THE CARE 01* MILK. 231 



hyposulphite of soda may be given with benefit, for two 

 weeks, so as to effectually free the system from all acid- 

 ity. This salt is a most valuable medicine in the dairy 

 on account of its antiseptic and alterative properties, and 

 a pound or two of it may be beneficially kept for use. 

 It is readily taken when powdered and sprinkled over a 

 mess of scalded bran or some cut feed, and it will be 

 found useful in all these cases of trouble with milk. The 

 improper behavior of milk in the churn is due altogether 

 to the after management of the milk, and requires special 

 consideration. 



CHAPTEK XVIIL 



THE CARE OF MILK. 



• 

 The proper management of milk includes its disposal 

 from the time it is drawn from the cow up to the 

 time it is skimmed and put to the best practical use 

 under the special circumstances of each case. The first 

 of these various operations is straining it after it is 

 milked. This is. done with the greatest care to keep out 

 any specks of dust, or accidental hairs that may fall from ^ 

 the cow. It should be poured through at least two wire ^ 

 gauze strainers, besides that in the milk pail, and through 

 a fine muslin cloth doubled as well. This straining will 

 certainly stop even a small hair going endwise, which it 

 can scarcely do through all these strainers. But while 

 the use of the strainers is imperative, the thorough 

 cleansing of them should not be neglected, lest by any 

 chance a remnant of milk may stay upon them and be- 

 come sour, and act as a pernicious ferment upon other 

 milk. The effect of a particle of dried sour milk or 

 curd upon any utensil has been carefully explained in 



