The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-03-01
Are Yeu Producing Clean MIX

Maine dairymen have much to be
| congratulated on. Maine produces
| more milk than any other New Eng
land state but one. Probably Maine
milk Is freer from disease than any
other New England state. Figures
show that Maine cows rank among
the first as having less tuberculosis
among the states east Of Mississip-
pi River. But in spite of these facts
many producers. through carelessness
or neglect, are not living up to the
reputation which Maine dairymen
have established. Let us all work
together TO make Maine milk superior
to any other In the world.
Perhaps the greatest trouble which
is being encountered today in the
production of milk is in preventing
the entrance of dirt. Milk is prob
ably our most necessary food. 1t is
also one OF the most difficult foods
to distribute to the consumer in
clean and wholesome condition on ac-
count OF its source of production and
poor keeping qualities.
Milk as it comes from the COW is
free from dirt and comparatively free
from disease producing or otherwise
harmful bacteria. The entrance of
dirt starts rs soon as the milk leaves
the udder. Bacteria and dirt enter
the milk even before it reaches the
pail and the enemies Of clean milk are
ever waiting to pounee upon it. BY
far the greatest danger OF milk be-
coming contaminated by tuberculosis
Ia 4. rtf nj If
entering the milk.
Fortunately these enemies are cas-
lily warded off by little attention at
the proper time. Two points of con-
tact where dirt meets milk are easily
prevented; first, by keeping COWS
TANKS, udders and tail clean, wiping
before mi king, and second, by use
Of the hooded pail Consider that
1t is "a ming drops Of milk into your
milk pail. An open top pail will per-
nit the maximum amount of rain to
entor while the hooded pail should al
low practically none.
Dirty milk is mn indication of care
lessness on the part OF the producer.
There 10 one step In the care In pro-
duction that has been neglected or
which decreases the demand.
overlooked. IL has been the observ-
alton Of the dairy division that the
large majority of samples of dirty
milk taken are those strained through
cheese cloth strainer. In the past
the cheese cloth strainer has been
widely used and 1t is to a large ex-
tent used today. 1t should be con-
demned. Work carried ON by the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture shows that more sediment will
be washed through eight thicknesses
of cheese cloth than one thickness of
filter cloth or cotton pad. Cotton
pad is rapidly coming into use. 1t
is LEGS expensive than cheese cloth,
az the cheese cloth must be washed
and boiled after each milking to keep
out bacteria and dirt. ~
Not only is dirty milk hard 10 sell
on tho market but 1t is likely to con-
tain a. larger number of bacteria.
Bacteria, cling to dirt particles. Many
Of These fare the agents which set mp
the SQUIRTING process. In mix |, This
means .ldsses 10 itAe producer either
directly, becanse Ibis product has
been reused, or Indirectly, because
the creamery has lost on, account, Of
the product, snuiing and must either
charge It TO the producer as a whole.
or raise the price to the consumer