308 CATTLE-BREEDING. 



Warmth is not inconsistent with pure air, 

 though many seem to think that a building must 

 needs be close and stuffy in order to be warm. 

 It does, no doubt, require more attention and 

 forethought to secure both, but the result more 

 than repays the additional outlay. If the stock 

 are to be housed in a basement, mainly or 

 entirely under ground, in most cases the air is 

 sure to be bad and the conditions for thrifty 

 growth unfavorable. On the other hand, fresh 

 air need not mean draughts. A warm room with 

 a sharp cold draught blowing across it is a per- 

 fect death trap to man and beast, and the 

 animals will be far healthier if allowed to run 

 in the cold than if subjected to such conditions. 

 But neither extreme is at all necessary, and 

 almost any form of barn can be so constructed 

 as to avoid these dangerous features. 



The first class of considerations in regard to 

 shelter, then, embrace: first, care lest too great 

 an amount of shelter be given for the good 

 of the animal, particularly in the case of breed- 

 ing stock; secondly, the importance of shelter 

 to milch cows and cattle in process of feeding 

 for the market, and thirdly, the importance of 

 fresh air and thorough ventilation to the cattle. 

 These relate especially to the health or comfort 

 of the animals. A second class of considera- 

 tions present themselves based on the con- 

 venience of the farmer; but a passing notice 

 only can be given to them. 



