MILKING MACHINE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 9543, 10 November 1892, Page 2

MILKING MACHINE.

Mr Retemgyer, of Feilding, sends to the Mumtoutu Standard the following notes in reference to the milking machino exhibited at H.twera lasL week. He writes :— ''The trial was a failure, owing to tho stupidity of the people, who would crowd round the cow 6, which could not bo gut near. It was, therefore, decided to have a trial todiy (Friday), when a number of persons interested were present. I will endeavor to describe the machine. A vacuum tunk is erected on a stand 14ft high, to tho lower part of which a pump is attached, lifting a column of water, which supplies tho vuciiuiu tank, from which a pipe leads down nml over the centre of tho bail in which the cows aro bailed. Attach* d to this pipe arc flexible tubes, and connected with a c-in, which is placed under each cow to bo operated upon. Each can has four small flexible tubes, with a tin teat cup, inside of which are indiurubber teat cups which ure placed -on each teat. The vacuum is thus turned on by a tap in the pipe to each cow, and the milking commences, if the cow will givo her milk down, which in this case Only one out of the three operated on did to any extent. lam not one to condemn on a first trial, but from what I saw I don't think tho machine is likely to come into universal uso for two reasons. It takes a certain amount of expertness to work' it, and I urn afraid a good few cowa would be dried off during tho process. This seemed to bo tho general opinion of a good many present. The machine, as shown hero by hand power, is capable of milking seven to nine cows, according as they uio hard or easy milkers, but with motive power can be cxtonded to uny number. However, ail doubts will be set at rest as to whether the machine will be a success or not, as it is to be permanently erected somewhere about New -Plymouth. One can has a pane of glass on one side through which you can sou tho milk running in, but apparently much slower than could bo done by bun I."