CARE OF FARM ANIMALS 319 



Shelter under good sheds, open to the south, with free- 

 dom from drafts, are the essential features of protection. 

 Dairy cows are more sensitive to cold, and need more pro- 

 tection; consequently, the comfortable, well-lighted and venti- 

 lated stable is all right for these animals. Young animals 

 should be given protection not only from severe cold, but 

 also from excessive heat. 



Ventilation of the stable is in these days receiving much 

 attention. Many barns built in recent years in all parts of 

 the country are constructed so as to have fresh air come in 

 at the windows or the ceiling, with the bad air drawn out 

 f by flues in the wall, open- 

 ings being near the floor. 

 The King system, advo- 

 cated by the late Professor 

 F. H. King, of Wisconsin, 

 has been extensively used. 

 The important idea is 

 to keep the stable air 



Fig. 166. An unsanitary, badly lighted barn. . . .. . _. 



Photograph by the author. as fresh as pOSSlble. If 



the stable is too close, 



carbonic acid gas, breathed out by the animals, accu- 

 mulates. Ordinary air contains from .02 to .06 per cent of 

 this gas. If more than this prevails, breathing is more rapid, 

 the heart beats more slowly, and diseases of the respiratory 

 organs are likely to develop. Under the winter conditions 

 of the North, a stable temperature of 40 to 45 degrees in 

 freezing weather is preferable to one that is above that. 



The stalls for the live stock naturally vary according 

 to the size and kind of animal. Dr. Mayo recommends * 

 stalls for horses to be 5J^ to 6 feet wide, and 9J^ feet long; 



*The Care of Animals, 1903, pp. 18-19. 



