l6 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



young stock will not need more than four feet while large Hol- 

 steins should have five and a half. The gutter should be deep 

 and not too wide. From 8 to lo inches deep and from 12 to 

 14 inches wide will hold the manure and be deep enough so the 

 cows will not stand or lie in it, and narrow enough so they will 

 step over it without danger of slipping. 



The construction of the floor has much to do with the com- 

 fort of the cows, and also with their cleanliness. Cows stand- 

 ing on a platform too long for them can only be kept clean with 

 the greatest difficulty. On the other hand if the platform is too 

 short they are continually standing down in the gutter, and when 

 lying down are extremely uncomfortable. The easiest way to 

 regulate length of standing-way is, to have the tie made four 

 feet from the gutter at one end, running to five or five and a 

 half at the other. The cows can then be arranged in order of 

 their size. There are a number of patent stalls on the market 

 that can be set at a proper length to fit any cow, but these are 

 relatively expensive and are not always satisfactory. 



There are many ways of tying the cows. The ideal method 

 is to put each cow in a box stall. That requires too much room 

 and too much work for the average barn. The patent stalls on 

 the market of the Bidwell and Drownd type are likewise too 

 expensive for most farmers and are not perfect in their results. 

 I believe that the best all round tie, every thing considered, is 

 a well made swing stanchion. It is cheap and durable. It keeps 

 the cow where you want her, and it is comfortable. A chain 

 around the neck, attached to an upright post on which it can slip 

 up and down, does very well. 



Smooth walls and tight ceilings keep out dust, and are easily 

 cleaned. The open ceiling is a fertile source of dust on the 

 cow's back and in the air, and consequently in the milk pail. 

 You must have a floor for your mows. It is very little more 

 expense to have one made of matched lumber than to have it 

 rough and loose. It is much better to work on as well as to 

 save dust from falling into the stable. 



The barn is made lighter and cleaner and more healthful by 

 the liberal use of whitewash. It should be used twice a year, and 

 may be put on with a brush or with a spray pump. If the white- 

 wash is well made and carefully strained it will not clog up the 

 spray nozzle, and will stick to the ceiling very well. 



