556 Reading-Course for Farmers. 



excellent so far as preserving the manure is concerned, but is not the most 

 sanitary for the cattle. It may be stated that Cornell University has such 

 a covered barnyard, which is 40 x 60 feet, and it accommodates about 

 thirty head of cattle. Into this covered area the manure from eight to ten 

 horses is dropped from above and the manure from the cattle is also 

 placed with a minimum amount of bedding, so that the conditions are by 

 no means ideal. Professor Pearson, however, found by appropriate test 

 less bacteria in this room than in a milk-cooling room especially con- 

 structed for the purpose of keeping the bacteria out of the milk. This 

 test, of course, did not show the influence from the din which might 

 cling to the animals, but did jjhow that the atmosphere was comparatively 

 pure so far as the bacteria were concerned. The explanation probably is 

 that the mass of manure being moist tended to keep down the dust in the 

 covered barnyard, while the swinging doors to the milk room tended to 

 keep the dust in motion. 



In some instances, animals are given single box stalls and the void- 

 ings remain there imtil convenient to remove, which may be several 

 months. The experimental data which has been collected shows clearly 

 that the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as the 

 total organic matter preserved, is as great if not greater than by any other 

 method. 



This is not so unsanitary as may seem at first sight. If bedding 

 is used with reasonable freedom, better results can be secured than is 

 frecjuently done in ordinary stalls. Tne greatest perfection in sanitary 

 conditions will not be secured, however. 



An objection to the use of box stalls is that more space per animal 

 is required and more labor is needed in feeding, and, if milch cows, in 

 milking. More bedding will also be required, which on many eastern 

 farms is at present a matter of prime importance. 



VIII. To secure the health and comfort of animals 



There has been much controversy over the effect of keeping animals 

 tied in stalls throughout the winter season. Some have preferred to turn 

 the cows out of doors during the day rather than have them constantly 

 confined, while others have used the covered barnyard. Still others have 

 had no evil results from keeping animals constantly tied throughout the 

 winter season. 



It may be taken as a general rule that when any animal is about to 

 become a mother, she should have opportunity to get a reasonable amount 

 of exercise and freedom of movement. The difference of opinion on the 



