CARE OF FARM ANIMALS 315 



to close up the pores, which to a certain extent affects the 

 disposition and health of the animal. As a matter of per- 

 sonal pride the high-class owner of stock desires to have 

 his animals look clean. If he is a good horseman, he knows 

 that a well-groomed horse looks and feels better than one 

 that is not clean. One of the most unpleasant sights to be 

 seen in winter and spring in many barns is the cattle with 

 thighs and flanks covered with a hard coat of manure, that 

 does not disappear until the hair is shed. This of course 

 means that no grooming is done or little effort made to keep 

 the stock clean. It is surprising what excellent results will 

 come from the use of a brush and curry comb for a very short 

 time, even a minute a day per head. Grooming is not always 

 practicable; neither is it necessary, as for example, in the 

 West in the open feed lot, where cattle that have never been 

 even halter broken are cared for in large numbers by a few 

 men. 



The sanitation of the stable, or the health conditions 

 about live stock, are receiving much attention these days. 

 Men can no longer sell milk in most towns and cities unless it 

 comes from stables that are approved as sanitary by milk 

 inspectors, representing the consumers' interests. This 

 means that the stables must be properly furnished with fresh 

 air and that the buildings and yards must be kept clean and 

 free from filth. Where the stable is sanitary, it is provided 

 with a reasonable amount- of light and pure air, and the walls 

 are whitewashed or are kept clean and attractive by some 

 other good method. One of the best methods for making 

 the stable interior sweet and clean at least expense is to spray 

 whitewash on the ceilings and walls once or twice each 

 season. In stables producing what is called certified milk, 

 the floors are daily washed clean. In all cases, the manure 

 should be removed from the stable every day. The next 



