1)0() KXTKRIMENT STATION KECUKD. 



Contribution to tnc study of the influence of milking- on the composition 

 of milk, I.. LKi-oi-i'iih: (/,'///. A</r. [ A'n/.sw/.s] , /o [UK).',), .V<». 7, /<y/. .'//-//7 ).— Tlie 

 iiifhu'iict' i)f (liffci-i'iit iiu'tliixls tif iiiilkiiit^ upun the tat cinitciit, of tin: milk was 

 studied in experiiiii'iit.s with 4 cuvvs. When each (jiiartcr of the udder was uiilketl 

 separately the fat t'outent of the milk from the ((uartcr uiilked lirst was ahiiost 

 invariably hijjher than that of the milk from the (juarter milked last. For instance, 

 the jtercentuge of fat in the milk from the posterior right, anterior right, i)osterior 

 left, and anterior left (juarters milked in the order mentioned were, res])ecti\ely, 

 4.4, 2.5, 2.4, and 2 per cent. 



When this order was changed and the posterior left, anterior left, ])osterior right, 

 and anterior right quarters were nulked in the order named, the figures were, respec- 

 tively, 4.8, 2.6, 2.5, and 2.2 per cent. Likewise the milk from 2 quarters, a posterior 

 and an anterior, milked first and at the same time showed a higher fat content than 

 the milk from the 2 remaining (quarters milked last. This difference was less marked 

 when diagonally opposite quarters were milked at the same time than when the 2 

 right or the 2 left were milked together. The data for the experiments are re[)orted 

 in detail. The jihysiology of milk secretion is discussed briefly, 1>nt no definite expla- 

 nation of the results obtained is offered. 



In the milk from one quarter obtained in 6 portions during the entire milking the 

 fat content increased from 3.1 to 6.8 per cent, the total solids increased from 12.5!) to 

 15.2.3 per cent, and the ash decreased from 0.78 to 0.73 per cent. 



Comparative tests of four methods of milking' made at the dairy station 

 in Belgium, A. J)E Mestkal {Bnl. Agr. [/j'rtw.sYis], ^'0 {l'J04), X<>. J, pp. 11S-1.J4).— 

 The method of milking in ordinary use, the Swiss method, the ordinary method or 

 the Swiss method followed by a KUj)plementary milking within 15 to 30 minutes 

 after the first, and the llegelund method were compared. The experiments were 

 made witii 3 c(jws and covered a period of 2 months. While the results were not 

 sufiiciently conclusive to show the relative value of the different methods, they indi- 

 cated, however, that the ordinary method was much inferior to the other three. 



Variations in the composition of milk and their probable causes, D. A. 

 Gilchrist {Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Northumberland and Durliarn Dalni Farmers' Assoc, 

 1903, pp. 16). — This is a brief report upon the examination of a large number of 

 samples of milk of individual cows, and also of mixed milk, 6 herds Ijeing represented 

 and the tests extending over periods of 1 to 12 months. In collecting the samples 

 data were obtained on the Ijreed of cows, times of milking, weather conditions, and 

 rations. It was found that morning's milk was frequently below the Standard of 3 

 per cent of fat when the previous milking was early in the afternoon. 



As a remedy for this it is suggested that the cows be milked 3 times a day, the 

 last milking being late in the evening and the milk kept in the best condition possi- 

 ble over night. Even with equal intervals between milkings the fat content of the 

 milk of individual cows frequently fell below the standard. With one or two excep- 

 tions, the marked changes in the feeding of the different herds while the tests were 

 in progress did not materially affect the (piantity or the quality of the milk. 

 Weather conditions, on the contrary, apparently exerted a very important influence 

 on milk production. The influence of other causes, such as the temperament of the 

 cow and regularity in time and manner of feeding, are also considered. 



Variation in the milk of a dairy herd during the summer months, T. S. 

 Dymond and B. AY. Bull {Essex Education Com., Couutu Tech. Lahs., I004, Mar., 

 pp. 1.5, dtjms. '2). — A record is given of 5 shorthorn cows for 2 weeks each month 

 from May to September, inclusive. Notes are also given ( m weather conditions. The 

 results are compared with those of a similar study made during the winter montlis 

 and previously reported (E. S. R., 15, ]). 74). The conclusions were drawn in the 

 earlier paper that variations in the composition of milk are due mainly to idiosyn- 

 crasies of cows over which no control can ])e exercised, and that there is little 

 danger of the mixed milk of a herd falling below the legal standard in England. 



