Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-09-01
STATE HOUSE.
Article on ''Sanitary Milk"
Well Worth Reading.
York County Power Co. Organ.
lied Under Special Statute.
Names July Fire Loss Small Com.
pared with Loss In 1912.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Regular Meeting Of Governor and
Council, Thursday, Sept. 10, 1918, 10
A. M,

| The current issue Of the quarterly
| bulletin of the department of agricul-
| ture. which is devoted TO the investi-
| cation of dairy products, contains
| among other matter, the following val
| liable article by Dairy and Milk In
| speetor Smith on the subject of San
| ltary Milk" which should not only be
carefully read by dairymen and farm
| Frs, but by the public III general:
THE amount of sediment in milk is
| ne indication Of it's sanitary condition,
| for dirt in milk is not only unsightly
| and unpalatable, but also may be very
| dangerous because of the number and
| kinds Of bacteria associated with 1t.
| every bit of dust and manure, and ev :
| Try hair from the udder and flank of
4 COW, falling into the milk will carry
With 1t bacteria that are undesira BILE.
Dirty milk always has high bacterial
content. and these bacteria may be ii
uch nature as to cause diseases, and
specially intestinal diseases in chill
iren.
Liquid. as we'll as sslid impurities.
may be present and detected by the
Ddor, but if the sediment is presen.
eliminate such contamination is at
nee shown.
Many dairymen know that their
milk contains sediment and for the
most part they try to remedy this
'ault when it comes to their attention.
out the general dissemination of the
onsuming public to properly reward
hm for his extra precautions proves
o be a stumbling block to him as we'll
rs To any system of inspection that de-
sires improvement
Ten cents a quart is not an unusual
)rice and clean milk is Well worth it.
The customary idea that as long as
milk has been bought since the early
l0's for six or seven cents a quart ii
must still be bought at sihat price,
must not be considered when the pres
ent problems of the dairyman are
Known. Good cows can no longer be
bought for $4,000 To $4,000 a piece, and
by putting what cows he has on a
book excepting basis the present aver
lge dairy farmer has to figure close
cor a net profit.
Producing sanitary milk and con-
iucting dairy farm successfully are
some hat of problem for man of
brains, and his reward must consist of
payment consistent with his efforts.
The plea is often made that the gem
raj public. and especially the poor
r class of people, cannot reward
producer of sanitary milk for his eX-
ira preca utions and in his demands
he is often severely criticised, perhaps
p1p1nCe mill 9 sl1ph a
ticle of food. For those who are in
need. and especially mothers, our large
communities establish free distribut-
ing stations where the best milk can
ne obtained. The fact that the public
in general is not aware of the actual
food value of clean milk is well borne
out when so many pay five and ten
cents for soda fountain beverage,
nearly devoid of food value and then
refuse To pay the same amount for
milk which is a food and which it
costs much more to produce and de-
liver.
The demand for clean milk is
gradually taking place of the old de-
mand for milk rich in cream, re-
CARELESS of its cleanliness: especially
is this true when il is to be considered
as a part of the food for babies, and
anxious parents seek for a proper and
safe supply.
The milking pail used on the ma
Jority of Maine farms has no cover
ing over ii to keep hairs and dust from
falling in. Up-to-date dairymen know
that it is far easier and more eco
nOfnip1l nr
dirt than it is to spend useless time
trying to strain out what has entered
The covered. or hooded, milk pail has
demonstrated beyond II doubt that it
is big factor in securing clean milk,
although it has been adopted too slow
ly by our dairymen.
1t is not necessary to provide eX-
pensive stables and appliances to pro-
duce clean milk. but every farmer and
dairyman can, with very little addi-
tlonal equipment and extra labor, pro-
duce milk containing almost no sedi-
ment. BY the use of small-top milk
ing pals and by ordinary care IN
cleaning the stables, the cows and the
utensils and by keeping the mixers
clean, the amount of dirt that enters
the milk can be reduced to a minimum,
making straining unnecessary.
The straining or clarifying Of milk
does not materially increase it's keep
ing quality, but it improves the APP
rearance. Contamination such as dirt.
manure and bad doors from the stable,
will always leave their effect. no mat
ter how the milk is subsequently
treated
Contaminated milk is by far more
dangerous than contaminated water, as
the germs that multiply rapidly in milk
would be without food in water
Dirt and germs in the milk are in
dications of danger and should serve
as a warning that must be needed. If
such teachings are needed, unlimited
use If milk can be resumed with mu-
tnal advantage to producer distributor
and consumer
The consumer must understand that
the farmer and distributor must Re paid
for their efforts to comply with modern
requirements. The consumer will re-
ccive safe milk for his slight additional
outlay that is justly due. This outlay
will pyantually he muph loss than II, a