The Cow Barn 



farmers. Many, even with a cement floor to 

 the stalls, believe it to be unnecessary. 



When the stalls have a wooden floor, or 

 a wooden platform is placed upon a cement 

 floor, less bedding is required, and this is an 

 advantage, for bedding means dust in close 

 proximity to the udder and teats and conse- 

 quently greater exposure for the milk. 



The farmer should see that not too much 

 bedding is laid, and that it is clean and free 

 as possible from dust. Bedding a cow up to 

 the belly is an unwise practise, for it 

 increases the difficulty of producing pure 

 milk. 



The best bedding is planed shavings, and 

 the worst is hay. Hay not only carries much 

 dust, but is also the source of special spore- 

 bearing organisms whose presence in milk 

 are to be guarded against. Other material 

 may be used, such as sawdust, dried leaves, 

 and straw, which are good absorbents and 

 reasonably free from dust. When straw is 

 used it must be cut up small, so that it will 

 not reach up to the body of the cow. 



63 



