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In practice, however, the milk from a single cow is seldom
sold separately and the mixed milk from a herd conforms
much more closely to the average than does the milk from
individual cows.
The composition of average cow's milk in this country is
3.75 per cent. fat, 8.9 per cent. solids not fat, and 87.35
per cent. water, as against the Government standard of
3 per cent., 8.5 per cent. and 88.5 per cent. The average
figures for all samples taken in Hammersmith during the
year (see Table IV), including samples reported to be
adulterated, were 3.61 per cent. fat, 8.77 per cent. solids
not fat.
The amount of fat in cow's milk depends upon several
factors. Chief of these is the length of intervals between
milking and the breed of the cows. When the milking
periods are not equally divided the milk obtained after the
longer interval will contain less fat than the milk from the
other milking. The more nearly equal the intervals of
milking are the more closely will the morning and evening
milk correspond in fat content.
The breed of cattle in any herd will influence the quality
of the milk from that herd. Channel Island cattle will
usually give milk with a much higher fat percentage than,
say, Shorthorns or Fresians, although the yield of milk
from the latter will be higher.
It would appear that, in recent years, many farmers have
concentrated upon obtaining an increased yield from their
cows and paid little regard to the quality of the milk.
From paragraphs which have lately appealed in the
Press it would seem that this policy is to be carried still
further. Experiments with " gland extract " injections
are being carried on which, it is claimed, will still further
increase the milk yield.
The interests of the consumer appear to be of secondary
consideration. Milk of normal quality ought to be available
to the public and the sale of milk below normal should
be an offence. By careful milking and attention to the
intervals between milking such a standard can be easily
attained for milk from a mixed herd. In my opinion the