SECTION LXI. THE PRODUCTION AND CARE 

 OF MILK 



Cows of the same breed differ greatly in the amount 

 and richness of their milk. The most accurate way to 

 decide which are the best among a number of cows is to 

 weigh the milk at regular intervals, once or twice a month, 

 and then to test its richness. By 

 using a Babcock milk-tester (Fig. 209), 

 it is possible to tell just how much fat 

 or butter-making material there is in the 

 milk of any cow. Dairymen who try 

 this plan sometimes find that half the 

 cows in their herd are not paying for FlG 20g _ A SMALL 

 their food. By selling the inferior cows BABCOCK MILK-TEST- 



f 1. r J i i ^ ^ ER AND UTFIT 



for beef and keeping only those that 



make a large yield of butter fat, a dairyman sometimes 



doubles his net profits. 



Milking time. Avoid exciting a cow at milking time. 

 Fear and excitement check the formation and flow of 

 milk. Be regular and milk at the same time every day. 

 Feed at regular hours also. 



Keeping the milk pure. Milk is formed from the blood 

 which circulates through the udder in exceedingly small 

 blood vessels. While forming in the udder, milk of a 

 healthy 'cow contains no germs. But as soon as it is drawn, 



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