CHOICE AND TREATMENT OF THE" COW. 43 



rising in her lair by the continual addition of the hard 

 trod straw and excrement. The trough in this case 

 must be capable of being raised as the floor of the box 

 rises, and if it be hung on two pins at each end between 

 two uprights bored every three inches or so to receive these 

 pins, this raising can be easily effected ; and there will be 

 this additional advantage, that by withdrawing the upper 

 pin at either end after the food has been consumed, the 

 trough will turn over bottom upwards, so as to hinder the 

 cow from dirtying it. If the cow be confined permanently 

 in this way, water must be " laid on " to troughs to which 

 the cows have access. Much the most common cow-house, 

 however, is that in which a double row of cows is tied in 

 couples to a long manger at either side, leaving a wide 

 interval in the centre enabling the easy removal of the 

 dung and the easy bringing in of litter. A sufficiency of 

 this for warmth and cleanliness must be provided ; 10 to 

 15 Ibs. a day apiece will be needed in the boxes : rather 

 less will suffice for stalls. Except in box-feeding, the dung 

 should be removed at least every morning and evening, and 

 fresh litter supplied at night. It is an additional security 

 for cleanliness, and a comfort and advantage to the animals, 

 if they are occasionally curry-combed. The cows stand in 

 couples between posts 6J feet apart, and the lair, wide 

 enough to give ample standing room when the cow is feeding 

 at the manger, should have a wide gutter along its 

 further edge to receive the dung and urine. In all cases 

 ample space and sufficient ventilation should be provided, and 

 at all times, of course, kind and gentle treatment must 

 be insisted on. An animal so sensitive as a cow, whose 

 produce is dependent so much upon its health and even 

 temper, abundantly rewards quietness, and punctuality, and 



