55} EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4 GEORGE V., A. 1914 



regarded as conclusive. Incidentally, it might be mentioned that the cows in practi- 

 cally all cases show absolute indifference to the machine, responding well to its 

 manipulation. 



While the machine has shown an economy of labour in the stable of fully 50 per 

 cent, this saving is considerably offset by the additional cost necessitated in the work 

 of scrupulously cleaning and sterilizing the inflations, tubes, containers and all 

 surfaces expose! directly to the milk. During the first six months, while the cleansing 

 was given more than ordinary care, the bacterial count of the machine-produced 

 milk averaged more than double that of clean hand milking. For the period during 

 which the figures given were obtained, the cleansing and sterilizing operations w i • 

 carried on with the aid of impr methods of wa shing, strictest attention t i 



sterilizing and added precaution in the manipulation of the machine. Equal precau- 

 tions were taken in hand milking. The figures indicate, however, a relatively high 

 tcterial count in the ease of the machine milk even under conditions a« mention ■ I 

 While the counts in both cases were very low, it must be remembered that the test 

 was conducted during cold weather under temperature conditions unfavourable to 

 bacterial growth. Later tests taken during warm weather have shown mar:: • I 

 increases in the bacterial content of the machine-produced milk. 



It is the intention of this Division to publish a complete report of this test during 

 the present fiscal year, as soon as sufficient data are at hand to warrant eomprehensi I 

 treatment. For the present, however, the situation may be summed up as follows. 



THE MECHANICAL METHOD OF MILKING. 



1. Is mechanically feasible, the main cost of renewal being for the rubber lining 

 of teat cups. 



2. Apparently exerts some influence in hastening the end of the lactation per: i i 



3. Is readily acceptable to the animal. 



4. Offers difficulties in the way of proper cleansing of machine. 



5. Makes difficult the production of low-count miik. 



6. Materially reduces the labour of milking, but greatly increases the prec n 

 ins and therefore the work necessary in the cleansing operations. 



DAIRY HERD RECORDS. 



The dairy cow milk records are reported upon by lactation periods rather than 

 according to the fiscal year, as has been done previous to the year 1911-12. This change 

 seemed advisable in that a cow's merits are usually calculated on a basis of her 

 production per lactation period. 



In the case of heifers with first calves, charges for feed include the consumption 

 from a date two months previous to parturition, to the time of being dried. In the 

 case of all following lactation periods the feed charges cover time from drying to 

 drying . 



In estimating the cost of feeding the following values were used : — 



Pasture, per month $ 1 per cow. 



Meal mixture 25 per ton. 



Clover hay 7 " " 



Straw 4 " " 



Roots and ensilage 2 " " 



Green feed 3 " " 



