HAIRY METHODS 123 



scissors or a clipper of the long hairs from flanks where manure 

 is liable to collect, from the tip of the tail, and especially 

 around the udder and on the under part of the body, is to be 

 recommended. If this hair is occasionally cut, the contamina- 

 tion of milk from the cow's body is lessened. The cow should 

 not be allowed to wade through mud and manure such as is 

 frequently found in the barnyard. This will mean the cleaning 

 of the barnyard and, in many places, a thorough draining. A 

 clean, dry barnyard for the cattle to use for exercise will con- 

 tribute much to the cleanness of the cows and hence of the 

 milk. (Fig. 43.) 



MILK VESSELS 



Perhaps the most important factor for producing a reduction 

 of bacterial contamination is the proper cleaning of the milk 

 vessels. From facts given in a previous chapter it is evident 

 that all vessels which have held milk should receive a most 

 thorough cleaning. This refers to milk pails, strainers, coolers, 

 separators, milk cans, glass bottles and, in fact, to all dairy 

 utensils. The washing of such utensils is no easy task, and it 

 is not an exaggeration to say that upon an ordinary milk farm 

 vessels are never washed clean. They are, it is true, frequently 

 scrubbed with warm water and soap, but no such washing will 

 result in removing all of the bacteria. After the most thorough 

 washing and scrubbing there will % still be left many of these 

 organisms in the cracks and clinging to the milk vessels, ready 

 to begin feeding upon the next lot of milk and to multiply. 

 Cold water is practically useless for removing them. All milk 

 vessels should be of metal, with a smooth surface. If the coating 

 of tin is worn off, they should be discarded, for they cannot be 

 kept clean. They should not be allowed to become dry before 

 washing, for dried milk is difficult to remove. They should be 

 first soaked in warm water to loosen the milk; then thoroughly 

 washed in hot water, preferably containing soap or sal-soda, 



