THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
February 1?, 
134 
Live StockandDairy 
A MILKING MACHINE 
Study of Its Present Possibilities. 
Is the Machine Practical? —This is 
a question very properly in the minds of 
dairymen, and it is an important one. 
If we can get a machine with which one 
or two men can milk from 25 to 75 cows, 
do it well, and at a cost for the outfit 
within the means of the dairyman, who 
must get a large part of his living from 
his cows, it certainly will be in demand. 
Being in the Mohawk Valley, where there 
are several machines in actual operation 
on dairy farms, I took the opportunity to 
visit a dairy at milking time. I went un¬ 
announced, so I would see the workings 
under everyday conditions, and not in 
special order for company. 1 his puts 
me in a position to speak of the outfit just 
as I saw it, either to condemn or com¬ 
mend. I must say I went very sceptical 
as to its practicability, and 1 went away, on 
the whole, agreeably disappointed. I be¬ 
lieve that a machine has at last been in¬ 
vented, which after a little longer use to 
develop and correct weak points, will help 
to solve the growing problem of proper 
help to do the milking. I also believe it 
will be an important step in making sani¬ 
tary milk; for with it the milk is not ex¬ 
posed to the air, and is completely shut 
in from particles from cow, milker or 
stable, between the udder and the pail, 
thus lessening the extra expense in mak¬ 
ing such milk. Of course sanitary milk 
means the perfect sterilization of all pipes 
and a , ' r >aratus connected with the ma¬ 
chine. It would seem with the machine 
as I saw it. this can be done as thoroughly 
as can the ordinary utensils. Necessarily 
they must be carefully looked after, or 
they will be a source of contamination, in¬ 
stead of protection. 
Description of the Plant. —First 
there must be "ower. In this case it was 
derived from a five horse-power electric 
motor; the farm being close to a trolley 
line. 'I bis power runs a pump, which is 
attached to a metal air compresser, that 
draws the ai*r through three-fourths inch 
iron pipes run above the fastenings of the 
cows, with a tee and cut-off between 
every two cows. To this tee is attached 
a rubber pipe running to the top of a 
five gallon tin vessel, set between the two 
cows. From this top or cover, run two 
more rubber pipes, one to each cow, to 
which are attached four small pipes; on 
the end of each is a hard rubber tube re¬ 
sembling a telephone receiver. In the 
mouth of this is a rubber band that goes 
•about the teat, like the mouth of a calf, 
thus milking two cows and all four teats 
of each at the same time. A loose girth 
about the cow’s body holds the “suckers” 
in place. I placed my finger in the end 
of one of these, and after the “cut-off” 
was opened, the motion was very similar 
to that of a sucking calf. A small glass 
was on the end of each pipe, where it was 
attached to the cover, so one could see 
when the milk ceased to flow. There 
were thirty cows in this dairy, and four 
of these machines. Thus eight cows were 
milked at once, a man and a boy tending 
them. The machine would milk two cows 
at once, not twice as quickly as two men 
would, for there is a little time lost in 
adjusting the machine, although it was 
done very quickly. Did they milk clean? 
In the majority of cases, yes; one cow 
that I tried with rather a fleshy udder 
had so much milk left, that I could milk 
a good stream with a full hand. The 
man said they went over them afterward. 
Satisfaction Given. —How did the 
cows stand? Very quiet, more so than if 
hand milked, and no bad effects followed 
if the machine was left on too long. If 
the working of the udder, as is done by 
hand, could be done by the machine, I be¬ 
lieve the milking would be perfect. I 
took some pains to interview those who 
were using other machines, and others 
who were their neighbors. Sometimes 
after a man has bought an expensive new 
machine he does not see all its faults. One 
man has used six all Summer, a man and 
a boy milking 60 cows. He used a three 
horse-power gasoline engine; said half 
that power would be sufficient and that 
he would not part with it for twice the 
cost if he could not get another. On an¬ 
other farm they used one last Summer 
when the time was valuable, and the cows 
milking heavily. Now they milk by hand. 
but expect to use the machine again next 
Spring. Another place, the day the milk 
was tested, they milked by hand. One 
man ran his by a two-horse tread power. 
What of the Cost?— The equipment, 
other than the power, will depend on the 
size of the stable to a great extent. I 
should not think it should be over $100. 
Then each machine costs $75. This 
would make the outfit I saw (four ma¬ 
chines) cost $400, exclusive of power. 
On rnanv farms there is an engine or 
other power that could be utilized for this 
purpose without additional expense ex¬ 
cept of attaching to the pumps. The ma¬ 
chine is simple and should be durable. 
