The invention relates to milking apparatus in which the milk line and droppers, which convey milk under vacuum from teat-cup clusters to a receiving jar, are enclosed over their major length in a water-jacket through which water is directed in a direction contrary to the flow of milk. In this way the milk is pre-cooled before it is received in the receiving jar and frothing of the milk in the receiving jar is reduced so eliminating contamination of the vacuum line by froth. The water jacket is provided with warm-water outlets for drawing off warm water from the water-jacket for washing purposes.