ON AGRICULTURE TO DENMARK 86 



in shifts of 9 hours each per day, were stated to be 60 to 80 

 kroner per month. The systematic way in which all the work 

 about tlie phice is conducted was much admired, and reflects the 

 higliest credit on the management. 



We were afforded an opportunity of witnessing the cleansing 

 of the milk cans and bottles, and were much impressed by the 

 thoroughness with which the work was carried out. These vessels 

 are first immersed in a strong solution of lime and soda, then 

 rinsed in cold water, after which they are sterilised by steam. 

 Altogether, the success of this Company, which was only started 

 five-and-a-half years ago, seemed to us extraordinary, and in many 

 respects its system might with advantage be adopted in all centres 

 where there is a large consumpt of milk. 



The Copenhagen Milk Supply Company 



This business was founded in 1878. Under the management 

 of Mr Busck, whose wife, by the way, is a Scotch lady, the first 

 attempt was made in Denmark to supply the city of Copenhagen 

 with an absolutely reliable supply of wholesome milk, the produce 

 of cows warranted free from tubercular disease. Mr Busck, in the 

 initial stages of the undertaking, had many difficulties to over- 

 come, and much prejudice to contend with. He early enlisted 

 the sympathy of the leading medical authorities, three of whom, 

 without remuneration or monetary interest, formed themselves into 

 a Committee of Control. A private Company was formed, and in 

 its prospectus it was announced that the undertaking was not to 

 be of a purely mercantile character, but that all profits exceeding 

 5 per cent, should go towards reducing the price of milk and of 

 extending and improving the business. Gradually the public con- 

 fidence was gained, and from a small beginning, with a capital of 

 £600, the undertaking has so prospered that time and again the 

 Company have had to move into larger premises, till, finally, they 

 had to build their present establishment at a cost of nearly 

 £10,000. About 5000 gallons of milk are handled daily by this 

 Company, drawn from fifty-seven farms, all situated in Zeeland. 

 Pasteurising of milk is not practised here, except in the case of 

 milk specially asked for for infants, Mr Busck preferring to rely on 

 the precautions he adopts to scQure that the milk is the product of 

 cows guaranteed free from disease. Fortnightly examinations are 

 made of all the cows by a veterinary surgeon employed by the 

 Company, and an inspector is regularly sent round the farms, who 

 must report as to the general management, the condition of the 

 cows, the quality of the fodder, and see that the drastic rules 

 laid down by the Company are rigidly carried out in regard to the 

 feeding of the animals, and the cleanliness exercised in the process 

 of milking. He must also examine the cooling apparatus and 

 report as to its order, and see to the sufficiency of the stock of ice 

 and how it is stored. It is laid down in the Company's rules that 

 at least 30 lbs. of ice must be stored for every 1 1 gallons of milk 

 produced. Further, a skilled dairy-maid is regularly sent round 



