94 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Experiments to determine what can be accomplished by the use 

 of the best sanitary methods of producing and handling milk have 

 been apphod practically among the dairymen supplying milk and 

 cream to the Grove City creamery. As a result, the patrons are 

 beginning to realize the importance of sanitary requirements, the 

 sterilization of milk utensils, the use of smaU-top milk pails, clean 

 udders, and prompt and proper cooling of milk and cream. 



MILK-PLANT MANAGEMENT. 



As a result of studies in milk-plant management, seven accounting 

 forms have been prepared which it is believed will materially assist 

 owners of milk plants by providing simpler and more accurate 

 methods of keeping accounts. Milk plants in 23 cities have been 

 visited either to collect data or to render assistance. Considerable 

 assistance was given also to farmers' cooperative milk-distributing 

 companies, both in the planning of plants and in the selection of 

 eciuipment, and advice was furnished to numerous owners of milk 

 plants as to more efficient methods of conducting their business. 

 Estimates of the cost of operating plants and of the handling and 

 delivery of milk, and plans for milk plants and lists of equipment 

 have been sent out in response to inquiries. 



COST OF MILK PRODUCTION. 



Investigations of the cost of producing milk have been completed 

 after two 3^ears' work at a locality in North Carolina and at one in 

 northern Indiana, while others are in progress in Vermont, Nebraska, 

 Louisiana, and Washington. So far, only the Indiana results have 

 been tabulated, but they are believed to be typical of the general 

 region supplying whole milk to Chicago. The records bring out 

 strikingly the relationship of various debit and credit factors to the 

 total cost of production. Next to feed, an item which demands the 

 closest attention is manure. The method of handling this valuable 

 fertilizer is often an important factor in the net profit. By atten- 

 tion to the four following factors it was found possible to reduce 

 appreciably the cost of production: (1) Raising the average produc- 

 tion per cow, (2) reducing the quantity of concentrates fed to low 

 producers, (3) substituting legume roughage for part of the con- 

 centrates, and (4) more careful handling of the manure. 



DAIRY RESEARCH LABORATORIES 



BACTERIOLOGY. 



Much fundamental research work has been carried on which is 

 applicable to other industries as well as dair34ng. This is particu- 

 larly true of some of the bacteriological investigations which have 

 given an insight into the physiology and relationships of bacteria 

 and which have developed new methods of study. For the most 

 part this work is of so technical a nature that it is of interest only 

 to laboratory workers, but the results eventually lead to improved 

 methods of great value in practical work. For example, a study 

 of the sources from which bacteria can obtain the carbon needed 

 for their growth has led to an improved medium for the direct enu- 

 meration of fecal bacteria in milk and water. The methods of 



