120 MISCELLANEOUS FARM SUBJECTS 



the manure. Such a floor makes an excellent temporary arrange- 

 ment, and cement can be purchased and laid as time and funds will 

 permit. 



When hay, etc., is to be stored above the stock, as is very fre- 

 quently the case, a tight second floor of matched lumber should be 

 provided to prevent seeds and chaff from sifting down, and in any 

 event such a floor will go a long way toward conserving warmth in 

 the stable. 



Some of the criticisms made against concrete floors are not 

 well founded. Sometimes it is claimed they are too slippery and as 

 a result animals fall and receive serious injury. It is true that this 

 frequently happens, but it is due to improper construction ; a floor 

 given a smooth finish with a trowel is positively dangerous; it 

 should be left to harden with a rough finish, such as that produced 

 by the vigorous use of a steel broom. Alleys over which animals 

 pass are rendered additionally dangerous by giving them more slope 

 toward the gutters than is necessary. Strong claims have been 

 made to the effect that concrete does not make a good stall bottom, 

 producing rheumatism and other ills among dairy cows; this may 

 be true if too little bedding is used 'and the animal is forced to lie 

 on the concrete. Wooden floors are unsanitary besides being ob- 

 jectionable in other respects. They cannot be so readily cleaned, 

 and cleanliness is an important factor in the care of stock. 



Conveniences. The tendency of the age is toward a conserva- 

 tion of time and labor in all farm work. This consideration should 

 enter largely into the construction of the modern barn. The feed 

 bins and chutes should be located so as to save as much time as pos- 

 sible in cutting up and in distributing the feed to the stock. Much 

 wastage of grain may be avoided through this means. Chutes for 

 hay and for straw for bedding should be located conveniently to 

 the mangers and stalls. The hay chutes should be so planned that 

 hay can be gotten from the mow to the first floor and into the man- 

 gers without filling the air with dust, and without littering the floor 

 of the feed alley with dirt, leaves, etc. Canvas chutes for convey- 

 ing bedding from the mow to the first floor will be found conveni- 

 ent. They can be folded and hung back out of the way when not 

 in use. 



Cupboards for harness should be provided, convenient to the 

 stalls. Such cupboards will prove economical through preserving 

 the harness and in saving time. 



Where possible water should be delivered directly to the barn 

 both for the use of stock and washing vehicles, as well as for flush- 

 ing the floors. The floors should be so laid as to be readily flushed, 

 and drainage provided for carrying off the water. The barn lot 

 should be kept as dry as possible. 



Manure conservation is another important feature of the 

 modern barn. When it can be done it is best to have the manure 

 hauled directly from the barn to the ground and there distributed 

 so that nothing may be lost by leaching. When this cannot be 



