Essentials of Suitable Locations 29 



their young stock and pigs. When they take their milk to the con- 

 densery, there is no skim milk nor buttermilk left for feeding pur- 

 poses. 



The presence of whole milk creameries and cheese factories 

 renders a locality most attractive for the establishment of milk 

 condenseries. The farmers usually have reasonably large herds, they 

 are accustomed to take reasonable care of their milk and to haul 

 it to the factory daily, and the condensery prices are generally high 

 enough above the creamery or cheese factory prices to induce the 

 farmers to patronize the condensing factory. 



Territories in close proximity of large consuming centers, 

 though dairying may have reached a high state of development, are 

 not desirable, owing to the continuous and growing demand for 

 fresh milk. Competition of this kind means high prices, which no 

 business tactics are capable of modifying. 



Water Supply. — The value to the milk condensing plant of a 

 generous and never-failing supply of clean, cool water cannot be 

 overestimated. The folly of erecting condenseries without first 

 ascertaining the water supply has in some instances compelled milk 

 condensing companies to abandon new plants, merely because of 

 lack of water. 



In addition to the water used in the boilers and for washing 

 purposes, large amounts of water are necessary for condensing and 

 for cooling the condensed milk. It is estimated that the condensa- 

 tion of one pound of fresh milk requires about three gallons of 

 water. 



The water must be pure. In spite of all precautions, it will 

 come in contact, more or less, with the milk. Though all apparatus 

 and utensils holding and conveying milk and condensed milk may 

 be thoroughly steamed after rinsing with water, there are untold 

 channels through which the milk may become contaminated with 

 polluted water. Frequently, while the milk is condensing, the vac- 

 uum pump accidentally stops. If the processor fails to immediately 

 shut ofif the water supplying the condenser, water will pour back 

 from the condenser into the milk in the vacuum pan. In the case 

 of filthy, polluted water, the entire batch may be ruined. Again, 

 the pan is usually rinsed between batches and, if the water used is 

 unclean, it will contaminate the milk of the succeeding batch. 



