150 



The mangers are simple V shaped depressions in the 

 floor. Twice a day a valve is turned and a stream of 

 water flows through the entire length of the manger and is 

 finally conducted into an outside drain. By this plan one 

 man can water all the cattle in the barn, 125 head, witliin 

 15 minutes. The floor upon which the cows stand is per- 

 fectly flat. The hind feet of the animals when standing, 

 rest upon the Stewart self-cleaning stable grate. These 

 grates cover a tight trench made of plank, •> ft. wide and 

 2 ft. deep, sufficiently large to hold the dropping, for from 

 10 to 14 days. All the solid and liquid manure falls 

 through the grating. At least once a day dry loam, always 

 kept on hand, is sifted upon the contents of the trench to 

 absorb liquids and obviate foul odors. Ground plaster is 

 also used in the same way. No straw is used for litter, so 

 the grates never clog. This system keeps all the fertilizing 

 properties of the manure under perfect control, and there 

 need be no loss whatever. It insures perfect cleanliness of 

 the animals and the purity of the milk. 



When the trenches are filled, a trap in the bottom at a 

 central point is raised and the contents, on being pushed 

 to the opening, fall into a cart set below, to be taken directly 

 into the field. 



349 cords of this full-strength manure were removed 

 from the trench during the year. 



It was found best to allow the excess of urine to drain 

 into pans and a lead lined tank on wheels set in the base- 

 ment, rather than attempt to absorb it all by the use of 

 loam. The tank holds about 500 gallons and as this is 

 filled only once in ten or twelve days by the 70 cows, it is 

 certain that the larger part of the urine is absorbed by the 

 earth and other solid, or semi-solid, contents of the 

 trenches. 



When tlie liquid tank is full, it is drawn out and dis- 

 charged through a sprinkler upon grass land. The grass 

 thus stimulated makes a surprisingly vigorous growth and 



