152 FABM BUILDINGS IN SOUTH AFRICA 



All windows should be capable of being opened over their whole 

 area. They should preferably be of the " drop-back " type, i.e. hinged 

 along their lower edges in such a way as to open inwards ; they will 

 then, when open, tend to deflect the entering air upwards. 



Closely connected with the subject of ventilation, is that of the 

 cubic air-space to be allowed. 



According to the size of the breed, cows should be allowed from 

 500 to 700 cubic feet per head, but good ventilation and good air 

 circulation throughout the building are probably of greater importance 

 than cubic air-space. 



3. Lighting. — Sunlight is an excellent germicide, and should therefore 

 be freely admitted, 2 or 3 square feet of lighting area being allowed as a 

 minimum to each animal. 



As mentioned under " ventilation " the windows should be made to 

 open over their whole area in order to supplement the ventilation, 

 especially in hot weather. 



If the animals are stalled with their heads to the wall, the bottoms 

 of the windows should be from 5 to 6 feet above the floor ; if, however, 

 a passage intervenes between the cows' heads and the wall, the windows 

 may be a little lower. 



4. Comfort and Health of Cows. — Throughout the design, the comfort 

 and health of the cows should be kept well in view. The more comfort- 

 able a cow is kept, the better results will she give at the pail. 



Very often, double cow-byres are arranged so that the animals stand 

 facing each other on each side of a feeding passage, cleaning passages 

 being provided down each side of the byre. 



This arrangement possesses the advantage of convenience in feeding 

 the cows with the minimum of trouble, but, on the other hand, certain 

 objections can be urged against it. 



Thus the foul air from the lungs of the animals is concentrated at 

 the middle of the byre, and one infected animal may quickly and easily 

 infect its neighbours. 



Other objections are that the animals' heads are too far removed 

 from the fresh-air inlets, and that there are two passages for the 

 removal of manure to be kept clean, whereas there is only one when the 

 animals in each row stand facing away from each other. 



5. Economy of Labour. — In these days when labour is scarce and 

 generally unsatisfactory, it is more than ever important that the work 



