THE ECONOMIC ASPECT OF MILK PRODUCTION 581 



market. In large creameries where 10,000 or more pounds of 

 buttermilk are available the production of a pound of casein 

 costs 3 cents or less, and the yield from 100 pounds of undiluted 

 buttermilk is 2.8 to 3.1 pounds (Dahlberg). The casein is usually 

 precipitated by heating the buttermilk to 130° F. or by adding 

 1 pint of sulphuric acid, diluted with 1 gallon of water, to each 

 1000 pounds of skimmed milk. The whey is drawn off from the 

 bottom of the vat and the casein gathered on a cloth-lined drain 

 rack. The casein is washed at least twice with water, pressed, 

 ground, and spread on trays. These are introduced into a tun- 

 nel and exposed to hot air of a temperature of 130° F. for seven 

 hours. Details of the process and description of the apparatus 

 necessary can be found in Bulletin 661 of the U. S. Department of 

 Agriculture, published April 9, 1918. 



4. The present system of milk distribution involves consider- 

 able waste of energy, labor, and capital. Williams made a care- 

 ful and interesting study of the methods of milk distribution in 

 Rochester, N. Y. In one section of Rochester 57 distributors 

 supplied 363 homes. The milk wagon had to cover 30 miles, 

 while, if one distributor had delivered the milk, but Itt mile 

 would have been covered. In another section 353 homes were 

 supplied by 61 dealers, travehng 36 miles, while one distributor 

 traveling 3 miles could have accomplished the same results. 



Williams found that the 170 small milk dealers used 295 

 horses and 255 wagons for milk delivery. These horses and wa- 

 gons represent a value of $82,400. The author estimates that 

 one firm with 40 horses, 16 trucks, and 2 motor trucks, costing 

 $29,000, could have done the same work. An experiment in 

 milk distribution was made to demonstrate the enormous saving 

 possible. One driver and two assistants with a horse truck 

 carrying 1000 quarts of milk distributed 400 to 500 quarts per 

 hour, while actually the average milk dealer dehvered but 175 

 quarts daily. 



The work is summarized by the author in a table giving the 

 figures under the present system and those under a model system. 

 His charts and figures are so instructive that they are worthy of 

 reproduction here (see Figs. 233, 234). 



Perhaps it is not unreasonable to state that with proper econ- 

 omy the cost of producing and handling milk can be reduced 

 enough to offset the increased cost of sanitary milk. The pro- 

 ducer can save by business-like management of the dairy and the 

 herd. The production of the herd can be increased materially 

 with small additional expense. By economy in construction of 

 buildings the investment need not be excessive and by-products 

 can be profitably utiUzed. The producer can learn by attending 



