Barn Construction and Sanitation. 365 



not take a common-sense view of the case and do with cows as we 

 have done with the human family? Why is tuberculosis de- 

 creasing in man? Are we less susceptible than of yore? Prob- 

 ably not! We are, however, taking care to provide against damp 

 sleeping-rooms, dress warmer, keep our feet dry, and do innu- 

 merable things, sensible and wise. 



(live the cows the same chance. 



The remedy seems to be three-sided — warmth, dry atmosphere, 

 secured through perfect ventilation, and the admission of the direct 

 rays of sunlight. 



The first consideration, therefore, is size. Our authorities have 

 given us 1,000 cubic feet for an animal. This is easily twice as 

 large as necessary. The barns hereinafter mentioned are built 

 giving 500 cubic feet, but it is presently my judgment that a safe 

 rule will be the floor space only that is required for the animals 

 and their care, with a nine-foot ceiling, and no stable, for what- 

 ever the purpose, should be higher. For small apartments I 

 should prefer eight to eight and one-half feet. We have only 

 the heat generated by the animals to warm this space, and of what 

 utility is the warm air found 12 feet from the floor to this poor 

 cow that, if well fed and groomed, will lie down two-thirds of the 

 time. 



Just what temperature is best I am unable to &ay. A varying 

 temperature is unsatisfactory; that is, a stable where the outside 

 changes are readily noticeable on the inside. Keeping a cow at 

 60 degrees, then at 50, again at 40 and then because her milk or 

 beef finally reaches cold storage we give the cow a trial of it for 

 24 hours, always proving disastrous to the milk yield. She adjusts 

 herself very soon to those conditions, however, and does not do her 

 best at any time. I have formerly considered 45 degrees to 50 de- 

 grees a most satisfactory temperature for northern New York, but 

 since being provided with a stable under control we have raised the 

 temperature with satisfaction, finding a range of 54 degrees to 

 60 degrees easily maintained. Being able to hold it within such 

 a narrow range seemed quite remarkable, considering the severely 

 cold weather so often experienced in Lewis county. 



At this high temperature one would not realize by the odor that 

 cows or animals were near. One of our institute workers who had 

 heard me make these statements came to our place this winter 

 and remarked on the purity of the air. Temperature at the time 

 58 degrees. Said I: Mr. Taber, have I overstated it? Said he: 

 You have not made it strong enough. 



