, 1923-05-30
Retain QUALITY
OF MILK SUPPLY
During Warm Weather Every
Means Must Be Taken to
Prevent Contamination.
FLIES AND DUST INJURIOUS
Producer Should Have All Manure
Heaps Removed and Fill In All
Low PIace-lmportant That
Plant Be Kept Clean.

| Prepared by the United States Department
| of Agricultural
Summer Is the most strenuous sea-
son for those engaged in the dairy
business, both producers and distribu-
tors. and at the same time greater re-
sp~onsibillty rests on the consumer to
keep the milk or cream wholesome
after It has been delivered. Great are
Is necessary at all seasons to supply
safe and pleasing products, but during
warm weather every means must be
taken to prevent contamination and
keep down the temperature, from the
time milk Is drawn from the COW I'M
til 1t Is consumed. The presence Of
flies and dust, and the rapid multiple
cation of bacteria due to heat. are the
chief summer difficulties.
Where Responsibility Rests.
The responsibility for a good, clean.
palatable product rests almost equally
on producer, distributor and consumer,
says the United States Department Of
Agriculture in calling attention to the
Importance Of preventive measures,
many Of which may be taken at once
on farms and In milk plants.
There are many ways in which the
milk producer may prepare to meet
the adverse conditions of summer, say
the department. To reduce the num-
Der of flies and keep the cows clean
he should have all the manure heaps
removed this spring. Low places in
the yards may be filled in to prevent
the formation Of puddles. Screens
should be repaired before flies arrive.
Fly traps and poison, II used early In
the season, will help to reduce the
number Of the pests later In the sum-
mer. Sterillzing equipment and coolers
should be in good condition. so there
will be little danger Of their being out
of use at any time during the hot
weather. 1t is particularly important
that dairymen sterilize strainer cloths,
often a prolific source Of contamina-
ton.
MIX distributors are urged to pre-
pare for the danger months by giving
the plant and surroundings a thorough
cleaning. by fixing the screens. paint
Ing machinery and fixtures so that II
will be easier to keep them clean. re-
placing worn parts, and making sure
Of a plentiful supply Of ice. The dealer
Is also reminded that he can do a
great deal to improve the milk supply
by urging producers to take precau-
tons against contamination and to
provide for rapid cooling.
important Work Of Consumer.
The consumer can do his part In a
number Of ways. The most important,
perhaps. is the taking in of the bottles
from the doorstep before the milk or
cream has become warm. The next
thing is to keep. II cold until the time
for use. The more milk Is poured
from n contalner into another the
more chances for contamination, and
for that reason II Is best to keep II In
the original container until all OF II Is
used. The cap should be kept on the
bottle or the contents should be pro-
tected by covering the bottle with an
Inverted tumbler. The consumer will
help n great deal by cleaning the bot
ties and returning them promptly to
the dealer. MIX bottles should not be
used for anything except milk or
cream, as It is very difficult to rid
them Of foreign odors and tastes. II
goes almost without saying that a
clean refrigerator is an important fac
o In keeping milk ~good-havored and
wholesome.