NEW METHOD OF MILKING.

Motueka Star, Volume IV, Issue 151, 30 January 1903, Page 4

NEW METHOD OF MILKING.

The editor of the New Zealand Dairyman is publishing a series of articles describing a new method of milking which has been tried at the Wisconsin [U.S.] University Agricultural Station. In the current number of the Dairyman Mr H. Graham, of Brenchley , Farm, Danpevirke, writes to say that he has tried the new method after reading the first article. The result- has been an increase of 2s a day on a herd of twenty cows, or a bout 12 per cent. His test of standing at. 3.5, and after two weeks’ trial of the new system it rose to 3.9. A neighbour,,Mr C. Walker, has also tried it with favourable results.

The ne.v method of milking referred to consists in following up ordinary rapid and thorough milking by a set of manipulations of the udder, which-will bring down the last traces of milk contained therein: Dairymen know that many cows will give down very slowlv the last portions of their milk, and thin streams of milk may generally be obtained for a considerable time after a full flow has ceased ; by a few manipulations of the udder this residual milk may readily be brought down in a couple of minutes time, the more milk will as a rule be obtained in this way than is possible bv the ordinary “strip-" ping’ method. Since the milk thus secured is very rich, being of the same character and composition as “stiippings,” the amount of additional butter fat obtained is considerably greate"than might be supposed from the quantity of milk brought down First Manipulation.— The right quarter of the udder are pressed against each other (if the udder is veay large, only one quarter at a time is taken) w.ith the left hand on the hind quarter and the l ight hand in front on the fore quarter, the thumbs being placed on the outside of the udder and the four fingers in the division between the two halves of the uddtr. The hands are now, pressed towards each other and at tl e same time lifted towards the body of the cow. This pressing and lifting is repeated three times, the milk collected in the milk cistern is then milked out, and the manipulation repeated until no more milk is obtained in this way. when the left quarters are treated in the same manner.

Second Manipulation.—The glands are pressed together from the side. The fore quarters are milked each by itsejf by placing one hand, with fingers spread, on the outside of the quarterand the other hand in the division between the right and left fore quarters ; the hands are pressed against each other and the teat then milked. W hen no more milk is obtained by this manipulation, the hind quarters are milked by placing a hand on the outside of each quarter, likewise with fingers spread and turned upward, but with the thumb just in front of the hind quarter. The hands are lifted and grasp into the gland from behind and from the side, after which they are lowered to draw the milk. The manipulation is repeated until no more milk is obtained.

Third Manipulation.—The fore teats are grasped with partly closed hands and lifted with a push toward the body of. the cow, both at the same time, bv which method the glands , are pressed between the hands and the body ; the milk is drawn after each three pushes. When the fore teats are emptied, the hind teats are milked in the same manner.