VOL. LXVII
INDIANAPOLIS, MARCH 23, 1912
NO. 12
Milking Machines a Success
Test in a Big Dairy Herd
THE    LABOR    PROBLEM    IN    THF
DAIRY  SOLVED.
THE   EXPERIENCE  OF  A   PRACTICAL DAIRYMAN.
By J. B.    Carney of Morristown,    Ind.
A year ago last summer, we learned
his thumbs under his suspenders while
the machines were doing the milking.
He seemed to be well pleased
with the machines and said so. So
we decided to give the milking machine a trial and the future dairy
business with us depended upon Its
success. We gave an order for a B-
L-K  milking  outfit.
Milking Machine Outfit.
Now what did    It cost?    Our    outfit
two and a half horse power, possibly
would have been large enough but we
wanted plenty of power, as we wanted
to pump water, run a cream separator,
and grindstone at the time we were
milking. By getting a smaller engine
the cost would be reduced nearly $100.
We used one and one-half inch best
grade galvanized pipe, and tried to get
as reliable gasoline engine as could be
found on the market. It ls economy
and cheapest ln the end to use best
grade material and machinery, as It
will save much trouble and operating
expense. A poor engine or uncertain
power would    certainly be    a nuisance
and do it economically, whether you
are milking by hand or by machinery.
At the time we ordered the machines
we were Just completing a new cow
barn and milk house. So the work
of installing the system was done before the cows were moved over to
their new quarters.
The barn is 110 feet long, 21 feet
wide, 10 feet high and has no loft. The
long way is east and west, two silos at
the northwest corner connected to tha
barn by an 8x12 foot silo room. A 30
by 40 foot feed barn Jolnes on the
west. 100 feet of the cow barn haa
cement floor, has sixty stalls, equipped
Interior of the Dairy Barn of J. R. Retherford  and     Sons,   Muncie,     Indiana.
'fiat Mr. Hagan of Oreetifioid. Ind. had
'"■■.tailed the machines, and was opera-
ns them on fifty to sixty cows. We
''sited Mr. Hagan and saw the ma-
' llnes working. He was very enthu-
*ast'e over machine milking. Later
'" ti»e fall we again visited Mr. Hagan
nd found him with that same big
"mile on  his  face,  leaning  back  wJth
i consists of two B-L-K machines com-
| plete,   pipe    for  plumbing    the   barn,
j vacuum pump and power. The two machines complete and  the vacuum pump
I cost $300.00. Pipe and labor of plumbing  $65.00.    Four  horse    power  gasoline  engine  $200.00.    Total  cost   $565.
It was not necessary to get so large an
engine    Just for    milking.    A    two or
to depend upon to do your milking. No;
better than uncertain hand-labor.
Arrangement of Buildings.
Next we come to tlie arrangement
and construction of the buildings and
installation of the system. The construction and arrangement of your
buildings are very important If you
want to produce a good sanitary milk
with James Swinging Stanchions, stalls
and mangers are arranged so the cowa
face each other and are all fed from
the one long feed alley. The floor haa
a 16 inch gutter four and one-half feet
from the manger. There are litter
carriers on tracks behind both rowa
of cows with cables running out 100
feet  from   the  barn.    There la a feed