300 DAIRY CATTLE AND MILK PRODUCTION 



extend nearly to the ceiling in order to allow the sunlight 

 to reach as much of the floor as possible. The windows 

 should be set flush with the inside wall to avoid making a 

 ledge for the accumulation of dust. In a one-story barn the 

 windows should be hinged. In a two-story barn, which gives 

 ample room above, the sash had better slide upward. This 

 arrangement is much more convenient than having one sash 

 slide past the other in the ordinary manner. 



FLOOR CONSTRUCTION 



One of the most important points to be considered in plan- 

 ning a barn is the material to be used for floors. Material 

 for a floor should have the following characteristics : 



1. Impervious to moisture. 



2. Sanitary and easily cleaned. 



3. Comfortable for the cows. 



4. First cost not too great. 



5. Durable. 



The floors in common use are as follows : 



Dirt with wood or cement gutters. 



Wood. 



Brick. 



Cement or granitoid. 



Dirt Floors. A floor of dirt in a dairy barn is only excus- 

 able under primitive conditions. This material provides 

 comfort for the animal, and is cheap in construction. The 

 objection is, of course, that it cannot be kept clean. The 

 most objectionable condition is where the cows stand on a 

 level dirt floor without any gutter. A fairly good floor for 

 ordinary purposes may be made by building a gutter of 



