388 FARMING FOR LADIES. [chap. xx. 



three cows, and should be either erected in 

 a snug corner partly surrounded by other 

 buildings, or, if in a paddock, closed on three 

 sides ; very low, and roofed with thatch ; a 

 rack for hay, and manger for roots or mashes, 

 being placed in the further end, and a trough 

 in the court for water. 



In the construction of a cow-house, the chief 

 points are, that it should be dry ; for, al- - 

 though a certain degree of warmth is desir- ■ 

 able, yet cows, if kept dry, are not very sus- ■ 

 ceptible of cold, and fresh air should never 

 be excluded. If the house be closed, the 

 roof should, therefore, in that case, be lofty ; 

 but whether stalls or sheds be adopted, we 

 ever uphold the roofing with thatch, as being 

 far more comfortable to the cattle than either 

 slates or tiles. Lattices of wood, in the form 

 of Venetian blinds, to admit or exclude the 

 wind, should also be fixed in the sides next 

 the heads, or in front of the cows, but their 

 hinder parts should be screened as much as 

 possible from the wind. 



Cows are very generally placed two toge- 

 ther in double stalls, about nine feet in 

 width, or a foot, or more, less, if the breed 



