THE CONTROL OF MILK-SUPPLIES 555 



Score cards have become of special value in preserving records 

 of previous inspections. Comparisons show plainly whether a 

 dairy has progressed. What was considered clean a short time 

 ago is below the present standard, since one of the objects of in- 

 spection is the raising of standards. Furthermore, the chief 

 supervisor can check up the work of inspectors by means of the 

 score card. 



The inspector is told by the score card what to expect; he can 

 neglect no important points if the card is before him while he is 

 at work; and it gives him ample opportunity to consult with the 

 dairyman and win his interest in the work. The producer learns 

 from the score card what to do, and receives tacit assurance that 

 favoritism is not likely to occur. The score card has proved 

 valuable by creating a rivalry among producers, each one working 

 for a higher score than his neighbor has attained. Poor dairies 

 and those producers who are unwilling to improve are weeded 

 out, with the result that progress is encouraged. 



Some large dairies have profited greatly by the introduction 

 of the score card system. They are able to select the best 

 dairies for their supply and improve their output. By offering 

 financial advantage for high scores much has been accomplished 

 in inducing the producer to furnish a cleaner product than 

 heretofore. 



In large cities milk is now sold in bottles, except for wholesale 

 trade with large institutions. There is, however, a considerable 

 quantity of milk sold from cans, especially in smaU places. Gro- 

 cery stores frequently sell milk in bulk in any desired quantities. 

 This is a boon for poor people who are limited to a few cents of 

 milk at a time, as the price of bulk milk is somewhat lower than 

 that of bottle milk. However, there are serious disadvantages to 

 milk sold in bulk. The first customers may get richer milk than 

 the last ones, if the milk is dipped from the top of the can; or if 

 the can has a faucet at the bottom, the last customers may get 

 the best milk. Danger of odor absorption is coupled with store 

 selling of bulk milk and the chances of infection are naturally 

 multiplied. Therefore store bulk milk requires supervision. The 

 score card for rating stores as published by the Department of 

 Agriculture is shown on page 556. 



The score card system has proved so successful in rating 

 dairies and stores that supervision of milk depots, creameries, 

 and pasteurization plants has been undertaken. The forms in 

 use by the Health Department of the City of Chicago are shown 

 in Figs. 222-229. 



At present all these cards are in a stage of evolution; that is 

 to say, they are not perfect. They will be perfected in time as 



