DAIRY STABLES. 19 



most sanitary manger is one with no wood in connec- 

 tion with it, and no partitions to prevent easy cleaning. 

 The objection to a manger without divisions is that 

 it is more difficult to feed the cows according to their 

 milk-flow. 



For two rows of cows facing each other, the stable 

 should be from 28 to 40 feet wide. The latter width 

 gives plenty of room for feed and manure passages, 

 but adds to the labor of keeping the passages clean. 



A drop of about eight inches behind the cows tends 

 to keep them clean. The gutter should be about 

 eighteen inches wide, and the passage for taking out 

 the manure should be from four to six feet wide, and 

 two to four inches lower than the platform on which 

 the cows stand. The gutter should be made tight, 

 so that no liquids are wasted. Sufficient absorbents 

 should be used to take up all the liquid manure. 

 Land plaster and sawdust are both good absorbents, 

 and tend to sweeten the stable. Where power is avail- 

 able, it pays to cut the straw used for bedding. 



All stables should have at least one box-stall for 

 sick cows. Calves are best kept in a separate stable 

 if possible. 



The inside of the stable should be whitewashed at 

 least once a year. This may be done very rapidly 

 with an ordinary spray-pump. The stable should 

 be kept free from dust and cobwebs. A broom 

 should be convenient for that purpose. The stable 

 should be as clean as possible at all times. 



It is not a good plan to clean out the stable at, or 

 just before milking time, as the odors may taint the 

 milk. 



