No. 144.] 355 



much carbonic acid. This is true of other auimals, as well as 

 mau. This may be clearly understood, by stating the fact that 

 not only do we do it by breathing, but the surface of the body of 

 an animal gives off these gases. When an animal is on the top 

 of a mountain, these gases can fall off readily, and new portions 

 of air approach the surface of its body, but when the surrounding 

 atmosphere is about the same weight, the animal suffers by the 

 proximity of these gases ; and therefore an ox enclosed in a var- 

 nished silken bag, with his head exposed, will die in twenty-four 

 hours. This experiment was tried long ago, and published many 

 times. Thus it is evident that the amount of air passing into the 

 Stable and out of it, should be equal to the amount required for 

 the respiration of that animal without repeating his former breath- 

 ings; and the admission of this air should be so regulated as not 

 to give draughts, but it should be diffused through many open- 

 ings, and passed off in the same way. It is for these reasons that 

 proper ventilation is necessary. 



The style of box feeding so highly recommended by some, I 

 believe to be deleterious, and I think it has been sustained by 

 experiment. So far as economy of manures, it is already settled 

 that larger results can be obtained by such practice, than by leav- 

 ing the manure under the animal, as in the box iieeding system. 

 It is true the compacting of the manure prevents a very rapid 

 decomposition and evolving of the deleterious gases, but still they 

 ai'e evolved, and it is necessary to let in a much larger amount of 

 air to ventilate a stable when box feeding is pursued. 



Now as to the construction of stables, much may be done to 

 retain the heat. Thus double boarding will give a confined space 

 of air, which is the best non-conductor of heat, hence the sheath- 

 ing on the inside, as well as the outside of the frame, produces a 

 warm stable. 



There are many substances that may be used in stables capable 

 of absorbing manures, that will absorb gases Among these may 

 be enumerated, charcoal dust, decomposed muck, plaster of paris. 

 Slight sprinkling of very dilute sulphuric acid on the ground 

 where a floor is not used, will change the ammonia to sulphate of 



