THE MILKING MACHINE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8757, 6 March 1907, Page 3

THE MILKING MACHINE.

Two farmers of Rougotea, Messrs Riclunond and Harper, ,scoiu to have got over tho labour trouble in a satisfactory manner as regards milking. Both are using the LawrenceKennedy milking machines, operated by Campbell oil engines. Mr Richmond, with the aid of one man is milking 70 cows a day, doing the work in from two to two aud a half hours each milking day. Eight cows are put in the bail at the same time, aud four are operated on by the milking machine in' about three and a half minutes. While the second four are being milked tho first lot arc stripped, and so the work is got through in about half the time it took four persons to do it previously. The machines have been in uso about three and a half months, and Messrs Richmond and Harper told our representative that they are quite satisfied with them. The pulsation ,'of the machines is what is termed the catch and relievo system, and does not appear to do the cows the slightest harm, even if the operation is continued a little while after milk ceases to flow. There are two tubes, the vacuum and milk tube attachedto the machine,and by means of the sight glass of the latter it can readily be seen when the milking operation has been completed. MiHarper owns CO cows and employs a young man to help him. Previously lie had to employ three men. As showing the advantage derived from the use of the machine Mr Harper mentioned that while he was unwell his assistant, with the help of a boy eleven years of age, milked tho whole 60 cows. The cost of each machine and engine was about £IBO. A twohorse power engine will work the machine, but it has been found by experience that, it is more economical to use a 4 or 4}>< horso power engine in order to consume but tho minimum quantity of oil. About 10s a week covers the cost of fuel, so our readers who are interested in this question can easily calculate tho ' gaying effected by Messrs Richmond ijiid Harper, but the saving in time, a telief in fact from tho drudgery of ; milking is also an important consideration.