CHAPTER XIX 

 THE DAIRY BARN AND OTHER BUILDINGS 



More than anything else the dairy barn should be a place 

 where the cow will be comfortable and be able to do her best. 

 That production is greatest in the early summer on pasture is 

 partly due to the feed, but the ideal surroundings are also a 

 factor. There is an abundance of fresh air and sunlight and the 

 temperature is moderate. The animal is free to move and the 

 surroundings are clean and in every way comfortable. We should 

 reproduce these conditions in the barn as far as possible. Thus it 

 should be well lighted and ventilated, warm and clean. Space should 

 be provided so that the cows need not be stanchioned all the time. 



260. Convenience. — The dairy buildings must be constructed 

 with an eye to the convenience of the dairyman so that he can do 

 his work as easily and quickly as possible. This calls for the proper 

 location of each building with respect to the other and the proper 

 arrangement within the dairy barn. How these things may be 

 realized is best indicated by describing a specific plan for a dairy 

 barn and related buildings. Such a plan is shown. 



261. A suggested plan.— The plan on page 163 does not go 

 much into detail but serves to illustrate a type of layout which 

 provides for the cow's comfort at all times and saves many steps 

 for the dairyman. The plan is actually being worked out on an 

 eastern farm. It provides for a bank barn, with the bank on the 

 north side, but the bank does not extend more than one-half the 

 length, so that there will still be plenty of light in the basement 

 stable. A basement stable with light along one side only does not 

 allow sufficient window space, nor proper ventilation, unless a 

 special system is installed. Space for 20 cows in stanchions is 

 provided and there are several box stalls. There is also provision 

 for three horses. 



The barn is 100 feet long and 34 feet wide. This gives a working 

 space inside 98x32. It is better in planning a new barn to build 



162 



