1896.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 39 



Symmes' paper cap can be put on fully twice as rapidly as 

 the forms requiring fastening, it appears to be most useful. 

 Its weight is an objection, and of course we are not yet able 

 to report upon durability. 



Experiment in Warming a Stable for Cows. 



This experiment was continued during the winter of 1894- 

 95, beginning December 18 and continuing until March 8. 

 It will be remembered that our stable has two similar wings, 

 one piped for hot-water heating. We aimed to maintain a 

 temperature of about 55° F. in the warm stable. The other, 

 of course, varied with the weather ; but, as both stables are 

 thoroughly constructed, even the "cold" side was seldom 

 excessively cold. Six cows were used in the experiment, 

 three on each side. We divided the time into four periods 

 of equal length. At the close of the first period the cows 

 changed stables. Here they were kept for two periods, and 

 were then changed again. In this way we equalized condi- 

 tions for the two stables. Between periods, when a change 

 in the position of the cows was made, we allowed an interval 

 of one week, that the animals might become accustomed to 

 and under the influence of their new quarters before the rec- 

 ords were begun. 



The apparent influence of the warm stable upon milk and 

 butter fat production is small. On the average, there is 

 rather more milk and butter fat in the warm stable. The 

 most certain effect brought out by our experiments is the 

 lowering of the percentage of fat in the milk in the warm 

 stable. The increased product will not nearly pay the cost 

 of heating the stable. 



With moderate artificial heat better ventilation can be 

 secured, without making the .stable too cold for the com- 

 fort of its occupants, than is possible without artificial heat. 

 This should have an ultimate influence upon health; but the 

 tuberculin test, as well as physical examination, indicated 

 all our animals to be in perfect health at the close of the 

 experiments, hence we as yet have nothing conclusive upon 

 this point. 



