Managing the Dairy Herd 85 



are employed. In addition, a small amount of land 

 plaster or gypsum will be found valuable for deodor- 

 izing the stable. 



Gypsum can be used at the rate of about half a pound 

 per day for each animal, and is sprinkled in the stalls 

 and trenches. 



Lime in any other form than the sulphate is not suit- 

 able for use in stables. Instead of absorbing the odors, 

 quick lime and slacked lime decompose the refuse ma- 

 terials, producing more odors. Lime sulphate or land 

 plaster can usually be procured at about $5 a ton, and 

 is, in addition to the deodorizing properties, a valuable 

 fertilizer. When added to the manure, it increases its 

 value by preventing unnecessary fermentation and loss 

 of ammonia. 



A cow is nothing but a very peculiar factory into 

 which is taken the raw stuffs and from which she turns 

 a highly finished product. Everything she needs to 

 make the most output is an important cog in the wheel 

 and if omitted she fails to do perfect work. Don't 

 forget this. She must have every comfort. She must 

 not be exposed. 



The average cow quarters on the general farm are 

 too small and poorly lighted to be comfortable for 

 cows that are expected to make a profit. The idea 

 that anything will do to shelter cows during bad 

 weather is wrong. Neither will anything in the way 

 of night stabling do during the brisk nights of late 

 fall and early spring. While it is advantageous to 

 keep cows up during inclement weather and feed in 

 the stanchion or stall, it is not a good plan to pamper 

 them in weather when sunshine and air will do them 

 good. 



