Dinsioy OF AXniAL nUSBAyDRY . 391 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



DxVTRY STABLE NOTES. 



The staljle lias now boon in use for three winters and definite results reffarding 

 the construction and fittings from a practical point of view may be mentioned. 



The window ventilation has proven quite adequate for this climate. This stable 

 acconunodates forty-two head of cows. There are TOT cubic feet of air-space per cow 

 and 10 square feet of glass per cow. Altliough this space was not filled with full- 

 grown cattle, yet every stall was occupied this past winter. 



Careful record has been kept of the temi^eratures, both morning and evening at 

 5 o'clock, throughout the housing season. The average morning temperature wa3 

 55-00'', and the average evening temperature was 52-8°. The highest morning tem- 

 perature was G0°, and the highest evening temperature was GG° ; the lowest at both 

 times has been 50°. Both extremes occurred in reasonably warm weather in ^Nfarch. 

 The barn has always been free from moisture or foul air. 



This past season water bowls were installed, one between every two cows. This 

 improvement cost, including our own labour, $4.10 per cow. Watering from the con- 

 crete manger gave good results, considering that there was no money outlay, but the 

 bowl system is an improvement and has none of the objections of the former system. 

 Any protection the bowl system gives to the health of the cows, or any increase in milk 

 flow or general condition, should pay for the cost of installation. In installing this 

 system, the main feed pipe was placed on top of the concrete dyke which holds the 

 stanchions, instead of putting it on the bottom of the manger, as is often done. This 

 is found a de.'ided advantage in that it keeps the mangers clean. (Sec plate xxviii.) 



Last year was reported the stripping of the iron stall fixtures of all their " extras." 

 The barn lias been kept thus during this year and is found satisfactory. The iron 

 manger is tiie most unsightly and unsatisfactory portion of the present equipment. 



The gutter, which is T inches deep next the cows, 20 inches wide, and 4 inches 

 next the alley, has given tlie best of results for even our largest cows. The 5-foot 

 stand has proven ample for the largest cows, and has never allowed dirt to collect. The 

 3-foot G-inch width has been wide enough for the average, but hardly wide enough for 

 the largest cows, i.e., those over 1,400 pounds. The concrete stand is dry and com- 

 fortable, but needs a lot of bedding to prevent teat trouble. Straw was very scarce 

 last year and there was difficulty with bruised teats. 



On the whole, the stable is light, airy, comfortable, and convenient to work in, with- 

 out having any tendency to faddishness or luxury. 



CALF RKARTNO. 



To date no experiments have been made on the rearing of heifer calves. A few 

 well known general principles have been followed \'ery closely and as yet no failure.'? 

 are to be reported. 



It may be useful to some to outline here the method which has been followed and 

 found very satisfactory. The cows, when dry, are fed a small amount of grain and 

 enough succulent food to put tlicm in good condition. As parturition approaches, 

 they are fed some laxative food such as linseed meal (flax oil cake), in addition to the 

 regular ration. In almost every case all the calves born were perfectly healthy. In 

 some cases calves were burn with goitre, bu^, without treatment, this malady has 

 always disaiipeared. The calf is left with the cow until it has had at least one good 

 meal of the colostrum. It is then taken away and fed three times a day on warm, 

 whole milk. The amount is varied according to the individuality of the calf. They 

 are fed regularly, and each has meal as nearly as possible equal. They are always 

 fed under the limit of their appetites. After three weeks a small amount of skim-milk 

 is added to the ration. The skim-milk is increased gradually until at four months of 



AOASSIZ. 



