74 CLEAN MILK 



meal is linseed meal. The exact amount of fat in the daily ration 

 is not of much moment, but we should endeavor to approximate 

 "Wolff's feeding standard with the more recent modification of 

 adjusting the ration somewhat to the quantity and richness of 

 the milk-yield. An amount of salt equal to one teaspoonful should 

 be given with the feed of each cow twice daily. 



Cows may be watered to advantage twice daily; once before 

 they are turned out for pasture or airing, in the morning, and again 

 before the evening feeding. The best method is to always have 

 "water before the cows. The greater amount of water cows drink,, 

 the greater their milk-yield- — within certain limits. 



The matter of a pure water supply in the pasture, farm and 

 dairy is of great significance. This is the case, not because the milk 

 is contaminated by germs or poisons swallowed by the cow in im- 

 pure water, but because the cow's udders become contaminated from 

 wading in impure water. The dairy utensils may likewise be con- 

 taminated by washing them in an infected water supply containing 

 the germs of typhoid fever or dysentery. The presence of pools of 

 water in pastures which in any way can be polluted with human- 

 excrement or urine should be avoided. Germs or micro-organisms 

 existing in stagnant pools in pastures may impart a fishy taste to 

 milk when such water is wallowed in or swallowed by cows. Water 

 for cattle and for dairy purposes is best obtained from a public 

 water supply of known purity, but when this is not possible a 

 spring, away from sources of pollution, or a driven well, may afford 

 excellent water. Cows do not like very cold water. Avoid giving 

 it to them when possible. The neighborhood of a privy or manure 

 pile should always be shunned, and surface drainage of any kind 

 should be prevented from entering the well. Below the depth of 

 three and one-half feet germs do not live in the soil. Where there 

 is any doubt — and some doubt must always exist concerning open 

 wells and those situated near dwellings — a half gallon of the water 

 should be submitted to a competent chemist for analysis. Wells 



