Dairy Suggestions from Europe. 



207 



an untidy, uninviting, and in many cases, absolutely filthy place where, 

 to the disgrace of civilization, human food is produced. In Holland a 

 cow stable is as clean and carefully cared for as any other room in the 

 hoiLse. The Holland cow stable usually contains from twelve to sixteen 

 double stalls, the floor of which is raised about eighteen inches. In one 

 stable this portion of the floor was covered during the summer with 

 small white sea shells; in another it was covered w-itli matting, while 

 the floor behind the stalls w^as of polished stone. The woodwork in all 

 of the stables w^as neatly painted a bright blue. Some are elaborately 

 appointed. On the floor of one stable, around each stall was a row oi 

 China plates, and at the end of each division between the stalls was a 

 milk stool on which rested a plate. In one stable a polished copper tea- 



A tenant farmer's cow stable in Holland. Note the raised platform and double cow 



stalls with windows in front. 



kettle occupied the stool at each stall and the partitions between the 

 stalls were covered with fine riigs. The small semi-circular windows in 

 front were draped with lace curtains. In one end of this room was ex- 

 hibited a fine specimen of wood carving. The family frequently occu- 

 pies a portion of the stable itself. In several instances the dining room 

 was at one end of the stable and either a sewing room or kitchen at the 

 other end. The parlor and other living rooms are separated from the 

 cow stable by a single partition. 



When winter comes the plates, shells and carpets are removed. The 

 cows are arranged in the stalls so that the largest ones are in the center, 

 thus giving the herd a more uniform appearance and causing them to 



