Advantage of Milking Machines

Advantage of Milking Machines,

The Milking Machine.

A satisfactory mechanical milker has long been one of the greatest aids of the dairy farmer. The wide opportunity offered for a successful device of this kind early attracted the attention of inventors. The reports of the Commissioner of Patents show that 127 patents on milking machines or parts were taken out in the United States alone between 1872 and 1905. The successful milker of today is the result of a long period of development. The first really practical mechanical milkers appeared on the market between 1900 and 1910. Modifications and improvements were made constantly until the development now reached a point of satisfactory service.

The use of milking machines has increased rather slowly as compared with that of some other types of machines. A large number of designs have been on the market for a time, only to disappear later. One of the discouraging things about the milking machine so far is that a large number of farmers, probably fully one-half of those who have installed them, have later discarded the machine. On the other hand, others who have used machines for several years are entirely satisfied and would not continue in the dairy business without them. This suggests that success in using a machine of this kind depends largely upon the operator.