iv] CONDITIONS INFLUENCING MILK 45 



periods intervening between the times of milking be 

 unequal, it will be . found that the milk obtained 

 after the longer interval is greater in quantity, but 

 poorer in quality, than that obtained after the shorter 

 interval. We may add that experiments have shown 

 that when a cow is milked three or four times a day 

 an increase in its amount to the extent of 20 per cent, 

 and an increase in its fat to the extent of 25 per 

 cent, may be obtained over that gained when it is 

 only twice milked. 



Another condition which influences the activity 

 of the milk-glands in the udder is the age of the cow. 

 The maximum development in respect of milk pro- 

 duction in a cow is generally to be found between the 

 fourth and fifth calf it gives birth to. The influence 

 of food is also important, but we shall treat it under 

 the conditions which influence the quality of milk. 



Conditions Influencing the Quality of Milk. 

 From what we have pointed out it will be seen that 

 the condition which influences not merely the quan- 

 tity, but also the quality, of milk to the greatest 

 extent, is the nature of the milk-glands that is to 

 say, the individuality of the cow. Next to the 

 individuality of the cow may be said to be the breed. 



Breed. In choosing milking cows it is important 

 to choose good milking breeds. Although it has 

 undoubtedly been found that those breeds which 

 give a large amount of milk do not, as a general rule, 



