Vermont Dairymen's Association. 141 



TEST OP MII.K. 



The testing of the milk is more of a proposition than is 

 weighing the milk. It involves the use of, but not the possession 

 of, a Babcock tester. It implies some little knowledge of sampling 

 and testing. Here again the time and effort needed to 

 this end may be minimized by making careful choice as to the 

 time of sampling and by co-operative testing. A thorough survey 

 of the mountain of data hitherto referred to (our herd is under 

 constant observation both as to the weight of milk and its test) 

 enables me to say with entire assurance that if properly taken 

 composite samples are analyzed twice a year essentially accurate 

 results are obtained. If a sample is taken when the cow is one 

 or two months along in lactation, and another when she is five 

 or seven months along in lactation (the five months' period being 

 safer for cows which go dry early) the average of the two 

 analyses will afford results which nine times in ten will be quite 

 close to those which are obtained when samples are frequently 

 taken. In other words, sampling and analyzing twice a year suf- 

 fices, provided samples are properly taken at proper times. 



Sampling the milk of a herd of twenty cows in this manner 

 may take four hours' time. The analyses may be made by the 

 dairyman himself if he cares to; or they made be made by the 

 creamery buttermaker for a small sum ; or some young man or 

 woman in the community may own a Babcock and do this work 

 at a financial profit to himself, and to the advantage of the dairy- 

 man; or, in exceptional circumstances, the Experiment Station 

 may handle the samples. With, then, weights of milk, and tests 

 in hand, the simplest mathematics will indicate the relative stand- 

 ing of the various animals, and whether or not they are failing 

 to make adequate return for the investment in food, care, etc. 



TEST 01? MILK. 



Composite samples, two in number during the year ; taken one 

 when cow is 1 to 2 months and one when 5 to 7 montlis in lactation. 

 Use average of the two. 



Analyze samples yourself ; or have creameryman do it ; or have 

 some neighbor do it. 



Apparatus. — Fruit jara, a gill dipper, formalin (to keep samples 

 sweet), Babcock tester and outfit. Total cost, ^5. 



