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Show Methods Used in Caring for Milk Bulletin Gives Summary of Best Known Practice in Operating Plant (Prepared by the United fltatee Department of Agriculture.) In these days of much discussion about the price and distribution of milk. It may be helpful to compare the various methods used In taking the milk from the producer and conveying it to the consumer. A bulletin recently Issued by the Department of Agriculture Agricul-ture entitled "Milk Plant Operation" tells how the work Is done. Previous bulletins In the same series have told about construction, arrangement, and equipment of milk plants, and this latest one gives a summary of the best-known practice In carrying on the business. Skill and Training Needed. "The operation of a milk plant requires, re-quires, besides general ability, considerable con-siderable technical skill and training," says department specialists. New milk plants are constantly being established, estab-lished, often by associations of farm-erg farm-erg who produce the milk, or by associations asso-ciations of producers and small dealers; deal-ers; and the success of such plants depends de-pends to a large degree on the manager man-ager and his methods. In the bulletin, the various operations opera-tions are followed through in somewhat some-what the same order as in an actual plant, beginning with prompt removal from the railroad station and suitable care on arrival at the plant. Bottling and capping methods are described. Both these operations are generally done by machinery; and a comparison Is made of the various methods and machines as to speed and cost. Insure Clean Bottles. How to wash the bottles and rid them not only of dirt or previous milk, but of bacteria ; labor expense of washing; and how Inspection may be maintained to insure clean bottles, are gone Into In detail ; also other elements ele-ments of sanitation In plants. "Bottles "Bot-tles are a serious consideration," say department specialists, "not only from the necessity of careful washing, but also from their high cost and necessity of frequent replacement." How to avoid frequent breaking and losing of bottles, and how to enlist the Interest of milk purchasers In the return of bottles, are taken up. Customers need to be Informed that the waste of bottles bot-tles Is one of the causes of a higher price of milk than would otherwise be ch urged. Waste of milk in handling or by having hav-ing too much sent out on the wagons are things that must be avoided. The bulletin tells how careful milk distribution dis-tribution .prevents leaks of milk, and how they can properly utilize what comes back on the wagons; also how to keep track of the receipts and sales; how to pay the drivers so they will take nn interest In the business; how to pay the producers; and how to deal with the problem of surplus milk. |