- 543 ~ 



Consequently the principles for cowshed constructing would be 

 the following ones: 



1. As regards the site, this should be chosen, where ever pos- 

 sible, so that drainage and surface water should flow away from 

 the building and not into it. 



2. The interior of the building should have a good, even 

 surface, so as to avoids cracks and crevices wherein disease germs 

 and others matters might lodge. 



It is preferable to have the roof open at the ridge. 



However opinions differ as to the best floor, one of cement 

 concrete, if carefully laid, is one of the best floors ; it should not 

 be too low in comparison with the outside surface, and there should 

 be no covered drains if they could be avoided. 



3. Several methods have been adopted for the arrangement of 

 the cattle, but the best is to have them in one line along the buil- 

 ding, wiih a feeding passage in front and a milking passage behind. 



4. An important matter is the size and arrangement of the 

 stalls, with from 40 to 50 square feet of floor space per animal; 

 as to air space 600 to 800 cubic feet are allowed, and with re- 

 gard to the admission of fresh air about 40 square inches per 

 cow is retained a good allowance. 



JOHN SPEIR. Milk 'Records. -- Trans, of the Highl. and Agricul- 

 tural Society of Scotland, Vol. XXI. 5th series, 1909, pp. 175-196. 



This work which had been carried on by the Society from 

 1903 to 1907 was at the end of 1907 transferred to the Ayrshire 

 Cattle Milk Records Committee, which has supplied the materials 

 for this report. 



There has been an enormous increase in the number of cows 

 tested during the past season. The number of Milk-record So- 

 cieties increased from 7 (in 1907) to 13 (in 1908) and the number 

 of cows tested from 3931 to 8132. 



New societies as a rule begin too late and often lose a part of 

 the value of the first year's work. The tendency is now to begin 

 earlier, so as to obtain as many full lactations as possible. 



Inferior and medium milking cows give a full lactation in a 

 limited period of testing, while the best cows require a much 

 longer period, and even in a cheese-making district these cannot 

 be fully tested in much under n months. 



The author reports upon the work done by these societies, 

 among which the following are here noticed: 



