98 AIAINE AGRICULTUR.\Iv EXPERIMENT STATION. I915. 

 CLEAN MILK PRODUCTION. 



If milk could be drawn direct from the cow into sterile 

 bottles without its passing through air it would be practically 

 free from bacteria. This, however, is impossible and imprac- 

 ticable. It is very evident, therefore, that milk becomes con- 

 taminated after' it is drawn. Although bacteria are too minute 

 to be seen with the naked eye, we really mean bacterial infec- 

 tion when we, speak of filthy milk. Whenever any amount of 

 sediment is seen at the bottom of a milk bottle it is enough to 

 say that there are many bacteria in such milk, for dirt and 

 bacteria go hand in hand. Every speck of dirt, every particle 

 of dust, every piece of hair and every insect that falls into 

 the milk carries with it several thousand bacteria. 



The bacteria content of milk depends upon various factors 

 of which the following arq most important : 



Dirty or unhealthy cows. 



Dirty stables. 



Dirty of unhealthy persons employed in handling cows and 

 milk. 



Dirty utensils. 



Dirty surroundings of milk after being drawn. 



Keeping milk at high temperature. 



DIRTY OR UNHEALTHY COWS. 



When cows are not properly cleaned every day a -great 

 amount of loose hair and coarse dirt accumulates on their 

 bodies, and every piece of hair, or dirt that falls into the milk 

 pail carries with it a large number of bacteria. It is true that 

 the hair and large particles of dirt may be removed by the 

 strainers, but the bacteria have been washed from them and it 

 It impossible to remove them by straining. 



DIRTY STABLES. 



Dirty stables, by which is meant, stables not properly cared 

 for, having dirty floors, walls, and ceilings,, favor the contami- 

 nation of milk. The walls and ceilings of stables should be 

 made of matched lumber so that they are tight. They should 

 be frequently cleaned and white washed. When this is done 



