DAIRYING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 52, 19 July 1912, Page 8

DAIRYING.

THE SIMPLEX RELEASEE. The high price of land has' shown the need for a system of more intense farming on scientific lines, whilst the labor problem has also shown the necessity for the adoption of labor-saving appliances. In the dairying industry this need is particularly felt, not only in the dairy factory, but especially in the shed. Anj'thing that tends to the more cleanly, efficient and economical handling of milk, the staple product of Taranaki, should be welcomed with avidity by local farmers. The introduction of milking machines has revolutionised milking, turning what was formerly drudgery into a pleasant and profitable occupation. Of all the milking machines on the market none is more favorably known than the Simplex, which was the invention of Mr. John Blake, a dairy farmer of Otakeho, Who, in 1910, disposed of his patent rights to a company, whose headquarters are in Wanganui (Messrs. Cornwall and Whitcombe, local agents). The principle of the machine is too well known to need recapitulation here, but our representative was present at a demonstration of the Simplex automatic milk releaser at Mr. H. Sampson's shed (Bell Block) yesterday, which marks a further stage in the advance of modern dairying appliances, inasmuch as it delivers the milk from the eow direct to the separator or milk stand as desired, thus obviating any milk carrying. The releaser is of very simple construction, and can be fitted to any shod for any number of cows, in a very short space of time. It consists of two shallow cans, one placed on top of the other. It is stationary, and there is no tipping. No sliding valves are used, ar.il the action is entirely automatic, requiring no adjustment. The cycle of operations is as follows:—The milk runs into the top can from the milk pipe, through a valve seated in the bottom of the top can into the lower can. The milk, as it rises in the bottom can, lifts a float with a valve on it, until the valve is closed. This cuts off the bottom can, and air entering through a tiny hole in : the lower can allows the milk to flow out through a flap valve. While this is going on the milk is running into the top can, gradually lifting a float there. After this rises a certain distance it exposes a hole in the spindle, on which the float works, thus establishing communication between the cans. The vacuum then exhausts the air from the bottom can, and as the bottom float is held up on to its seating solely by the vacuum in the top can, immediately the air is exhausted in the lower one, there is nothing to 'hold it up and it drops, and the milk follows it into the lower can. This cycle is repeated indefinitely. The advantages of this action are that there are no adjustments to be made, and it is entirely automatic. There is nothing to get out of order, and a child can put it together. The main point aimed at after efficiency is cleanliness, and this is brought to such a pitch that the whole releaser can be taken down, washed with a cloth and put back ready for work within five minutes. The pipes connecting with the cows' teats are especially made for the purpose, and have the endorsement of the Department of Agriculture. The shoot from -the releaser to the cans or separator is of tinned and planished copper, and is easily cleaned. With this machine- there is no necessity to use an aerator, as the process of running through the pipes cools the milk. For testing individual cows—a necessary feature of modern dairy farming a bucket is supplied, which can be placed in any bail without interfering with the rest. The releaser is the invention of Mr. C. H. Davis, chief engineer to the) company. It can be supplied at a rea- • sonable cost, and can also be fitted to j any make of milking machine, the company guaranteeing satisfaction. There I has already been a great demand for it J in other parts of the colony, where it is j rapidly superseding other makes, and we I feel sure the work it performs has only to be witnessed by any intelligent farmer for its advantages to be at once apparent. At the demonstration yesterday there were present a number of interested farmers. Further demonstrations will be given at Mr. H. Sampson's shed this morning and afternoon by Mr. A. D. Caff, representative of the company, and should attract large gatherings. It is Mr. Cuff's intention to tour through Taranaki, and he will give practical demonstrations at Egmont Village, Okato and Ra'hotu next week.—Advt.