222 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



mont, Ohio, Iowa, and Maine now have provision for supplying this 

 material to associations within their own borders. 



Qualifications of the Tester. The cow tester has much to do 

 with the successful working of an association. He should be well 

 fitted temperamentally and should have had special training for the 

 work. Punctuality, regularity, and accuracy are of great impor- 

 tance, for unless he has these qualities the records may not be a true 

 indication of the value of the respective cows. The tester should also 

 have the ability to advise and teach the farmers, and for this reason 

 it is necessary that he be constituted temperamentally to give ad- 

 vice in such a manner that it will be accepted and followed. 



The work of a cow-testing association depends largely for its 

 success upon the capability, reliability, and conscientiousness of the 

 tester; but, on the other hand, the result of this work depends also 

 upon the members. They should be willing to profit by the lessons 

 which the cow testing teaches and ready to put into effect such 

 changes in feed, stabling, and operation of the dairy as the records 

 show will be profitable. 



In this country, as well as in Europe, the position of cow tester 

 offers excellent opportunities for dairy students to gain practical 

 experience and is the best kind of school to fit them for responsible 

 positions in connection with dairy work. (Dep. Agr. Bu. An. Ind. 

 Cir. 179.) 



CERTIFIED MILK. 



Milk Commissions. The first milk commission was organized 

 April 13, 1893, and it was not until five years later (1898) that the 

 second was formed. After 1899 the movement spread more rapidly 

 and commissions were organized as follows: One in 1900, one in 

 1901, five in 1902, two in 1903, three in 1904, one in 1905, five in 

 1906, and thirteen organized or in process of organizing in 1907. 

 The subject is being agitated in several cities at the present time 

 and it is quite probable that the number of commissions will be con- 

 siderably increased in the near future. 



Objects of the Commission. The objects and requirements of 

 the commission were stated as follows : To establish correct clinical 

 standards of purity for cow's milk ; to become responsible for a peri- 

 odical inspection of the dairies under its patronage; provide for 

 chemical and bacteriological examinations of the product, and the 

 frequent scrutiny of the stock by competent veterinarians; to pro- 

 mote only professional and public interests. 



The following are three general requirements or standards for 

 the milk: (1) An absence of large numbers of micro-organisms, 

 and the entire freedom of the milk from pathogenic varieties; (2) 

 unvarying resistance to early fermentative changes in the milk, so 

 that it may be kept under ordinary conditions without extraordinary- 

 care; (3)_ a constant nutritive value of known chemical composition, 

 and a uniform relation between the percentage of fats, proteids, and 

 carbohydrates. 



Certified Dairies and Quantity of Milk Produced. The number 

 of dairies producing milk for any one commission varies from 1 to 



