A PURE MILK SUPPLY.*

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 140, 20 July 1914, Page 6

A PURE MILK SUPPLY. *

VALUE OF THE CURD TEST. [By the Agricultural Editor of THE STTN,] 11. Dairy factories are now turning their attention, to inaugurating a system of payment for milk and cream according to a standard of purity. If it is necessary for the butter factory to do this, taking into account the influence of the separator, is it not ten times more imperative that the milk used for human consumption should be subjected to such a test? It must be remembered that the great bulk of the milk used is consumed in a raw state. The Dairy .Commissioner recently, in outlining a scheme for dairy factories, makes the following pertinent remarks in regard to the factory system: — "After a good many years of experience, it must be candidly admitted that the official inspection of milking sheds, yards, and dairy utensils can be described only as a partial success in raising the standard of purity in factory supplies. The idea may appear correct in theory, but in practice it comes *far short of the desired end. Even if inspection were increased tenfold —and farmers would object to sueh a proposal —it would not be practicable to enforce satisfactorily a given set of rules for the treatment and handling of milk and cream on every farm. Therefore, would it not be infinitely more effective to place the: question of improving dairy factory supplies cf milk and cream- on a purely commercial basis by . paying a reduced pnee for milk of indifferent quality!" The standard of purity is determined by a remarkably process," known as the "curd test." While it is not practicable to apply it in precisely the same manner as the Dairy Commissioner suggests, unless ail milk for town supply was put through a eentral depot, yet the curd test, if used by the Health .Department, would check the sale of milk that was unfit for human consumption. Such articles as pepper and coffee are carefully watched by the authorities for adulteration, but milk may be sold in any state as long as it has not been watered. WHERE REFORMS ARE NECESSARY.

Defects in milk supply may be dealt with under two headings—those -'-over which the farmev has no control, and .those for which he is responsible. Chief among the former is the following: Want of capital; j Want of encouragement; ! Carelessness of householders. I In the investigation recently made ? land referred to previously, it was evi-; dent that lack of capital and insecurity of tenure were, to a large extent, responsible for insanitary conditions;,The man catering for town supply is the small farmer who, isStrugs gling. TJien the question of tenure of land is important. The -vvorst c'oiYditions were, usually on leasehold farms, and the length of lease did 1 not justify a man going tc -any expense upon the buildings,'etc. In' any real reform-this aspect of the question must Ibe seriously considered. Much of the icity milk supply is drawn from farm.® of thirty acres and under in extent, where the rental often runs up to £3, and even £4, per acre per annum. Perhaps the writer is correct in -sayt ing that no business receives less enj couragement from the community than ; that of the dairy farmer. The public pays only one price for milk; yet for | buttery cheese, and other foods they pay on a basis of quality. The man j who has spent a considerable amount I of money in making his cows, premises, and plant beyond reproach does not receive any more for his product than his neighbour Avho does not care what sort of milk he sells. It therefore follows that there is little encouragement to the milk producer to raise the quality and purity of his supply. THE HOUSEHOLDER'S RESPONSIBILITY. If an enquiry were conducted into tire way milk is treated by the householder, startling revelations would follow. It is incontestable that a large section of the. community has its milk placed in jugs and receptacles that are breeding grounds for microbes. It must be admitted that milk is a medium for the conveyance of tuberculosis to man, and the danger is increased when the cows suffer with the disease in the mammary organs, but a great deal of -responsibility rests with the consumer. • The most common faults with which the dairy farmer is directly concerned with may be summed up under, the following heads: — Faulty buildings; Unsuitable sites; Defective cans; Health of cows; Treatment of utensils; ! General cleanliness; Aeration and cooling. Defective constructions and badly [*A previous article appeared in THE SUN on July 18.]

ventilated cowsheds and dairies toad greatly to increase tho contamination of milk. In many cases the buildings are old and worm-eaten, and in others the location is unsuitable on account of the surroundings or want of drainage facilities. It is here that the inspector is beset with difficulties. The condemnation" of the buildings would entail considerable expense in which the tenant canxwt afford, either by reason of lack of funds or the fact of a short term Trustees of endowment lands are the greatest offenders in this respect. They are usually out to secure the greatest return from the land which they administer. A trip round the streets of the city in the early morning would convince anyone that the equipment of the dairyman might be improved. Milk cans dented and rusted are 'frequently seen. There are milk cans manxifactured-jji the Dominion that are stamped out* heavily tinned steel, rust-proof and seamless. Their use - should :be made compulsory, as froin a sanitary point of view they are far and away ahead of the ordinary can. HEALTH OF THE 00W3. The greatest question-of all is thu health of the The system of inspection followed is a haphazard one. Some six or seven years ago a largt number of cows were, condemned. In One case, that of a Government institution but a few miles from the city, the whole herd was condemned. Naturally this brought about an outcry from the dairymen. They were paid a mere tithe of the value 6£ the condemned animals. Evidently "go slow" orders were issued from those in authority. Seemingly those instructions have been obeyed to the letter. / Tnberculoeis in cattle is' itf'oet deceptive. It is usually the most > outwardly healthy eow that suffers,. ,ftnd unless evej-y beast is jubiected to, the tutor?.. culin test, any inspection is of doubtful value. The most able veterinary s#geons are frequently rat fault where they rely upon external appearances, especially where the eomplaint is tuberculosis of the most common forms of tubercular disease in dairy cattle. » Although not a master, of vital, importance at this season of the year, the provision, of proper cooling appliances should be insisted upbn." The imrnedi- . ate reduction of the animal heat of milk to. a normal temperature is essential for .the retention of ..its keeping qualities; Pasteurisation has been urged as a panacea for the removal of all ills affecting, the. milk, supply, but. authorities agree that pasteurisation hasr ■ a deleterious effect upon milk as a. * food. '• ■ ' * ." '•