The one I saw had been in use over six 
months, and the tubes were as good as 
new. The rubbers in the “receiver” have 
to be renewed occasionally. It should 
not be difficult to clean them thoroughly. 
A couple of men can take care of a large 
number of cows. With free milkers they 
will milk clean. Others must be looked 
after. With most of the cows milked 
clean, there would be a tendency to neg¬ 
lect the few. In fact, the record is that 
where they have been longest in use, the 
cows have given rather less milk. At 
present they cost too much for the farmer 
of limited means, particularly if he also 
has to buy power. This has been the case 
with all new machines, and the price will 
undoubtedly be reduced as they come into 
genera] use. T believe that within a few 
years the weak points will be overcome, 
and the machines be a factor in all large 
dairies. I think that now, where a man 
can afford the expense, and is short of 
help, he is safe in putting in the machine, 
if he will see that the udders are worked 
somewhat during milking, and all cows 
are surely stripped out. Further, our ex¬ 
periment station at Geneva has a similar 
machine, but of a different make, installed 
and purposes to give it a thorough and 
most practical test. Within a year—per¬ 
haps less—we shall know from them all 
the good and weak points. Meantime. I 
shall “possess my soul in patience, re¬ 
deeming the time,” by hand milking, until 
the day dawns, and the shadows of de¬ 
fects and great cost flee away. 
EDWARD VAN ALSTYNE. 
Bottled Mii.k.—I n relation to the question 
of XV. M. C., page 46. his bottled milk will 
never give satisfaction (he way he handles it. 
It ought to be bottled where produced, as soon 
as' the animal heat has been removed. Good 
straight dairy milk shows up fairly well 
bottled by retailer, but same milk bottled by 
producer looks like a different article. Cream¬ 
ery milk is no good to bottle by retailer. 
A ’ milkman should know more about milk 
than his customers; if he cannot see the 
cream line he cannot expect his customers 
to do so. Get your milk shipped in bottles, 
or there will always be a “kick.” 
Brooklyn. ex milkman. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. aud you’ll get.. a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See guarantee, page IS. 
St. Jacobs Oil 
for many, many years has cured 
and continues to cure 
RHEUMATISM 
NEURALGIA 
LUMBAGO 
BACKACHE 
SCIATICA 
SPRAINS 
BRUISES 
SORENESS 
STIFFNESS 
FROST- BITES 
Price, 25c. and 50c, 
MILK TUBES' 
Indorsed by leading veterinary 
surgeons. Coin Silver50c. Set of four 
$2. TeatOpener75c. Dilating Plug 25c. 
Milk Fever outfit $1. Teat Slitter 
*1.50. Postpaid on receipt of price 
Full directions. 
GKO. P. PILLING & SON, Philadelphia. Pa. 
A DOUBLE QUICK FATTENED 
Plan to get your stock to market when the prices are high. Use Tonic 
Stock Food. It brings beef cattle, hogs, sheep and horses into the best of con¬ 
dition in from 10 per cent to 25 per cent less time than by ordinary feeding 
methods. Tonic Stock Food is not a poisonous stimulant, but a vegetable, con- 
dimental appetizer. It assists the digestive organs to dissolve and appropriate 
one-fifth larger percentage of regular food rations. Ionic Stock hood is made in 
one nttn larger percentage oi 1 |*> g ^ parate for?nula8> especially fitted to the needs of 
horses, hogs, dairy cows and for general feeding. Feed 
it with any rations. "Elgin Brand” Tonic Stock Food 
costs 53.50 per hundred, freight paid. Catalog free. 
Write now. Ask your dealer for Tonic Stock F 
“Elgin Brand.” If he hasn’t it, remit us the price. V 
. Be sure to state what kind of stock you 
da 
ship direct. __ — . . 
wish to benefit. Address Dept. 17, and get souvenir calendar. 
AGENTS WANTED 
TRADE 
MARK 
TONIC STOCK FOOD CO., ELGIN, ILLINOIS. 
BERKSHIRE SOWS. 
ported boar and well bred dams. 
907 Liberty St., Pittsburg, Pa. 
A few good ones 
cheap from my im- 
R. F. SHANNON, 
Large Eng. Berkshires 
Imported and Domestic Strains. Matings not akin. 
Descriptive circulars on application. 
WILLOUGHBY FARM, Gettysburg, Pa. 
