164 FARM BUILDINGS IN SOUTH AFRICA 



allow the cow a certain amount of freedom. The stanchions are detailed 

 in Fig. 142. 



The left-hand stanchion is fixed, but that on the right can be swung 

 back so as to admit the cow's head. The top of the swinging stanchion 

 is cut to an inclined plane, so that when it is moved back into position 

 to clasp the cow's neck the stirrup latch C is forced upwards. When 

 the stanchion reaches the vertical position, the spring S forces the latch 

 C downwards into position, thus fixing the swinging stanchion. To 

 release the cow, the latch C must be lifted up by hand. The above 

 stanchion was designed by the author, with a view to its being readily 

 made by a local tradesman. 



Fig. 129 shows another design of byre in which the stall fittings and 

 neck stanchions are entirely of iron. These fittings are largely manufac- 

 tured in Great Britain and America and cost, here, about £1 10s. per stall. 



Fig. 144 details a type of stanchion made in Natal hardwood by 

 Messrs. the City Timber Mills, Ltd., Pietermaritzburg, Natal, and sold 

 by them at a very reasonable cost. The swinging stanchion is on the 

 left. It is shown in the vertical or " closed " position. To open it the 

 small hardwood lever at the top is raised, by means of the f -inch diameter 

 iron handle shown, when the stanchion swings back into the " open " 

 position by its own weight. The stanchions are pivoted at top and 

 bottom, on |-inch diameter pivots, so that they can rotate freely when 

 the cow turns her head. 



The stanchions shown in Fig. 145, since they do not pivot, are suitable 

 only for holding cows for a short space of time, e.g., while they are being 

 milked. 



If the number of double stalls in the length of a byre exceeds 10 

 (or 20 single stalls) the provision of doors in the side walls, in addition 

 to the usual doors in the end walls, will be found to add greatly to 

 cleanliness and ease of working. 



Doors through which cows have to pass should not be less than 

 4 feet wide in the clear, and may be made 7 feet high. 



Manure Channels. — Manure channels should not be less than 18 inches 

 wide, though, if the expense of building the byre wider be no object, 

 they may with advantage be made 24 inches wide. The advantage of 

 a wide gutter lies in the lessened likelihood of its being blocked by 

 solid excreta, forming pools of urine into which the animals' tails are 

 apt to hang every time they lie down. 



