290 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



pliue thoin on the stiaiiit-r ami jtoiir tlie milk over thom, ami (hen conclude that 

 none of the lilth on their surfaces found its way into the strained milk. The hair on 

 the strainer is simjilv washed of all its (11th and bacteria, which in turn find their way 

 into the strained milk. After the hair has been washed thorouj^hly, its presence in milk 

 cannot be considered so undesirable. Many people are sickened because a hair is found 

 in the milk, but are able to withstand the formidable appearance of an eighth of an 

 inch of tilth at the bottom of the glass. 



It is not an uncommon sight to see a handful of hair on <a strainer. The importance 

 of grooming in lemoving tiie loose hairs from the body of the cow, and the coarse dirt, 

 as well as the necessity of keeping the udder damp while milking, may be easily grasped 

 in this connection. 



Particles of manure or dirt are equally rich in microbial life. From two or three 

 millions to seventy or eighty millions of micro-organisms liave been found in one gram 

 (fifteen grains) of dung or stable dirt. Renk, in liis investigations of milk delivered 

 to cities, points out that most of the dirt found in milk is composed of dung and as 

 much as six grains of dry dirt has been found in each quart estimated on a basis of 

 eighty per cent water content. Other estimations are much lower, but it is not difficult 

 to ascertain the germ content by this means. Dirt falling into milk is partially dis- 

 solved and much of it is held in very tine suspension, consequently when a layer of 

 black filth is found at the bottom of a can, we form only an approximately accurate 

 opinion of the condition of the milk. 



Many, perhaps more than two-thirds, dairymen furnish milk which is rich in the 

 deposits of filth at the bottom when allowed to stand. Even nearly all of the third 

 remaining cannot boast their milk absolutely free from such a deposit. Accordingly, 

 our ideas of cleanliness must remain somewhat stunted in the face of this deplorable 

 condition and we are forced to go on in the knowledge of the risks involved with little 

 hope of immediate change. A study of straw and fine filamentous substances floating 

 about the barn or stable, especially when the bedding or hay is disturbed, yield 

 practically the same results as obtained from the study of hair. In this popular ac- 

 count it will be unnecessary to repeat what may be found in the previous discussion 

 of cow hairs. However, this item cannot be disregarded or considered of less import- 

 ance than many others, for it doubtless has a great significance in the securing of pure 

 milks. The author places straws and fine filamentous substances on the same footing 

 as hairs, such as indicated by his experiments. 



There can be no greater problem to solve in connection with the building of a dairy 

 barn under the present systems than the selection of a suitable stall. Jiliminating 

 all other essentials than that of cleanliness, this alone would be sufficient to make the 

 selection exceedingly precarious. Cleanliness is the only feature which will be of any 

 interest in this review, for upon this is based the relation of the stall to pure milks. 



It is easily guessed that the dirt found on the sides of a stall is only a composition 

 of what has been analyzed in the preceding paragraphs, existing usually in a dried 

 state. The cows rub against the stalls in scratching themselves and always leave more 

 or less dust and dirt behind them. Their tails are switching about, scattering filth in 

 every direction, the stalls are the most common obstacle in the way and therefore 

 receive the major part of the filth. The dust is constantly settling in the stable and 

 finding lodgment on the sides of the stalls or in the crevices. When the milker 

 approaches and crowds into the stall, or the animal happens to strike the stall, a 

 cloud of invisible dust particles is aroused, the atmosphere becomes loaded with un- 

 wholesome material and it becomes impossible to obtain clean milk. Xot infrequently 

 the milker so manipulates himself and pail in pushing his way into the stall that 

 comparatively large pieces of this dried filth on the stall find their way into the pail. 

 Again, it is customary after the milker sits down to the cow to move about more or 

 less, and if the stall is a complete partition his back is in contact constantly, stirring 

 up the adherent dirt. 



A half partition is preferable to a full partition stall, and no stall is preferable to 

 a half partition stall, so far as cleanliness is concerned, under ordinary conditions. 

 It may be just as well to brush against a stall as against another cow, but either 

 should be avoided. If a half stall could be used, made from gas piping and kept 

 perfectly clean, the danger arisinar from it would be reduced to the minimum, yet far 

 from perfection. It is an exceedingly difficult matter to construct a stall which will 

 meet other requirements and at the same time meet the requirement of cleanliness. 



The floor should be damp, but perfectly clean and free from bedding during milking. 

 A dirt floor cannot be made clean, and a plank floor is very difficultly cleaned. The 

 cement or asphalt floor is the best suited to cleanliness, but these must be flushed 