^ ■ -JL ■ CJ* Kach 
2 Sows bred to farrow in March, price.@35 
5 Gilts bred to farrow In March, price. 25 
1 H'wd tsoar. 2 years old. 25 
1 7 Months Boar. 15 
Pigs 5 months old, price. @10 to 12 
CUMBERLAND FARM, Gettysburg. Fa. 
KENTUCKY JACK FARM. 
A fine lot of big Black well-bred 
KENTUCKY JACKS, also Im¬ 
ported S F A NI 8 H JACKS, 
selected by me personally from 
the very best breeds of Jacks in 
Spain. We furnish a certificate 
of pedigree with each Imported 
Jack. Come and see me or write 
—" for prices. I can please you. 
JOE E. WRIGHT, Junction City, Ky. 
KENTUCKY JACKS 
AND STALLIONS. 
One hundred head of 
Jacks, Jennets, Saddle, Trotting 
and Pacing Stallions and some nice 
Poland China Hogs, We won more 
premiums on Jacks than all other 
breeders combined at Ky. State Fair 
1905. Write for what you want. 
J. F. COOK & COMPANY, Lexington, Ky. 
Branch barn for jacks, Marion, Kansas. 
Shetland Ponies 
ties, $235. TAYLOR FARM, Wooster, Ohio. 
50 head from $90 up. 
Black 42-inch team, beau- 
CII AIN-HANGING 
CAULK STANCHION 
The Most Practical 
CATTl.E FASTENER 
ever invented. 
Manufactured and for 
sale by 
O. II. ROBERTSON, 
Forestville, Conn. 
CHAIN 
HANGING 
STANCHION 
WARRINER’S 
HOLDS THE 
ANIMALS AS 
FIRMLY 
AS RIGID 
STANCHIONS 
AY B. CItUMB, 73 Main St., Forest ville,Conn. 
THE LANGWORIHY SPAVIN CURE, 
The Cure that CURES, lias made thousands of 
dollars for owners of lame horses by making them 
sound, Sent post-paid to any part of the World on 
receipt of Two Dollars. Guaranteed to cure the 
worst cases of SPAVIN, RINGBONE, SPLINT, 
Etc., or money refunded. Send for circulars, 
LEWIS BROS., Proprietors, Jordan, N. Y. 
,DEATH TO HEAVES 
NKWTOIPS He.TC, Cough, DU 
temper uud lndlge.tlOB Cure. 
A veterinary specific for wind, 
r .,-0 throat and .stomach troubles. 
Strong recommends. $1.00 per 
can, of dealers, or Kxp. prepaid. 
TheNewton Remedy Co- 
Toledo, Ohio. 
Dr. Holland’s Medi¬ 
cated Stock Salt 
has no rival as a Conditioner and 
Worm Destroyer. A true remedy 
for the ills or stock. Health,Thrift 
and Rapid Growth are the results 
of its use. Guaranteed to accom¬ 
plish what Is claimed for it. Ten 
(10) feeds for a cent. 
TlfR HOLLAND STOCK REMEDY 
COMPANY, WELLINGTON, OHIO. 
Write for Booklet. Agents W auteo 
A Lady can hold him. 
of the BEERY BIT 
TOUR 0ITS IN ONE 
Corea Kicker*, Kunawaya, Fuller,, 
Shyer*, etc. Send for Bit on Ten 
baja’ Trial and circular showing 
tlic four distinct ways of using it. 
Prof. J.Q. lieery, Pleasant 1I1U, Ohio, 
nUROC-JERSEY PIGS and BREI) SOWS. All 
stock eligible to registry. Write for prices. Ad¬ 
dress A. B. WOODHULL, Wading River, N. Y. 
Reg. P. Chinas, Berkshires and C. Whites. 
8 wks. and older, mated not akin. Ser¬ 
vice Boars, have stock returned, re¬ 
fund money if not satisfactory. Reg. 
_ Holsteins. Heifers, Bulls and Cows 
in Calf. Hamilton & Co., F.rcildoun, Chester Co., Pa. 
SPRINGBANK HERD 
LARGE BERKSHIRES 
All ages and sexes, son of Lord 
Premier, No. 50001, the $1,500 Boar, at head of herd. 
Send for booklet. 
J. E. WATSON, Prop., Marbledale. Conn. 
ALL ABOUT HOLSTEINS 
Scud postal card for 64-page illustrated pamphlet, 
describing this great breed of cattle. 
_ P. L. H OUGHTON, Sec’y, Braitleboro, Vf. 
GUERNSEY BULL CALVES from two to ten 
months old; fine individually and best of breed¬ 
ing. W. A. ALEXANDER, Union Springs, N. Y. 
