EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 179 



present which the cloth cannot possibly reach. Furthermore, it is very difficult 

 to keep the clotli clean. Third, scald thoroughly with steam or hot water, after 

 rinsing out the water in which the sal soda was used. After scalding, the 

 utensils should be inverted on the shelves without wiping and allowed to remain 

 in this place until ready to use. This will leave the vessels in a practically 

 sterile condition. Fourth, if it is possible to turn the inside of the vessels to 

 the sun, in a place where there is no dust, then it is desirable to expose the 

 utensils during the day to the strong germicidal action of the direct sun's rays. 

 In washing strainers, or cloth used for straining, care should be exercised in 

 placing these in boiling water a few minutes after thorough cleaning. From 

 the boiling water they are spread out to dry in a clean and dustless place. 



III. THE STABLE. 



Light, ventilation and ease of cleaning are essential to a sanitary stable. In 

 order to secure light, underground stables must be avoided, and when the stables 

 are above ground, a sufficient number of windows should be inserted. Remember 

 that there is vigor of physiological growth and reduced decomposition by the 

 introduction of sufficient light. Good ventilation is not secured unless better 

 facilities are offered than the occasional admittance of air through doors and 

 windows. This is especially true in the winter season. A continuous ventilating 

 system, such as has been devised by Prof. King,* may be recommended with much 

 confidence, because it has been successfully employed in many of the leading 

 dairy barns of the country. This system may be briefly described as consisting 

 of air shafts in the outer wall, which admit fresh air. An opening near the floor 

 carries it up to a point near the ceiling, where it is discharged into the barn. 

 Impure air is removed by flues opening near the stable floor, and extending 

 through the roof of the barn. 



That easy and thorough cleaning of floors may be assured, it is desireable 

 that the mangers and gutters be built of concrete. The floor of a truly sanitary 

 stable must not only be daily freed from manure, but must also receive a daily 

 scrubbing. The walls and ceiling should be kept free from dust and cobwebs 

 and should be whitewashed at least once each month. Lime is a good absorbent 

 of odors, and may be advantageously employed in the gutters. It checks fermenta- 

 tion, also. 



Should any fermented foods, decomposed substances, or highly aromatic foods 

 be left about the barn, or stable, the odors or aromas arising from such materials 

 are likely to be absorbed by the milk. The surroundings of the barn should be 

 kept perfectly clean, for cleanliness means pure air, better stables and clean 

 milk. 



The stalls of a stable are a very important item. They should be built for the 

 purpose of keeping the cow clean, of protecting her, and of giving her as much 

 comfort as possible. It is also desirable that the stall be of such a nature as 

 not to cause any disturbance to the milker or produce dust by his movements. 

 That the cow may be kept clean, her position in the stall should place her hind 

 feet on the edge of the gutter. In order to have comfort, she should not be 

 confined in a rigid stanchion. These purposes may be accomplished by a stall 

 closed in the rear with a chain, as shown in Figures IV and V, or tied in a half 

 stall, after the fashion shown in Figure VI. 



Figure IV illustrates an iron stall, in which the cow is not tied in any manner, 

 but held in position by means of a chain in the rear. This is known as the Drown 

 stall. While possessing all that is desirable in an ideal stall, its cost, which is 

 about $9.00, makes it quite impracticable upon many farms. The wood stall 

 of similar construction, by the same patentee, costs less than half this amount. 

 The patentee receives a royalty of fifty cents. It should also be mentioned that 

 the gates shown in the illustration may be raised up as well as moved out. 



Figure V shows a stall quite similar to this excepting the wood which is used 

 in its structure. This is known as the Bidwell stall. The manger is movable, 

 and the stall may be adjusted to suit small as well as large cows. This stall, 

 including a fifty cent royalty, should not cost above $3.50. 



Both of the above stalls are comfortable, and will keep cows clean. The cows 

 stand close to the gutter, but, owing to the chain in the rear, cannot step into 



* See "Physics of Agriculture," pages 35.5-3.57, by Prof. F. H. King, Madison, Wis. 



