288 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



the Stalls. Swing stanchions are the most satisfactory for they 

 give the cows enough movement for comfort and prevent them 

 from stepping too far backward or forward. A cement floor 

 is the easiest to keep clean. 



The stable should be well lighted as darkness is the natural 

 breeding place of germs of disease. One window three feet 

 square for every two cows will furnish necessary light for a 

 stable. To be efifective they must be kept clean. 



The manure should be removed from the stable at least twice 

 a day and this before milking time. A good supply of bedding 

 helps to keep the animal clean. Straw, sawdust or shavings 

 are good materials for this. 



If one expects to maintain a healthy herd of cattle he must 

 supply them with plenty of fresh air. The King system of 

 ventilation provides for a continuous change of air without 

 exiposing the cows to severe drafts. 



Feeds that do not mterfere with the health of the animals 

 and do not injure the flavor of the milk are safe to be fed to 

 the dairy cow if they are fed wisely. Feeds such as rape, 

 mouldy hay, sour silage and sour beet pulp cause strong odors 

 in the barn and give milk a bad flavor. Such feeds should be 

 fed after milking. Cottonseed meal and oil meal should be 

 fed in moderate quantities because overfeeding of nitrogenous 

 concentrates interferes with the physical condition of the cow. 

 The dairy cow needs a good supply of pure water, as impure 

 waiter interferes with her health and therefore may injure the 

 quahty of the milk. 



The cows must be kept clean. If one does not keep his 

 cows clean he cannot expect to produce clean milk. The cows 

 ought to be carded and brushed every day as a great source 

 of contamination is found in the hair and dirt which fall from 

 the cows' flanks. The udders and flanks of the cows should 

 be wiped ofif carefully with a damp cloth just before milking. 

 The milker should wash his hands before milking and draw 

 the milk with dry hands. The cows should not be milked as 

 soon as they enter the stable and hay or bedding must not be 

 used immediately before or during the milking on account of 

 the dust which contains a large number of germs. 



