146 CAN WASHING 



izer devised by Ayres and Taylor 1 of the United States Dairy 

 Division is recommended. 



Size, Quality and Construction of Cans, Rusty and Dam- 

 aged Cans. For shipping or hauling milk the 10 gallon can 

 is the most popular can. Most farmers who ship milk have 

 enough of it most of the time to fill a 10 gallon can. This refers 

 largely to creamery patrons. In the case of milk that is in- 

 tended for city milk consumption, the 8 gallon can pre- 

 dominates in many localities. For shipping cream a smaller 

 can is preferable and the 5 gallon can is recommended. The 

 smaller can is filled in a shorter time and encourages more 

 frequent shipments, thus helping the creamery to secure a fresher 

 cream. The shipping rate on the 5 gallon can also is less than 

 that on the 10 gallon can, so that it is cheaper to ship a 5 gal- 

 lon can full than a ten gallon can only part full. Again, the pur- 

 chasing price of the small can is less than that of the large can. 



Generally speaking, a well constructed can made of heavy 

 tin plate lasts longer and gives better service than a can of 

 light construction. However, in the case of sour cream, the 

 acid corrodes and rusts even the best cans in time, and it is 

 a debatable question whether it is preferable to buy a cheap 

 can that can be replaced with little expense as soon as it shows 

 signs of corrosion, or to buy a more expensive can that will 

 last somewhat longer. Especially when the can is paid for 

 by the producer he often objects to the paying of the price 

 of a high grade can. 



All cans, if not made of pressed tin, should have their seams 

 well flushed with solder so as to avoid the lodging of remnants 

 of decaying cream in the seams at the bottom, side or shoulder. 



All cans should receive a special inspection at regular inter- 

 vals and cans which contain more than about 1 square inch of 

 rust spots should be scoured with some good friction material, 

 such as cement or emery powder. Cans that do not respond to 

 this treatment and that show excessive rustiness should be 

 discarded. Also, cans with loose shoulders, if they cannot be 

 mended satisfactorily, should be removed from service. 



The fact that the can is rusty indicates that the tin coat- 



1 Ayres and Taylor, A Simple Steam Sterilizer for Farm Dairy Utensils, 

 U. S. Dept. Agr. B. A. I. Farmers' Bulletin No. 748, 1916. 



