166 THE MILK QUESTION ' 



than to use such general terms as "good," "bad," "indif- 

 ferent." In actual practice it will be found that different 

 inspectors will score a dairy almost exactly alike. Some 

 of the individual items may differ, but the total average 

 will probably not vary one or two per cent. 



It is always advisable to score a dairy in the presence of 

 the producer. In this way his cooperation may be enlisted. 

 Every experienced inspector knows that many a farmer 

 at first is skeptical and approaches the process of scoring 

 his dairy and his methods with a feeling of disgust. This 

 attitude frequently changes to a lively interest in the pro- 

 ceedings. The best inspectors are able to get farmers to 

 score their own dairies. Thus they will say, "Now, what 

 do you think you ought to have for the cleanliness of your 

 dairy?" "How much do you think you ought to have for 

 the health of your cattle?" "How much do you think I 

 ought to take off for not removing the manure once a 

 day?" etc., etc. Such methods accomplish real good and 

 the farmer takes a pride in obtaining a higher score at sub- 

 sequent inspections. 



Score cards should always be made out in duplicate; 

 one copy should be left with the farmer and the other kept 

 on the files at the health office. The farmer should always 

 have the right of appeal; on the other hand, the health 

 officer should be prompt in correcting mistakes as well as 

 loyally supporting the good work of his agents. 



The question arises in the health office whether the 

 scores should be published. Perhaps it is not advisable to 

 publish the scores which are given at the first inspection. 

 After gross faults have been corrected and the system 

 placed upon a stable basis, it is then an advantage to pub- 

 lish the averages. The improvements thus shown are 

 stimulating to the producer. A friendly rivalry arises in 

 the neighborhood to obtain the highest scores. Even re- 

 wards may be offered. A high score pleases the producer, 

 increases confidence in his product, and thus increases the 