ICHLAWN FARM 
HIGH CLASS HOLSTEIN-FRIESIANS. 
F. P. KNOWLES, Auburn, Mass. 
BULLS IN SERVICE. 
Canary Mercedes’ Son, whose dam, Canary 
Mercedes, has an official record of 25 lbs. 2 oz. Butter 
in 7 days. Her milk averaging 4.92 per cent butter 
fats and 4.5 per cent fat for 30 days. Her milk, and 
that of her five daughters, three of them with records 
over 20 lbs. all in official tests averaging 4.15 per cent 
butter fats. 
Oakland Sir Nanette, whose dam, granddamand 
sire’s dam have official butter records that averaged 
22 lbs., and whose milk averaged 4.27 per cent fats. 
Write for information and prices on choice animals. 
H 
Holstein Bull Calves. 
$20.00 to $20.00 
Cheaper than you can purchase elsewhere, quality 
considered. WiiteforPnoTOGnAPHSandP edighkes. 
We also offer special bargains in cows and heifers 
bred to our great Sir Koriulyke Manor De Kol Jr. 
RIVKNBUKGH BROS .Hillhurst Farm, Oneida. N. Y. 
FARM 
Holstein Cattle. 
Home of Lord Netlierland DeKol. Great sire of high 
testing butter cows. He lias 34 A. R. O. daughters. 
High class stock at prices that will make you a profit. 
Let us quote you prices on anything you may need. 
E. C. BRILL, Pougluiuag, N. Y. 
UJA Altl ft ft] — Shorthorn Cattle and 
vvUUULAiiU Ti iis sl w > 
■■ w w WOOD, Williamsport, 0. 
Pure Bred Holstein-Friesian Bull Calves 
From Registered and Record Stock. ALFALFA 
SOIL from lots that have raised alfalfa for the past 
five years. Prices moderate. Write promptly. 
W. W. CHENEY, Manlius, New York. 
THE BLOOMINGDALE HERD OF 
HOLSTEIN-FRIESIANS 
are bred for large Production. Good Size, Strong 
Constitution, Best Individuality. 
If these are the kind you want write or come to see 
them. 125 to select from. A"imals of both sexes 
and all ages to offer at prices that will please you. 
A special offer on some nicely bred Bull Calves. 
A. A. CORTELYOU, Neshanic. N. J 
Holstein-Friesian Bull Calves 
FOR SALE. 
From choice A. R. O. Dams, and by such sires as 
Beryl Waynes Paul DeKol and Sir Korndyke Manof 
DeKol. We will make attractive prices on these 
youngsters as they must be disposed of to make room 
for our crop of Winter Calves. Write for prices oa 
anything needed in Holsteln-Frlesians. 
WOODCBEST FARM, Rifton, Ulster Co.. N.V. 
Star Farm Holsteins. 
$20,000 in Registered Holstein Cows. 
Service bulls, heifers and calves to be sold within 
tlie next 3(1 days. Unprecedented sale. Unprece¬ 
dented prices. The Chance of a Lifetime, 
Illustrated Circulars Sent Free. 
HORACE L. BRONSON, 
Dept. D. Cortland, N. Y. 
If you are going TTT^^T l"Tp i *W"TVT BULL, and will write us 
to buy a J.A,* M " Ji J. just what you want, we will 
send full pedigrees and descriptions, together with prices that will convince you that we have high-class 
animals at low prices. The Stevens Brothers-Hastings Company, 
BROOK8IDE HERD. Lacona, Oswego Co., N, Y. 
LAFAYETTE STOCK FARM, 
LAFAYETTE, INDIANA. 
J. CROUCH & SON, Proprietors 
Largest Importers of Oldenburg German Coach, Perclieron and Belgian 
Stallions in America. Have Imported 357 head in the last fifteen months, 
We won all possible prizes shown for and Grand Championship with 
our German Coaehers and Belgians at the Lewis & Clark Exposition, 
- Portland, Oregon, at the American Royal Live Stock Show, Kansas City, 
Missouri, and at the Toronto Exposition at Toronto, Canada, and all the leading State Fairs and Horse 
Shows in the United States in the last two years. We have the prize winners or the world and our prices 
are no higher than others. Write us for further information. J. CROUCH & SON, LaFayette, 
Indiana, .Staunton, Vi-ginia and Nashville, Tennessee. 
We have just received in our Barns from Europe, 10O Head of HIGH CLASS GERMAN 
COACH, PERCHERON aud BELGIAN STALLIONS. 
