1883.] • THE VENTILATION OP FARM BUILDINGS. 189 



as good as any other part of the potato, as far as our experi- 

 ments have gone. 

 Adjourned to Friday. 



THIRD DAY. 



Friday, Dec. 15th. 



The Convention was called to order at 10.30, Hon. Albert 

 Day of Brooklyn in the Chair. 



The Chairman. I have the pleasure of introducing to you 

 Dr. George A. Bowen of Woodstock, a gentleman who finds 

 time to practice his profession, and to devote considerable at- 

 tention to the cultivation of a fine farm, and the rearing of 

 excellent stock ; a gentleman who, I know, is a practical 

 farmer, a good physician, and one who knows whereof he 

 treats. 



THE VENTILATION OF FARM BUILDINGS. 

 Dr. George Austin Bowen, Woodstock. 



Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen : 



At the first thought it would seem to most persons that this 

 subject was of too trifling an order to occupy the attention of a 

 convention of this character. But from an extensive acquaintance 

 with the nature of the farm buildings throughout the State, I am 

 led to believe that it is not only a very necessary one, but one 

 that the circumstances of the market, the drift of sanitary intelli- 

 gence, and the sentiments of the times will in the near future com- 

 pel us to investigate. It is beginning to be mooted abroad, and 

 if there is anything in it, it becomes our character as business 

 men, as well as scientific men to inquire into its claims. 



When the yovmg animal is first ushered into the world, there 

 comes a convulsive struggle to fill its lungs with air. The lung- 

 cells expand, the air rushes in, and at once commences a new life 

 by the oxidation of the blood, which has heretofore been elaborated 

 through the system of its mother. It can exist a goodly length 

 of time without food, but for its whole life pure air must be un- 

 ceasingly supphed; should it be shut off but for a limited space, 



