32 X. 11. Agh. Experiment Station [Rullotin 260 



steads that were located on or near the State roads were equipped with 

 some facilities for using electricity. 



Many of the farms provided an adequate Avood supply to heat the 

 houses. Tliis fact may be lar^'ely resi)onsible for the use of kitchen 

 ranges and other small stoves for heating in 58 per cent of the cases. 

 Hot-air central heating systems were found in 37 per cent of the 

 houses. This type of furnace usually had a large fire box and was 

 adapted to burning wood. However, not all of tliese farmers burned 

 Avood exclusively. One hundred and thirteen families used some coal. 

 In nineteen homes, steam heating systems had been installed. 



Oil stoves for cooking were found in nearly three-fifths of the kitch- 

 ens. Over 60 per cent of the families had refrigerators, nearly two- 

 thirds were equipped with radios, while only 37 per cent had washing 

 machines. 



In Livingston County, New York, 21 per cent of the houses had run- 

 ning water, 18 per cent had bathrooms, 28 per cent had electric lights 

 and 47 per cent were provided with a furnace.* Quoting from the text: 



"This reo-ioii is generall.v more prosperous than the average of 

 the State. The farm houses are better and have more conveniences 

 than the average. However, in 1928, 79 per cent of the farm fami- 

 lies were still getting along without running water. Much improve- 

 ment along these lines is still needed, and can be expected just as 

 soon as the farmers become more prosperous." 



Barn Equipment 



Only 21 farm barns were provided with a wing for the cows. The 

 cow stable was located on the main floor in 258 cases and in the base- 

 ment in 156 cases. Wooden floors were noted in 355 stables, concrete 

 in 50, and both wood and concrete in 9. The most common arrange- 

 ment of cows was in one line along the side of the main barn and was 

 found on 331 farms. Two rows of cows were found in 78 cases. 



Swing stanchions had been installed in 262 stables. Straight fixed 

 stanchions were used in 95 cases and chain fasteners in 38 cases. The 

 remaining 19 farms used two or all three of these types. 



The cows were turned outdoors for water on 268 farms and turned 

 loose to drink from a trough in the barn on 57 farms. The herds that 

 went outside the barn for water usually drank from a trough in the 

 yard ; a few went to a nearby brook. Individual drinking cui)s were 

 provided in 75 barns. The herds of the remaining 14 farms were wa- 

 tered in various ways. One barn was equipped with a wood trough, 

 extending in front of the cows and above the feeding floor. A flush 

 trough of cement before the cows furnished the water facilities for 

 one or two herds. Some farmers even carried water in ])ails to individ- 

 ual animals in sizable herds. Some of these methods are very ineffi- 

 cient — they waste labor, the most costly and important factor in herd 

 management. 



Stables were cleaned through tiu' floor in 197 barns. Manure was 

 lifted and thrown out a window on 97 farms. Carriers were used in 78 

 stables and wheelbarrows in 26. Several used a combination of these 

 methods. 



