New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-11
CITYS MILK SUPPLY.
Immense Quantity and Uhere It
Comes From. -

The four millions Of people in New-York City
consume daily Of milk and cream not less than
19Ooooo quarts, and TO supply this quantity
or MIX 1t is estimated that not less than 100000
cows are required. While 81 per cent Of this
milk comes from the State OF Nev-York sr,aIIs-
quantities are shipped from Western Connecticut
and Massachusetts Northern New-Jersey and
from Northeastern Pennsylvania The problem
Of handling so large quantity OF milk is natur-
ally a great one. The day of the small dealer
seems to be rapidly passing. and at the present
time is said that between 50 and 80 per cent
of the milk used in this city is handled by 125
dealers One OF these dealers SAYS that there
is a growing sentiment in favor OF the large
corporations. because the laTeer they become the
more reputation and capital they have at stake
and hence the more reason for being trust
worthy.
The premium paid for superior milk is tending
more and more to increase the care with which
milk is produced Milk produced from healthy
cattle. under approved sanitary conditions. is
certified by association OF physicians and
certified milk commands an extra price. II is
produced in airy. well ventilated barns. and
soon as drawn is cooled to IS degrees Such
milk never exceeds 5000 bacteria TO the cubic
centimeter, and frequently runs as low as 1900
while unsanitary milk is said 10 run above 1Oo.-
coo. In the case of one OF the largest corpora
tons producing milk for the city. there are a
number of prohibited foods for the cows. The
stables must be thoroughly lighted and venti-
lated and whitewashed at least once a year,
Besides the precautions OF dealers to secure
Clean good milk. health officers are continually
on the alert 10 detect the more fragrant viola
tions of the ordinary rules of care and cleanli-
ness. IF a we'll is found too near the stable,
says George NJ. Whitaker in the report of the
United States Department Of Agriculture, when
the surroundings dirty or when the COWS
are kept in dark. filthy stables there is official
action.
To gather up the milk required 10 supply the
great cities OF the country hundreds of wagon
lines are in operation Throughout the contiguous
territory Usually the milk must be delivered by
9 O'Clock, varying, of course 10 meet the arrival
of the milk train. AS stands near a. ship
ping station in the morning. says a bulletin OF
the United States Department OF Agriculture. he
viii see every conceivable kind OF vehicle drive
up TO the station door. Some have one horse,
others have two and still others have four. As
a rule the wagons have no particular facilities
for keenine the milk cool I'm summer except- a
canvas thrown over the load. The farmers
usually own the cans used in the delivery OF
their milk. When the cans empted at the
creamery they are rinsed. washed and then
scalded with steam. thus rendering them sterile
In a few minutes after the farmer reaches the
station with his milk il has been unloaded and
clean cans returned TO him
In some localities the farmers live as far
twelve miles from the creamery. and in such
cases there is a different system for getting the
milk 10 the central depot The collector has a
specially built wagon, which will carry forty
cans These collectors are nOminally employed
by the farmers. but ordinarily the amount due
them is deducted from the farmers check at the
creamery, where the collector gets his payment
The usual price for collecting milk Is about 10
cents for hundred pounds. the amount vary
ing somewhat according TO distance and local
conditions. Just before the collector is due in
the morning the farmer takes the milk from tbs
cooling tank and places the cans on a littls
roadside platform from which the collector takes
them. Sometimes the farmer does not live on a
road over which the collector passes. In such
case the producer meets the collector at tho
junction of the roads. When milk is transported
long distances in wagons there are facilities for
and sometimes the milk is also
iced en- route. Some OF the contracts with tbs
buyers require the use of wagons with springs
in transporting the milk 70 the creamery.