CHAPTER XXXIX. 



MACHINE MILKING. 



Recent results secured by experiment stations and nu- 

 merous large dairymen indicate that the milking machine 

 may become an important factor in future dairying. The 

 testimonials from these sources show that machines milk 

 quite as satisfactorily as average hand milkers ; and since 

 one attendant can milk four to six cows at the same time, 

 there is a material saving in labor, besides making labor 

 more agreeable. Many, however, have pronounced ma- 

 chine milking unsatisfactory. 



Principle of Operation. Milking by machine is ac- 

 complished by suction similar to that produced by a suck- 

 ing calf. The suction 

 is intermittent and is 

 created by producing 

 a partial vacuum in a 

 system of pipes to 

 which the milking 

 machines are attached 

 during milking. 



Apparatus. The 

 necessary apparatus 

 for machine milking 

 consists of a milker, 

 which includes a tin 



pail, teat cups, etc. ; a vacuum pump ; some form of 

 power ; a vacuum reservoir ; two vacuum gauges ; a safety 



282 



Fig. 87. -Milking Machine in operation. 



