CHAPTER XXV 

 CLEAN MILK PRODUCTION AND HANDLING 



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Since cow's milk is such an exceedingly important item in 

 our present system of living and since the true value of the 

 milk hinges so largely upon its cleanliness, it is highly impor- 

 tant that the essentials of clean milk production be under- 

 stood by milk producers. 



The cows should not only be healthy and in good physical 

 condition, but also sufficiently clean to permit of milking with- 

 out the heavy contamination so often following that process. 

 To this end, the barnyards need be kept sufficiently clean and 

 dry as to enable cows to walk freely without becoming dirty or, 

 in other words, milk should not be permitted to be sold where 

 bad conditions cannot be rectified (Fig. 85). The ordinary- 

 drinking ponds found in the cow pastures in so many parts 

 of the country are sources of contamination. The cows wade 

 in to drink, then defile the water until soon the whole is a 

 fertile medium for the growth of many forms of slime and 

 bacteria. The slimy stuff dries on the cows and is chaffed 

 off into the pail at milking time. In dairy cow pastures such 

 drinking ponds should be fenced and provided with a tank out 

 of which water may be got without its becoming polluted. 



The milkers have been shown to be another fruitful source 

 of contamination where care is not exercised in keeping the 

 hands clean during milking. The milker's clothing is also an 

 item in this connection. If dusty, contamination is practically 

 sure to follow. The ordinary dirt on the milker's overalls, 

 while not at all desirable, is not necessarily a source of contam- 

 ination. White suits are nice if kept clean, but expensive. 

 Ordinary blue or khaki overalls may be kept just as sanitary as 

 white ones and show dirt much less. The milking should be 

 done with dry hands. Wet handed milking is a filthy habit and 

 entirely unnecessary. 



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