above precautions superfluous. If the teats are not 

 cleaned before milking, the teatcups of the machine will 

 not fit tightly around the teats. Some air and dirt will 

 enter into the pail through the space thus formed. This 

 interferes with the efficiency of the milking-machine, at 

 the same time soiling the milk. 



Furthermore, during the stripping following the 

 machine milking, the milker works under exactly the 

 same conditions as an ordinary hand milker, hence should 

 take the same precautions for clean work. The parts of 

 the milking-machine, coming in direct contact with 

 the milk, should be carefully kept clean according to the 

 prescriptions, which the manufacturers send with every 

 machine and the rubber parts and cups kept in an an- 

 tiseptic solution when not in use. This to prevent 

 the growth of bacteria and moulds in the microscopical 

 cracks which form usually in the inside lining of the 

 rubber parts. 



For the same reason the tubes should be totally 

 filled with the solution and no air-spaces left. 



It will be found convenient to have a trough made 

 with a sloping bottom. The trough should be so long 

 that the rubber tubes may be laid in it without bending 

 the same. When putting the tubes in the trough filled 

 with disinfectant start at the deepest end and lower 

 slowly. All the air is in this manner driven out of the 

 tubing. 



A milking machine may be a great help for labor 

 saving and cleanliness when it is skillfully handled ; in 

 the hands of careless and neglectful milkers it is a most 

 dangerous tool. Improperly cleaned machines cause a 

 (icfect in the milk lately known as milking machine fla- 

 vour which is very objectionable. Dairymen should 

 therefore see that the smallest details of the cleaning are 

 done with thoroughness. 



32 



