The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1909-08-15

L
scribe any expensive or impracticable
methods of milk production; it is writ
ten with the purpose of setting before
the dairymen of this state a few of the
common-sense rules which should be
applied by the progressive dairymar
of today The certified milk farm Is
on a paying basis in many localities
but the field is at present limited be
cause the bulk of the consumers are
not yet educated up to paying fall
price for protection in dairy products
the average farmer, even II he were
able to dispose of his milk at a profit
able figure, probably could not afford
to start up in the certified" business
However, there are certain inexpen
sive methods which, if adopted, will
insure better product, and be money
savers in the end.
Until lately, milk has been practic
ally the only product on the market
that has not been sold on its merits
butter, cheese, cloth, lumber, and II
fact anything of which you can think
is graded as to quality; milk alone has
been peddled out by the quart, regard
less of it's merits. A change, however
can be seen of late; the customers
are beginning to look for the deptf
of the cream line" and for dirt ant
sediment in the bottom of the bottles
Here is a chance for man handling
clean, honest goods to step in anc
take the trade from his careless, un
scrupulous competitor. The consum
err is awakening to the Importance OF
clean milk, and with his education
will come a willingness to pay better
prices for better goods.
Now Just word as to the scope
of the Dairy and Food Department OF
the State, and it's relation to the
Dairymen. The work is primarily
that of cooperation and instruction
| the chief aim of the Department is t.
build up and strengthen the dairy in
terest in this state, and this is accom-
| plished by protecting both producer
| and consumer. The producer is pro
| tected by the laws necessitating the
| labelling of the products which com
| pete with farm produce at cheaper
rates, such as oleomargarine and reno
waited or process" butter; the homes
| dairyman is also protected from I'm
scrupulous rivals by prosecutions o.
fraud, such as the sale of adulteratet
milk. butter or cheese. The consumer
is protected by laws which compel the
| sanitary handling of dairy products
There is mistaken idea among some
people that there is very often hare
feeling between the dairymen and the
inspectors; the vast majority OF the
farmers realize that the inspectors dt
not go out to criticise and condemn
but to advise and help. or course,
man is occasionally encountered who
clings to the old notions, and is hostile
to all innovations, and here stronger
methods have to be used to gain com
pliance with the regulations; such
man, nine times out of ten, is one who
is standing still financially as well
1t is needless to say that it is vital!
necessary that the inspectors be prac
tical men, who can take a practica
view of the problems confrontin,
dairymen.
The laws which govern the produc
ton of milk are simple and easil.
| followed; careful analysis of then
will show that they not only serve II
protect, but are also based on prin
ciples which are economical to TIT
producer. They may be divided int
two classes: those concerning thu
chemical constituents, and those gov
erning the far more important subjec
of cleanliness.
A very brief discussion of the frs
class will he sufficient Where mill