DAIRY PROBLEMS | 181 
vessels, so as to expose less surface for the entrance of dirt, and 
they also have in the opening some kind of a cloth strainer for 
catching the larger particles of dirt, thus keeping them from the 
milk (Fig. 41). 
Milking Machines. —Milking machines are now very com- 
monly employed in dairies. These consist of rubber tubes ending 
in special cups for attachment to the teats of the cow, and con- 
nected at the other end with large pails 
that can be sterilized. The pails are con- 
nected with a system of vacuum tubes, and 
at the point where the rubber tubes are 
attached to the pail there is a mechanical 
device by which the vacuum.-is made to 
draw the milk through the tubes inter- 
mittently, thus imitating natural milking. <= — 
It would seem that such a plan, which Bicep hee Boatehes 2 go> 
carries milk directly from the teat to the to keep out the dust which 
sterilized pail, would be almost ideal, and ot Hanagy Ae. een Sete 
would practically remove all dirt contam- 
ination. Where these machines have been intelligently used 
they have been found efficient in producing a very clean quality 
of milk. But the long rubber tubes are by no means easy to keep 
clean, and when they are used by careless employees, the bacteria 
become.very abundant inside the tubes and the other parts of the 
somewhat complicated machine. In other words, it requires very 
great care to clean and sterilize these milking machines in order 
to produce even as good results as are obtained by hand milking. 
But if sufficient care be taken in cleaning the apparatus, it gives 
very satisfactory results. 
Rejecting Fore Milk.—For reasons already indicated, the first 
milk drawn at each milking will contain more bacteria than the 
rest. The practice of rejecting the fore milk, either allowing it to 
waste upon the floor, or collecting it in a separate dish, is no doubt 
