People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 July 1896 — The Hand Separator. [ARTICLE]

The Hand Separator.

During the past few months numerous comunications to this station indicate that Indiana farmers are becoming much interested in the use of hand separators on the farm. Many wish to know if it will pay to buy such a machine, to replace hand skimming of milk. The hand separator consists of a small metal bowl, which is revolved with great rapidity by means of cog wheel connections. Milk turned into the bowl separates into skim milk which accumulates in the outer portion of the bowl, and cream, which gathers near the center. After the separation in the bowl, the cream and skim milk escape from it, through outlets into sep arate tubes, from which they are conducted into cans. This action of separation is continuous so long as the bowl is revolving at suitable speed. Separators are now commonly sold on tbe market, that do sat isfactory work, practically removing all of the butter fat from the milk. On the average farm, probably every 100 pounds @f skimmed milk secured by the old fashioned methods, contains from one-fourth to one-half pound of fat. More is left in the milk than farmers are often

aware of. The properly run separator removes nearly all. if not all of this. The writer believes that every person who keeps five or more cows, with the object of making as much butter from them as possible, who makes gilt edge butter, and who is interested in progressive dairying, would find in the hand separator a mon eymaking machine. Other people are likely to be disappointed. if they buy a hand separator. The following are some of the important arguments in favor of this separator: It effectually skims the milk, thereby saving all the cream or fat. Where impurities have fallen into the milk, such as hairs, dirt, manure, etc., the separator removes them, so that their influence on the cieam is much diminished. In summer, separator cream is free from milk curds, which often occur in cream ' skimmed by hand and cause trouble in butter making. The separator is also a labor saving device when one bocomes familiar with its use and care. The necessity for caring for many pans and for many cans is done away with in a large degree. There are several excellent forms of separators on the market. Prices vary according to size and make, ranging from $65. up, for first class machines. For the above price, a machine can be bought that will seperate 175 pounds in an hour. A popular and standard size, which sells for $125.00, will skim 350 pounds of milk per hour. Such a machine is used at this Station and gives perfect satisfaction. The amount of force required to turn a hand separator is not great enough to tire an average man seriously. The use of the tread power is, however, becoming extensive. Small dogs are made, selling for $150.00 or so. that are used for »running hand separators, and a larger tread power, suitable for small bulls or ponies, also used. C. S. Plumb, Director. Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station.