DAIRY BUILDINGS. 97 



tons of ensilage having the full feeding value of one 

 ton of the best hay, and a crop of from twenty to thirty 

 tons of fodder corn per acre being an every-season's occur- 

 rence, the vital question now coming up to be decided is: 

 ' Why should we continue to feed expensive hay to our 

 cattle and sheep, when we can, under average conditions, 

 supply of '' roughage " ample in amount to an animal for 

 three cents per day?' And if we add four or five cents 

 more for bran, to make a perfectly balanced ration, we 

 have a food for our stock that in cheapness equals sum- 

 mer pasturage." 



This may be supposed to be somewhat enthusiastic 

 and overdrawn, but the fact that the practice is rapid- 

 ly spreading among practical dairymen who run their 

 dairies for their daily bread, and has never been aban- 

 doned by any who have tried it, gives good evidence, and 

 the best of all proof, that it is both useful and economical. 



CHAPTEE IX. 



DAIRY BUILDINGS. 



The buildings for a dairy farm must be arranged skill- 

 fully for ease, convenience, and the best effective results 

 in the business. The barn for the storage of grain and 

 fodder for winter feeding is not necessary for a dairy, 

 the accommodation of the cov/s being of the most impor- 

 tance, and the grain to be stored being usually of minor 

 consideration. The points to be considered are the 

 comfort of the cows, the easy maintenance of perfect 

 cleanliness, the convenient handling and distribution of 

 th9 food, economy of room, and facility for ingress and 

 egress to every part of the buildings. My cow stable, 

 built after several years' experience and with a view to 



