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30
All that is necessary is for each Urban Authority to determine the condition
of milk supplied to their district, and if found unsatisfactory, to present a
report forthwith to the Local Authority in which the farm is situated, and also
to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries.
However thorough the supervision of the farm may be, there are other
factors conducing to prejudicially affect the wholesomeness of milk during its
journey to, and arrival at, London.
These adverse conditions are brought about by:—
1.—The unsuitable type of churn generally used.
2.—The fact that in many instances the churns are returned to the
farmers from London unscalded and without any effort being made by
the Dairy Company to see that they are cleaned at all.
3.—The use of unlocked and unsealed churns which admit dust and
other impurities; and
4.—The system of mixing at the railway stations that is adopted by
the Dairy Companies.
Respecting (1) the shape of the churn usually used is ill-adapted for the
purpose, as it affords an easy resting place for all kinds of dirt, which can easily
find its way through the ventilation holes in the lid and so into the contents
of the churn, moreover it lends itself to pilfering and the addition of water.
The large wholesale dealers are being urged to adopt a more rational form
of railway can (of which there are several on the market), the use of which
would greatly minimise the danger of contamination of milk in its journey
from the cow to the consumer.
With regard to (2), the Dairy Companies have expressed their willingness
to co-operate in the direction of improving the existing state of things.
As to (3), it is remarkable that so many farmers are under the impression
that railway companies object to milk being consigned in locked churns.
As a matter of fact it is clearly stated in a leaflet, No. 110, published
by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, that railway companies do not
object to the locking system, and make no difference in the charge for such
conveyance.
An erroneous impression also prevails amongst the uninformed that milk
readily sours in a closely-covered receptacle, whereas it has been ascertained
that milk—if properly cooled after being drawn—will keep better in a
closely-covered receptacle.
With regard to (4) unfortunately, after all due precautions are taken, the
effects of such are often absolutely nullified by the filthy conditions under which
the objectionable system of mixing is carried on at railway stations.