156 Milk and Its Products 



Care of the stable. The thorough cleansing of the 

 stable is an important factor in the production of 

 clean milk. Not only should the stable be thoroughly 

 cleaned of the voidings, but it should be washed care- 

 fully every day. If the cows are kept in the stable 

 most of the time, it should be cleaned of voidings 

 two or three times daily. The thorough cleaning of 

 the stable is an important aid in keeping the stable 

 air comparatively fresh. An abundant supply of 

 water, under pressure, that may be forced through 

 a hose, is, of course, very desirable. If the water 

 supply is somewhat limited, or the use of a hose not 

 permitted, the use of disinfectants is oftentimes resorted 

 to, and undoubtedly is a very great aid in maintain- 

 ing a low bacterial content in the milk. However, 

 the use of disinfectants cannot take the place of 

 thorough cleansing, as the disinfectants will not pre- 

 vent dust from accumulating. Before each milking-, 

 the stable should be freed from dust as perfectly as 

 possible. Various means are employed to accomplish 

 this end. Where water is at hand, under sufficient 

 pressure to produce a fine spray, spraying the whole 

 interior of the stable is an effective means of allay- 

 ing the dust. When this cannot be done, some suc- 

 cessful dairymen turn live steam into the stable in 

 sufficient amounts to perfectly clear the stable of all 

 dust. As this steam condenses, and falls, it carries 

 the particles of dust with it. This, as does spraying, 

 tends to dampen the litter and those parts of the 

 cows that are not washed, and thus prevents dust by 

 any movement of the cows. 



