356 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



It has become evident from the foregoing that practically 

 all of the various troubles which result in bad milk can be 

 directly or indirectly traced to the different forms of bacteria, 

 which are especially abundant wherever filth of any kind is 

 to be found. This leads us to a brief consideration of 



Modern Methods of Producing and Handling Pure 



Milk. 



Healthy Cows. — It is evident that, in order to have pure 

 milk, the producer must start with healthy cows. Diseased 

 animals, kept in dark, poorly ventilated stables, cannot give 

 healthy milk. 



Good Feed. — Practically all kinds of coarse feeds grown 

 upon the farm or concentrated feeds sold in Massachusetts 

 will produce pure milk if fed at the right time, in suitable 

 quantities. Some feeds, as cabbages and turnips, because 

 of a particular flavor, must be fed sparingly and directly 

 after milking. Partially decayed potatoes, cabbages, en- 

 silage, etc., ought to be avoided. 



Good Water. — Producers make a great mistake in not 

 looking carefully after the quality of water drank by their 

 cows. Water receiving the drainage from the barn ought 

 never to be used. 



Clean Animals. — Farmers are in error in thinking that 

 they can produce clean milk from filthy animals. More or 

 less dirt will most certainly find its way into the milk, with 

 a corresponding bad effect. Animals which are well bedded 

 and cleaned daily, present a far more attractive appearance 

 to the eye, and will nearly if not quite pay the cost of the 

 extra labor by the increased milk flow. 



Clean Bams. — It is fully realized that farmers producing 

 milk for ordinary trade cannot afford expensive barns. Force 

 of circumstances causes them to house their animals in very 

 plain, inexpensive buildings. It is possible, however, for 

 farmers to give their animals plenty of light, by placing a 

 sufficient number of windows on the south and west sides of 

 the barn. Barns can be ventilated cheaply by running ven- 

 tilating shafts from floor to roof. Barns can be kept clean 

 with very little labor, if the producer has sufficient interest 

 to see that it is done. A force pump and plenty of white- 



