MILK SUPPLY 47 



evenly distributed over the twelve months of the year, the milk 

 generally continues to be bought on the basis of its weight or 

 volume, and not by test. Under these conditions the objection 

 of not paying on the butterfat basis is, in part at least, removed... 

 The great bulk of the milk supply reaches the condensery 

 by wagon or by motor truck. Usually part of the cost of trans- 

 portation is borne by the factory and 

 part by the farmer. Some milk con- 

 densing concerns operate concentration 

 points to which the milk is hauled by 

 the patrons, and from which it is hauled 

 to the factory in large glass-lined tanks 

 Pig-, s. mounted on motor trucks. Shipments 



Glass-lined steel tank on by rail are less common in this country, 

 truck for transporting- the uncertainty of rail transportation, 



fluid milk to con- .... . ,."' 



densery witn its frequent delays, jeopardizes 



Courtesy of The Pfaudier GO. the quality of the milk. Payments for 



the milk are generally made monthly. 



Quality. The quality of the fresh milk is the first and most 

 important factor to be considered. The milk condensing factory, 

 ignoring this fact and accepting milk from unsanitary dairies 

 and careless dairymen, is bound to pay the penalty for such 

 neglect sooner or later. 



Polluted milk and milk that has not been cooled promptly 

 and to a reasonably low temperature on the farm, may pass 

 through the process successfully, if it is not too sour. The con- 

 densed milk made from it, though, is inferior in flavor and keep- 

 ing quality, and usually shows signs of deterioration and decay 

 before it reaches the consumer. The risk of handling such milk 

 is very great; it may result in total loss to the manufacturer. 

 The trouble may and often does begin before the process is com- 

 pleted. Unclean, abnormal, or partly fermented milk, when sub- 

 jected to the process, is prone to curdle and whey off; the con- 

 densed milk becomes lumpy and shows other defects. This is 

 especially true where superheating is practiced and where evap- 

 orated milk is made. 



Milk that has received the best of care on the farm may be 

 detrimental to the interests of the condensery, if it comes from 

 cows less than thirty days before their parturition, or from fresh 



