STABLES FOR COWS 299 



are turned loose except at milking time. The roughness is 

 usually fed in racks to be consumed at will, while the grain is 

 fed when the cows are taken to the milking stable at milking 

 time. The milking stable need not be elaborate, but sanitary. 

 The cows are tied while they eat their grain and are milked. 

 This system gives the cows a maximum amount of freedom, 

 but requires an abundance of straw for bedding, and is more 

 expensive if a new and sanitary plant is built. At times an 

 old barn may be utilized in this manner economically. 



Location of the Barn. The barn should be located where 

 there is good drainage, making it possible to keep the yards 

 in good condition. Convenience in location as well as in 

 planning should receive careful consideration, since the ex- 

 pense for labor depends to no small degree upon proper 

 location and internal arrangements. 



A rectangular barn should stand preferably north and south, 

 making it possible to get sunlight on both sides at some time 

 during the day. 



Lighting. One of the most serious defects in most barns, 

 especially the older ones, is a lack of sufficient light. Win- 

 dows cost but little, if any, more than other wall space, and 

 cannot be objected to on this account. Plenty of light is 

 one of the most essential things about a good barn. It is 

 necessary to keep the animals in a healthful condition, and is 

 of the greatest importance in a sanitary way. Not only does 

 sunlight destroy germs, but by having plenty of light uncleanly 

 conditions are easily seen and corrected. A dark barn is 

 almost always a dirty barn. There should be at least 4 

 square feet of glass to each animal. The bottom of the 

 windows should be 4 or 4^ feet from the floor. If lower, the 

 animals are liable to break the glass. The window should 



