1909.] Effect of Food on Milk Production. 



653 



at different times as to suitability of different fodders, and he 

 concludes that experience has shown that practically all 

 fodders may be used with advantage if they are wholesome 

 and the cows eat them with relish. The freer the choice given 

 to the farmer the better, as the exclusive use of particular 

 fodders is undesirable, and the practice of feeding cows with 

 a mixture of foods is to be preferred. The main points, in his 

 opinion, are that the cows should be kept in good health, and 

 sudden changes in feeding avoided ; and also that great care 

 should be paid to cleanliness and the prevention of contamina- 

 tion of the milk. Given these conditions, the best advice 

 as to feeding is to see that the drinking water is pure 

 and the straw and fodder of good and wholesome com- 

 position. 



The question of suitable and unsuitable foods was also 

 referred to in several other papers, more especially in con- 

 nection with the supply of milk for children, a matter which 

 has received great attention on the Continent. 



Dr. H. Martel, chief of the Veterinary Service, Paris, gave 

 some particulars as to the regulations in force in this connec- 

 tion in Berlin, Stockholm, and Copenhagen. In Berlin, in 

 addition to general sanitary regulations for dairies producing 

 milk for children, the use of certain materials for feeding 

 purposes is prohibited. In Stockholm the use of vetches, 

 turnips, cabbage, and distillery waste is expressly forbidden. 

 Oil cakes, earth nut, and rape are allowed to the extent of 

 1 kilo. (2*2 lb.) per head per day, but certain oil cakes are 

 prohibited. In Copenhagen the method of feeding is regu- 

 lated in the same way by the Sanitary Commission. Dr. 

 Martel observes that hygienic authorities in general are 

 agreed that the waste products of distilleries, breweries, and 

 starch factories should form no part of the fodder of cows 

 the milk of which is intended for the use of children. 



The same subject is dealt with by Professor Cselk6, of the 

 Royal Agricultural Academy, Magyarovar, who points out 

 that a review of the literature and practice as regards the 

 foods recommended for feeding cows that produce milk for 

 children reveals many contradictions, and he deduces from 

 this that perfect milk suitable for children may be produced 

 by many kinds of food, and that it is undoubtedly due to 



