260 STARTERS 



more expensive. Condensed milk and milk powder, though 

 serviceable in the absence of whole milk and skim milk, are 

 not as satisfactory media for starter making. Under favorable 

 conditions they may yield reasonably satisfactory results, but 

 quite often their use conveys to butter a distinct off-flavor. Skim 

 milk powder deteriorates with age, it should therefore, be reason- 

 ably fresh when used. 



Whole Milk from Fanners. 'The best quality of starter milk 

 is usually secured where the milk is delivered or shipped direct 

 by the farmer to the factory. Every effort should be made to 

 arrange for such milk supply direct from the farmer. 



Upon arrival the milk should be graded for quality and 

 tested for fat and with the lactometer. Milk that has an un- 

 clean flavor, or that tests more than 2% acid, or that shows 

 a lactometer reading of less than 29 points at 60 F. should not 

 be accepted for starter milk. 



Special attention should be given the cans returned to the 

 farmers. These cans must be free from rust. They must be 

 washed, rinsed, steamed and dried properly, so that they are 

 perfectly clean, dry and sweet-smelling. The farmer should not 

 be allowed to take back buttermilk in the cans in which he 

 furnishes the milk for starter making. If he wants buttermilk, 

 he should use a separate set of cans for it. The cans for the 

 sweet milk must be returned to him empty, clean and dry. 



Skim Milk or Whole Milk from Milk Products Factories. 



Milk or skim milk purchased from ice cream plants or other 

 milk products factories is usually of poor quality, it is often 

 high in acid and frequently contains undesirable off-flavors. If 

 secured from these sources, each can should be carefully in- 

 spected and it should be clearly understood by the party sel- 

 ling, that milk that is stale, high in acid, off in flavor, or con- 

 tains preservatives, or extraneous water, will be rejected. 



The milk must be delivered in cans that are free from rust 

 and clean. If the factory from which this milk is purchased 

 furnishes the cans, the plant should be visited to make sure that 

 the cans are in satisfactory condition when they are filled with 

 the milk or skim milk, 



