122 PRACTICAL DAIRY BACTERIOLOGY 



effect of feeding cows upon dry corn stover before and after 

 milking is shown by the following diagram: 



DIAGRAM SHOWING THE EFFECT UPON THE BACTERIA OF FEEDING 

 CORN STOVER 



Before feeding, 



After feeding, 



Increase caused 

 by feeding, 



The milking room should, if possible, be flushed with water 

 after each milking. There should also be flowing water, soap 

 and towels to permit the milker to wash his hands after milking 

 each cow, and whenever they are soiled. 1 



THE COW 



Emphasis must be placed upon the grooming of the cows. 

 In earlier years it was almost unknown to pay any attention to 

 the grooming and cleaning of the cattle. (Fig. 31.) For- 

 tunately, there has been a decided change in this respect, and 

 at the present time cattle in dairies are not infrequently groomed 

 and brushed, and are sometimes kept in a condition as cleanly 

 as that of the ordinary horse. If a proper milk supply is to be 

 obtained, this is absolutely necessary. The habits of cows, and 

 especially the close confinement in which they are kept in stalls, 

 inevitably results in a large amount of manure adhering to the 

 animal's flanks, tail and udder, and unless this is removed by 

 curry comb and brush, with washing if necessary, the character 

 of the milk is sure to suffer. The long hairs of the cow's body 

 are especially liable to catch such filth, and the cutting off with 



1 Stocking. Bui. 42, Storrs Exper. Sta., 1906. 



