Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-11-27
Milk Scoring Contests

The last number of the bulletin enti-
tied The Investigation of Dairy
Products" issued by the State de-
partment of agriculture contains a
very interesting article concerning the
milk scoring contests which have
been held at our State fairs and the
State Dairy conferences. Those who
read the article will see at once the
value of these contests which are
year by year becoming more popular
with the dairymen of the State
The article reads as follows:
"One of the most important foods is
milk. 1t needs intelligent constant
care from the COW to the consumer. 1t
is the feed OF practically every child at
some period during its early life. 1t is
one of the most economical and, If
properly handled, one of the best foods
on our markets. The qualities that
make it valuable as food also are
conducive to the growth of bacteria,
and constant care, watehfulness and
precaution must be practiced if safe
food is to be had.
This care and attention must be
intelligent, for II is only the intelli-
gent person who can appreciate the
care needed to keep milk pure and
safe.
THE obtaining of a safe milk sup
ply depends upon the elimination Oh
the indiscriminate producer by strin-
gent methods and the education ano
gradual enlightenment of the produc-
err who wishes to learn how to produce
clean safe milk. The education should
not stop here, however, for the con-
sumner must be taught to appreciate
clean safe milk and how to keep II
clean and safe after receiving 1T.
milk scoring contests have been
held at our State fairs, and at the
state dairy conferences. The dairymen
have made a special effort and have
brought high scores when a critical
score card was applied to their prod
net. The high standard set causes an
extra effort to secure a clean PROD
net low in bacteria count and is edu-
cational and conducive to better re-
suits. 1t shows the dairyman exactly
what he can do If he sets out to DO
1t and such contests will continue to
do good for the dairymen who ex-
hibit. The members of a progressive
COW testing association in this state
held a nnilwk scoring contest some
time ago. Later they held another
and the Improvement because OF the
use OF the covered milk pals alone
was sufficient to make their use COM
mon in that community. One of the
members whose product scored very
low. at the first contest, improved TO
such an extent as to win . cream sep
orator at the waterville fair Tor the
highest scoring dairy products
"such contests are helpful to those who
win exhibit. but the men who really need
help are those who have not exhibited
The everyday score and quality OF the
product is what should count. Scoring
contests that compelled the local dealers
In some communities to submit their pro-
duct to the critical score card for quail
ity and bacteria content would result In
a betterment of conditions and exposure
Of bad conditions.
"I.ocal boards of health in some sec
lions of the country have adopted such
surprise contests and have awarded suit
able prizes to the highest scoring pro-
Queer.
with the help of competent judges
local boards of health may we'll consider
a series of surprise milk scoring con-
tests to determine the status OF Its milk
supply according to the best known
standards