BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 175 



is more simple than a number of separate pots and is easily cleaned 

 by opening a valve at one end. 



Stall Divisions. Stall divisions are for the purpose of prevent- 

 ing cows from lying across the stalls. They are made of brick, 

 l>rick faced with cement, cement concrete, cast-iron or tubular iron. 

 The partitions should not be too large, 4 feet 3 inches long and 

 4 feet 3 inches high are suitable dimensions, or they may fall away 

 to 3 feet 6 inches at the rear. If partitions are too long and too 

 high, cows have difficulty in entering and leaving the stalls. Simple 

 tubular iron divisions are quite satisfactory if they are carried 

 far enough back to keep the cows in their proper places. If solid 

 partitions are used they should be of cement concrete finished with 

 a smooth, hard surface so that they can be easily cleaned. Cast- 

 iron is also suitable. Wood should not be used if it can be avoided. 



Lighting and Ventilation. Not less than 3 square feet of glass 

 must be allowed per cow, and the lighting should be so arranged 

 as to light up the hindquarters of the animals. Findlay's over- 

 head system is undoubtedly the best (see Ventilation), and this 

 may be supplemented, if necessary, by wall windows. Ventilation 

 has been discussed in a former section. The most efficient method 

 is that where there is an open ridge. The inlets should be simple, 

 and an ordinary fireclay pipe let in the wall just above the food- 

 trough gives excellent results (see Ventilation). 



The Walls must be finished with a smooth, hard surface or be 

 faced with glazed tiles or bricks to a height of 7 feet; above this 

 they should be smooth finished to prevent lodgment of dirt and 

 dust. All corners and angles in the byre must be filled in with a 

 fillet of cement. There must be an ample water supply in the byre 

 for cleansing purposes. The Flooring must be impervious, hard 

 and free from pits and inequalities; cement concrete is the most 

 suitable material. 



The Doorzvays must not be less than 5 feet wide and 7 feet high. 

 There should be one at each end of the byre. They may be of the 

 sliding type, running on rollers and placed outside the byre or made 

 like loose-box doors in two parts so that in close weather the upper 

 part may be left open. 



Food and Manure Carriers. In large byres a great saving of 

 labour is gained by using carriers for the soiled litter and dung 

 and the food. These may run on tracks or on overhead wires, 

 one set going direct to the dung pit and the other to the food 

 preparation house. 



Securing Cows. For reasons already given cows have to be 

 confined to a definite and circumscribed area. It is therefore neces- 



