10 BULLETIN 849, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



plant of 2f stories as in a higher one. By either elevating or pump- 

 ing the milk to a tank 2 or 2| stories high, gravity will do the work ; 

 that is, the milk will flow through the clarifier and the pasteurizer 

 into the bottle-filling machinery without the use of a pump. 



The principal advantage of building a higher plant is the smaller 

 ground area needed when the plant is in a thickly settled part of the 

 city; however, the tendency to build farther away from the down- 

 town section is increasing, so that this consideration becomes of 

 minor importance. The appearance of the building from the street 

 is important, as it serves as an advertisement. 



While the size of the plant as well as the number of stories de- 

 pends on the quantity of milk to be handled, it should be so planned 

 that one man can remain on one floor and not have to go from one 

 floor to another in doing his work. Much time may be wasted if the 

 men have to go upstairs and downstairs in their daily duties. 



The ceiling of the plant should be at least 12 feet high. When 

 the pasteurizing equipment is on the balcony, midway between the 

 ground floor and the second floor, the handling room and the bot- 

 tling room should be two full stories. 



MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION. 



The materials used for the construction of the plant depend a 

 great deal on local conditions. The most satisfactory materials that 

 may be used are reinforced concrete, hollow tile with cement finish, 

 or selected brick. Cement blocks are also used to a limited extent. 

 When concrete is used, the inside walls should be finished with a 

 smooth surface and protected with paint that will stand hot water 

 and steam. 



At present the proportion of brick plants and wooden plants is 

 large, but concrete is becoming very popular in many localities and 

 is probably the most suitable for a milk plant. It is practically fire- 

 proof, very sanitary, weather resistant, and durable. Hollow tile 

 with stucco finish is also much used for milk plants. With that 

 type of construction the inside walls must be finished with cement 

 or similar material. In certain localities cement blocks are used. 

 This form of construction is usually found in the smaller plants 

 and is very satisfactory, provided the material is not too expensive. 

 The wood- frame buildings in nearly all cases are old ones. Many 

 plants are now built of selected brick with cement finish on the 

 inside, which is a very satisfactory type of construction. 



INSIDE WALLS AND CEILINGS. 



For the inside walls select a material that will provide a smooth, 

 easily cleaned surface that is durable and waterproof. Concrete or 

 cement is very commonly used and is quite satisfactory. This ma- 



