700 



SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



venient, 



still further reduced by introducing a thin layer of asphalt or other 

 non-conducting material an inch beneath the surface of that portion of 

 the floor on which the cows lie. 



A four-inch thickness of concrete is sufficient. The usual proportion 

 of materials are 1 part of cement, 2^ parts of sand and 5 parts of crushed 

 stone by measure. Screened gravel may be substituted for the stone, or 

 good bank gravel may be used unscreened. Screening is to be preferred, 

 unless the proportion of fine material and gravel is about 1 to 2. A bag of 

 cement is equal to 1 cubic foot. The concrete should be laid in sections, 

 similar to the manner of constructing walks. This provides for seams at 

 reasonable intervals and allows for shrinkage without cracking the cement. 

 Lighting. — Plenty of light is essential in all portions of a stable where 

 animals are kept or work is performed. Its absence is not only incon- 

 but allows the unobserved accumulation of dust and bacteria. 

 Not only should there be good light, but 

 direct sunshine should also be admitted as 

 much as possible on account of its sanitary 

 effect. The size and location of the win- 

 dows should permit an abundance of both 

 light and sunshine and provide as great a 

 distribution of the latter as possible. North 

 and south windows are not as effective in 

 this respect as those on the east and west. 

 Windows in cow stables should be screened 

 against flies. 



Ventilation. — Fresh air is as essential 

 to the health of cows as it is to man. It 

 is necessary to have much better ventilation 

 in cow stables than in dwellings, because 

 ["of the number of animals within a given 

 space and the rapidity with which the air becomes charged with carbon 

 dioxide and moisture from the lungs of the cows. Not only is ventilation 

 necessary for this reason, but it also sets up currents of air that convey 

 dust and bacteria from the barn. 



The King system of ventilation is the one generally used in barns. 

 It is described in Chapter 60. 



Professor King, in his book on Ventilation says, "A cow requires six 

 full pails of pure air each minute of the day and consumes twice the weight 

 of air that she does of food and water combined." This gives a basis 

 for calculating the volume of air required daily by each cow, and is used 

 in determining the number and size of ventilating flues necessary. 



Conveniences. — The tendency of the times is toward the saving of 

 labor. This should be seriously considered in connection with the arrange- 

 ment of the stable and the conveniences that should be therein. Canvas 

 extensions to both hay chutes and ventilators are convenient. The former 



Cross-section, Showing Venti- 

 lation and Stable Floor of 



Concrete. 



