Care of Milking Machine.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 12 November 1913, Page 2

Care of Milking Machine.

DEPARTMENTAL CIRCULAR,

Mr D, Guddie, Director of the Dairy Produce Division of the State Department of Agriculture, has issued a circular headed "The Cleaning of Milking Machines."

The requisites are set out as follow:—

1. Plentiful supply of clean, cold water. 2. Provision for boiling water. 3. Set of suitable brushes for cleaning rubber tubing and piping. 4. Vacuum tank should be ao placed that drainage connects mth main drain. 5. Vacuum tank should be fitted up outside the sheds where the air is pure, and in such a position that it may be easily cleaned. 6. Two or three wash-up tubs placed outside the milking-shed. 7. Have milk.pipes on automatic releasers erected in lengths of noi more than 6ft. 8. Vacuum pipes should be laid so as to allow water to be ejected or pumped through them to drain the vacuum tank. 9. Use only rubber parts which are soun d. Split inflations result in the contamination of the whole vacuum system, and whore such have been in usethorough cleaning should take place before next milking. 10. Where steam is in use the pipes should be so arranged as to allow it to be blown through th,e whole system.

Before milking operators of machines are advised to: (l)Einse all rubber parts and buckets with clean cold water ; and (2) wash cow's teats and udder with clean water and dry with a clean cloth before putting on teat-cups. For after milking thero are the following ten rules:—l. Draw cold water through teat-cups, releaser, and vacuum tank. 2, Wash any dirt from outside of teat cups and tubes after placing in tub Mo. 1. 3, Take down pipes of automatic releasers daily for washing. 4. Every day wash with a brush in hot soda-water in tub No. 2 all parts with which milk comes in contact—viz., teat-»cups, tubes, releaser-pipes, etc. This should be done as soon after milking as possible. Draw brush through daily. 5. After these parts are thor> oughly washed they should lie rinsed with clean water and then thoroughly soalded with boiling water. 6. Leave all rubbers, teat-cups, etc , in a bath of clean water to which some lime or salt has been added. This water should be fresh every day. 7. Scald aiU rubber parts daily. 8. Flush out vacuum pipes and tank with hot soda-water once or twice per week. 9. Remove bottom or top of vacuum tank daily; opening tap is not sufficient. Taps or pipes should be given special attention and left open when not in use, 10. After washing, place the milk-buckets outside and expose them to the sun and fresh air.

Here are threa "dont's" : 1. Do not use kerosene tins to carry awey milk. 2. Do not use luke-warm where scakU ing is specified. 3. Do.not use a cloth for washing anj dairy utensil : use a brush.

And in large black type farmeis are enjoined to "remember that neglect to thoroughly clean a milking-machine means impure milk." The contents of the circular ar9 said to be the result of the experience of dairy instructors, who have assisted dairymen with niilking-mucliines.