CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921 — Page 338

GENERAL VIEW OF KAILUNWAN,

AERIAL ROPE RAILWAY AT POKFULUM.

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The power for the operation of this ropeway is obtained from a motor driven by current supplied by the Hong Kong Electric Company. This current is also used for driving motors for the refrigerators, grain-crushers, chaff-cutter, milk separators and butter churn. A suction gas engine is also at hand in case of emergency.

The principal dairy is the chief feature of interest on the farm. Until 1895, the only milk-collecting station consisted of a picul-stick slung from the branch of a tree for the purpose of weighing the milk. The present dairy is a modern establishment in every sense of the word, equipped with the most up-to-date appliances and incidentals.

When enjoying his morning cup of coffee, the resident of the Colony scarcely realises the difficulties that have been overcome in the humid heat and general conditions of Hong Kong, in order that he may have pure, clean milk to make his coffee really delectable. To realise these difficulties, he would need to be acquainted with the careful routine observed at the Pokfulum dairy.

First, it is imperative to take the most stringent precautions with regard to the cleanliness of the native staff. Many will appreciate the constant alertness required in this connection when dealing with a class of people who often have little idea of ordinary cleanliness, let alone such cleanliness as that of which the bacteriologist takes account. The measures adopted at the dairy however, are thorough and it may be said, effective.

The cowboys, as well as the dairy staff, are provided with clean white clothes, which are changed daily, and the men are encouraged by the provision of ample hot water to make a practice of the evening bath. All milking and dairy utensils, bottles, etc., after being scoured three times. firstly in hot water with soda, secondly in lime water, and thirdly in clean water are enclosed in a chamber and kept under steam pressure for at least half-an-hour. No can is ever taken into the cow-sheds until actually required for milking. On the milk being received at the dairy, it is strained and samples taken of the produce of each shed. Milk showing the slightest indication of dirty milking is not used for human consumption. That which is to be sold is run over a powerful cooler connected with a refrigera- ting plant, ærated, and cooled to about 40 deg. Fahrenheit before being bottled or canned. The bottling is done by an electric bottling machine, thus obviating risk of contamination by handling. Cream is obtained by a modern electrically-driven separator in the shortest possible time and

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