CONDITION OF COWSHEDS 521 



In the United States of America and in Denmark, great 

 advance has already been made in respect to the management of 

 milk farms. In Denmark it is the rule rather than the exception 

 to find systematic control of such farms. Such control exists in 

 England of course, but it is the exception rather than the rule. 

 Whereas in Denmark most of the Local Authorities have framed 

 regulations under the law of 28th March 1868, forbidding, for 

 example, the accumulation of dung in the vicinity of farm wells. 

 Local regulations again provide for the protection of private or 

 public pumps against damage, and all drainage from the dung 

 heap and stables must be prevented from reaching the water supply. 



" Each animal shall be allowed at least as many cubic feet of air space, as 

 the number of pounds of its live weight. 



"The ventilation shall be so efficient that one will not notice a stale, dis- 

 agreeable, or strong animal odour on entering the building. 



" The stalls shall be comfortable, at least 3 feet wide, or 3J feet for a large 

 cow, and so long that the animal need not habitually stand with feet in the 

 gutter. 



" The stable-yard shall be well drained so as to be usually dry, and no f>ools 

 allowed to form. 



" A suitable place, at least 200 feet distant from the stable building, shall be 

 provided for cows not approved by the veterinarian, and those separated from 

 the herd for any cause except calving. 



" A special room, conveniently located, shall be provided for the milkers to 

 wash in before and during milking. 



" The stable to be kept scrupulously clean. 



" The interior walls shall be kept clean and light coloured. If whitewash is 

 used, a fresh coat shall be applied at least three times a year, and oftener if 

 necessar}-, to keep the walls clean and white. Mould spots shall not be 

 permitted. 



" The accumulation of dirt, cobwebs, rubbish, and materials not needed for 

 stable work shall not be permitted. 



"At least half an hour before milking time, stables shall be thoroughly 

 cleaned and ventilated, and manure removed from the building. 



"The stable floors shall be sprinkled when necessary, to keep down the 

 dust. 



" When cows are kept in the stable continuously (as in stormy weather), it 

 shall be cleaned often enough to be kept as free as possible from manurial odours. 

 If necessary, land plaster shall be used for absorbing liquids and odours. 



"At least once every two months, the mangers shall be scrubbed with a 

 brush and water and soap, lye, or washing powder. 



"Animals of other species shall not be kept in the same room with milch 

 cows. 



" No strong smelling material shall be allowed in or near the stable. If 

 manure is on the premises, it shall be at least 100 feet distant from the stable." 



(R. A. Pearson, Assistant Chief of Dairy Division, Bureau of Animal 

 Industry, Washington. — Seventeenth Report^ 1900, p. 158 et seq.) 



