22 FARMERS' BULLETIN 909. 



cement vat and one of a water trap with the wooden vat. The 

 settling well may be used with the wooden vat, in which case the 

 water trap would be unnecessary, as the settling well serves the same 

 purpose. 



In constructing the draining pens of cement it is advisable to build 

 the outer walls in the same manner as the foundations for a house, 

 except that they are to be 8 inches thick. The space inside the walls 

 is then filled with gravel to the required height and the sloping- 

 floors laid on the tamped gravel. To prevent slipping the cement 

 floors should be roughened with a stiff broom while the concrete is 

 soft, or a coat of pebble dash may be applied. 



If wooden floors are used they should be double with a layer of 

 tar paper between the two floors. Rough lumber may be used for 

 the lower floor, but the top one should be of matched boards 1 inch 

 thick. Cleats should be nailed on the floor to prevent the cattle from 

 slipping. 



VATS. 



The dipping vat may be constructed either of cement or of lum- 

 ber the cement vat being preferable, as when properly made it is 

 more durable and in many other ways more satisfactory than a 

 wooden vat. The sides may be perpendicular, as shown in the plans 

 for a cement vat (fig. 11), or sloping, as shown in those for a wooden 

 vat (fig. 10). Sloping sides are generally considered more desir- 

 able than perpendicular ones for either cement or wooden vats. 

 Both styles, however, are shown in the drawings, because some stock- 

 men prefer vats with perpendicular sides. The dimensions shown 

 in the cross section of the wooden vat may be followed in construct- 

 ing a cement vat with sloping sides. 



The length of the vat may vary from 24 to 100 feet, depending on 

 the number of cattle to be dipped. The top may extend 9 to 18 

 inches above the surface of the ground or may be flush with it. A 

 vat of the former kind affords better conditions for handling the 

 cattle than one of the latter kind. If it is desired that the top be 

 flush with the ground, the vat should be built so it extends 5 inches 

 above the natural surface of the ground, which is then graded up 

 with gravel or cinders and a dry path along each side of the vat 

 thus provided. 



The slide board should be made of or covered with a smooth-sur- 

 faced material, such as planed lumber or sheet metal. A piece of 

 boiler plate makes an excellent slide board. The dimensions of the 

 slide board shown in connection with the cement vat are those 

 commonly used. A short, steep slide board causes the animals to 

 plunge abruptly into the dip, while a long gradual slope allows them 

 to slide in more gently. The short, steep slope has the advantage 



