28 BULLETIl^ 973, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTURE. 



outward, will often greatly "assist in reducing the number of 

 flies that enter the building. These fans provide a constant breeze, 

 which forces many of the flies out as the doors are opened. Fans 

 placed near milk apparatus, such as open coolers, also tend to keep 

 flies away from the apparatus and out of the milk. Good ventilation 

 is essential. (See Department Bulletin No. 819, '' City Milk Plants.") 



Keeping a milk plant clean is a simple matter if one bears in mind 

 the fundamentals of sanitation and has a fair idea of bacteriological 

 principles. Everything with which the milk comes in contact should 

 be kept clean from a bacteriological standpoint — that is, thoroughly 

 sterilized with steam. Milk should be exposed to the air as little as 

 possible; it should be pasteurized at 145° F. for 30 minutes and then 

 kept at 50° F. or below until delivered. 



The dehvery outfit is another item that should receive attention 

 in respect to cleanliness. Many dealers naturally take great pride 

 in the cleanliness of their plant. The delivery outfits should not be 

 forgotten, for customers have an opportunity to see them every day, 

 while only a few ever visit the plants. The horses should be kept 

 in good condition and well groomed, the harnesses clean and well 

 oiled, and wagons well painted and washed. Drivers should be clean, 

 neatly dressed, courteous, and obliging. Many a good customer has 

 been lost by a discourteous driver, while many a new one has been 

 gained by a polite and obliging one. A uniform or a white suit 

 adds much to his appearance. Where cash sales are made in office 

 buildings or other places in which the customer deals directly with 

 the driver this is especially desirable. 



WASTES INCURRED IN HANDLING MILK. 



One of the aims of the milk-plant operator is to keep the losses in 

 the plant as low as possible. These losses vary considerably at dif- 

 ferent plants, depending mostly on the competence of the men in 

 charge. 



There are many items which should be borne in mind by the milk- 

 plant operator in keeping down losses. The following items are 

 important : 



Avoid milk piping as much as possible by the proper arrangement of rooms and 

 equipment. Not only is the piping difficult to keep clean, but it causes extra labor. 

 Besides, considerable milk will stick to the pipes at the end of the run, and extra 

 piping will increase the loss of milk. 



Avoid use of milk pumps wherever possible by use of the gravity-flow system. 

 Extra labor is required for cleaning pumps, and the gi'a^ity system is more sanitary. 



Keep a close watch for leaks, spillage, slop, etc., in the milk handling, so as to 

 keep the shilnkage as low as possible. 



Drain cans well after dumping the milk. 



Have milk vats set so that they can be readily drained. 



Keep all joints in milk pipes tight to avoid leaks. 



Utilize all milk retiuned by drivers, and drain the containers after dumping. 



Shut down motors or other machinery as soon as thi'ough using them, and thus 

 avoid power waste. 



Avoid extra shafting, pulleys, etc. 



Avoid extra steam piping by proper arrangement of rooms, and thus avoid losses 

 due to condensation of steam. 



Keep steam valves and joints well packed to avoid leakage. 



Keep all machinery well oiled, but avoid waste of oil by careful use and by catching 

 the drip. 



Avoid water wastes. Save water from cooler coils and from condenser coils when- 

 ever possible. Too much water used in washing also requires extra washing powder. 

 Water hose should not be left running when not needed. 



