THE FAMILY MILK SUPPLY 



barn or the showy external features of the 

 producing and handling plant. 



The essential factors in the production of 

 clean, wholesome milk are healthy, clean cows; 

 healthy milkers; clean, sterile utensils; and sani- 

 tary stables and premises. These conditions 

 can be attained by any careful dairyman and 

 can be checked by any layman interested in 

 securing a dependable supply of safe milk. 

 The purchaser should insist that the cows be 

 tested regularly under government supervision 

 for tuberculosis and the reactors to the test 

 removed from the herd. This is important in all 

 circumstances and particularly so where the 

 milk is consumed in the unprocessed state by 

 children. 



Producing Milk at Home. It is entirely 

 feasible for the rural family to produce at home 

 an ample supply of milk at low cost. To do this 

 it is only necessary to have stabling facilities 

 for one or two cows and to have a member of 

 the family sufficiently interested to feed, care 

 for and milk the cow or cows. If this plan is to 

 be followed the owner, if he is inexperienced, 

 should enlist the aid of a neighbor or friend 

 in making the purchase. The animal should be 

 fresh, that is, just starting the period of lactation, 

 and preferably not more than four or five years 

 of age. A cow that is fresh can be judged as to 



161 



