304 DAIRY CATTLE AND MILK PRODUCTION 



Cement Floors. Cement or concrete floors have more 

 of the requirements for a good floor than any other material 

 in general use. This material is impervious to moisture, 

 very durable, and the most sanitary and easily cleaned of 

 all. The first cost is but little more than wood in most 

 localities, and its lasting properties make it much cheaper, 

 considering a term of years. The one serious objection to 

 cement is in regard to the comfort -of the animal. A cement 

 floor is cold, that is to say, it is a good conductor of heat, and 

 for this reason seems cold. It is believed by many of the 

 most experienced dairymen that udder troubles are brought 

 on from cows lying on cement floors. This difficulty may be 

 lessened by having the floor 6 to 9 l inches higher than 

 the surface of the ground on the outside to prevent water 

 flowing under the cement. The floor should be thoroughly 

 insulated with a layer of cinders 6 to 9^ inches deep under 

 the cement. Such arrangement, together with a liberal use 

 of bedding, will obviate most of the danger from the coldness 

 of the cement. Another arrangement which has much to 

 recommend it is placing a wooden platform over the cement 

 where the cows stand. This platform may be made of planks 

 imbedded in coal tar, or in the form of a loose frame that may 

 be removed for cleaning. 



Another serious objection to cement is the slipping of the 

 animals as they come through the passageways. A cement 

 floor should never be trowled to a smooth finish, but left with 

 the surface rough as finished with a board. In some barns 

 sand is sprinkled on the floor daily to prevent the animals 

 from slipping. Another trouble that often occurs is injury 

 to the knees of the cows. In reaching in the manger for food 



1 Erf., 15th Annual Report Ohio State Dairy Association, 1909. 



