368 Bacteria in Relation to Country Life 



since a better distribution of the organisms is thus as- 

 sured and their subsequent multiplication favored. 

 It is desirable, therefore, to change the strainer cloth 

 frequently, and to clean the strainer thoroughly. 



Of the various strainers or strainer materials placed 

 on the market, few can be said to be effective. On the 

 whole, a strainer with four thicknesses of cheese-cloth 

 will be found satisfactory enough; as will also cotton 

 placed between two layers of cheese-cloth. Such strainers, 

 intelligently cared for, will hold back a more or less 

 considerable proportion of the bacteria in the milk, as 

 well as the grosser particles of the various insoluble 

 impurities. They will thus contribute to the improve- 

 ment, not only in the general appearance of the milk, 

 but, also, to the keeping quality of the latter. 



