DAIRY INSPECTION 141 



laid on concrete are also used for platforms and floors. 

 It is claimed for them that they combine the good prop- 

 erties of cement and wood and at the same time do not 

 have any of the undesirable properties of those sub- 

 stances. An earth floor is most objectionable. Unless 

 plenty of good absorbent litter is used it is very likely 

 to be wet and dirty; it finally becomes saturated with 

 urine and liquid manure, which decompose and liberate 

 foul-smelling gases. 



The rear 18 inches of the platform should slope 

 slightly toward the gutter, just sufficient to cause liquids 

 to flow in that direction. Too much slope is likely to 

 cause the cow to slip ; it also causes the cow to stand down 

 in the gutter and favors prolapse of the vagina and 

 similar troubles. It is desirable to have a depression in 

 the front of the platform % inch deep and extending 

 back about 18 inches from the anterior border. This will 

 prevent cows from falling on their knees when attempt- 

 ing to rise or when reaching for feed, and will also have 

 a tendency to keep the litter from being pushed toward 

 the rear of the stall (Fig. 11). 



The length of the platform is important ; if too long, 

 the fasces are dropped where the cow can lie upon them ; 

 if too short, the cow is uncomfortable and stands down 

 in the gutter. The proper length is 4% to 5% feet, 

 differing with the size of the cow. Frequently, where 

 a number of cows stand in a row, the platforms are made 

 4% feet long at one end with a gradual increase to 5% 

 feet at the other end of the row, thus supplying platforms 

 of different lengths on which the cows can be placed ac- 

 cording to size. The platform for each cow should be 

 3% to 4 feet wide, depending upon the size of the cow. 

 The width is quite as important as the length, because 



