310 DAIRY CATTLE AND MILK PRODUCTION 



be slightly fluted. The object in this is to prevent the cows 

 from slipping and falling on their knees when reaching for 

 feed. It also allows the cow to stand on the level, since the 

 platform slopes one inch from the rear of this depression to the 

 front edge of the gutter. The success of keeping the cow 

 clean depends largely upon having a platform of proper 

 length. The length to be used varies from 4 feet 6 inches to 

 5 feet, depending upon the size of the cows. The former is 

 the proper length for Jerseys, and the latter for cows of the 

 size of Holsteins. Some provision should be made to accom- 

 modate cows of different size, since they vary in any herd with 

 age. One plan often followed is to make the platform 4 

 inches longer at one end than at the other, with a gradual 

 slant between. The cows are then arranged according to 

 size. Another arrangement having much to recommend it 

 is an adjustable stanchion so made that it may be set back 

 3 or 4 inches from the support, or set ahead the same distance 

 for long cows. 



Ties. There are a great variety of ties in use. The 

 most objectionable way to tie a cow is to fasten her to a man- 

 ger where she must back up to lie down. This is bound to 

 result in filthy animals, since they are compelled to lie in 

 their droppings. The cow should be so fastened that she 

 lies down exactly where she stands, or a little forward if pos- 

 sible, and the platform should be the proper length so the 

 manure drops in the gutter. 



The most common ties in use are various forms of stan- 

 chions. There is no kind of tie that keeps the cows cleaner 

 than the rigid stanchion, provided the platform and gutter 

 are properly made. The rigid stanchion, however, is not 

 well suited for a tie, as the cow has no freedom of movement 



