cows THAT ARE MILKED BY HAND tQCJ 



but this practice is by no means universal. For the 

 measures taken to keep down obnoxious odors see page 



202. 



The milk should be promptly withdrawn. This is 

 necessary as a matter of economy on the part of the 

 milker, and because of the influence in establishing habit 

 in the cow with reference to yielding milk. Some cows let 

 down their milk, so to speak, much more quickly than 

 others. This habit may be influenced by the manner 

 in which the milk is withdrawn. It is important, 

 therefore, that it be withdrawn promptly. The im- 

 portance of withdrawing milk with reasonable quick- 

 ness is greatest during the first period of lactation. The 

 difference in milkers in their ability quickly to take 

 milk from the same udder is marked. 



The milk is best withdrawn by those who find 

 pleasure in the work. To obtain the aid of such is one 

 of the greatest obstacles in the path of the dairyman. 

 Such a milker will not be rough or boisterous with the 

 cows, and will never abuse them. The boisterous, 

 rough, unfeeling man who has a positive aversion to 

 milking will prove a costly milker. When farm hands 

 must needs be pressed into the work of milking, they 

 approach it with a feeling of aversion, and the results 

 are never entirely satisfactory. The dairyman who can 

 milk his cows largely or entirely through help from his 

 own household may be regarded as fortunate. Women 

 make the most gentle milkers, and, in consequence, are 

 the most satisfactory. When the girls of sufficient age, 

 of the home, can do a part of the milking, it is good for 

 the milk-giving of the cows and is good exercise for 

 the girls. The danger is looming up, however, that milk- 

 ing may soon become a lost art to American women. 



Experience has shown that, in very many instances, 

 a change of milkers results in a decrease in the quantity 

 of milk given. This does not follow with all cows, nor 

 to the same extent with all milkers, but it does follow 



