DAIRYING. 21 



the centrifugal separators are working in more and more rapidly ; 

 and that, unless some other and better mechanism supersedes 

 them, their use is bound to increase in a geometrical ratio. 



I want to say a word concerning the "dilution separators" so 

 called, better called the "delusion separators," which have been 

 sold largely, I am sorry to say, through our state and through 

 Northern New York. The device consists of a tin can, with 

 some more or less useless internal fixture, into which the dairy- 

 man is invited to pour his milk and as much water. The cream 

 quickly separates, and the diluted skim milk may be removed. 

 Many experiment stations have tested them, and seldom if ever 

 have they been found to skim better than does the old fashioned 

 shallow pan. The very advertisements, often ill spelled, ill 

 worded, couched in wretched grammar and worse taste, do not 

 claim for the "separators" that they will skim closer than 0.40 

 per cent. The wording of the statements often carefully conceals 

 this fact, but it is there nevertheless. 



Again, the advertisements say that the diluted skim-milk is 

 better for the pigs than is the undiluted product. If half water 

 and half skim-milk is to be preferred to straight skim-milk, then 

 all water and no skim-milk ought to be better yet. The dilution 

 separator cans may do nicely as wash boilers, or in some such 

 way, but they are inefficient milk separators. 



Dairymen commonly believe that they can alter the quality, 

 or per cent of fat in the milk, by feeding. There do not lack 

 good reasons for this delusion (for it is a delusion) since it often 

 happens that changes in feeding do bring about temporary alter- 

 ations in the quality of milk, and these temporary changes have 

 deceived the farmers. Let us again refer to the Bible. You all 

 remember the statement which tells us that no one can by taking 

 thought add one cubit to his stature. In other words, one can by 

 no method of human ingenuity change certain of the effects of 

 heredity. The quality of milk a cow gives is born into her, is 

 bred in her by the work of the men who have for generations bred 

 along certain lines. On the islands of Guernsey or Jersey, on the 

 highlands of Scotland, and down among the lowlands of Holland 

 are bred specific kinds of cows which have been raised with 

 specific things in mind. The Dutch have been breeding large, 

 heavy eaters, giving large amounts of milk, breeding for quantity 



