FIFTY-SECOND ANNUAL CONVENTION 211 



ing and sterilizing. In many instances, however, just as 

 with cream separators, this matter has been neglected or 

 carelessly done. Theoretically, machine-drawn milk should 

 be cleaner than that drawn by hand, because it is better 

 protected from contamination by the cow, the milker, and 

 the stable air. 



So far as quantity of production is concerned, the 

 mechanical milker seems to give as good results as ordinary 

 hand milking. It is the general practice for a hand milker 

 to follow the machine to see that the milking is completely 

 done and to draw any milk that is left. 



It has been claimed that machine milking causes udder 

 troubles, and with the earlier models there was doubtless 

 some gr.ound for such a claim, especially if they were left 

 on the teats too long. More recent makes and styles, which 

 are constructed so as not to interfere with the circulation 

 of blood through the teats, are thought to lessen the likeli- 

 hood of such trouble. Failures with the mechanical milker 

 can usually be traced to a lack of mechanical knowledge 

 on the part of the operator, carelessness of operation, or 

 lack of attention to proper cleaning of the machine. The 

 increased use of the milking machine indicates its practic- 

 ability. 



Keeping Records 



In order properly to manage a herd of dairy cows, it 

 is necessary to keep records. The system need not be elab- 

 orate, but should be sufficient to furnish accurate informa- 

 tion on milk and butterfat production of individual animals 

 and quantity of feed consumed. In addition, breeding dates 

 should be recorded and a plan of identification and registra- 

 tion of the purebred animals should be followed. One 

 should not rely on memory for such records, but should put 

 every item down in writing in such a manner that it can 

 be easily referred to when need arises. Whatever system 

 is adopted should be continued. The records should not be 

 allowed to lapse. 



