though there is also need OF education
on that side of the great subject.-Mir-
ror and Farmer.