182 SOME FEATURES OF THE DAIRY FARM 



it is very often true economy to make the stable wide enough 

 to permit a wagon or even a three-horse manure spreader to be 

 driven through the barn from end to end, in order that the 

 manure may be removed with the least possible amount of labor 

 and drawn directly to the fields (Kg. 63). 



Arranged so, the cows have a wide door through which to 

 enter the stable, thus lessening the danger of accidents due to 

 crowding. It also gives the cows more room to enter and leave 

 their stalls in comfort and safety. 



In sale stables too it is desirable to have all the animals in 

 sight from one point. They show up to better advantage. All 

 things considered, there are many who prefer the out-facing 

 system. Each plan has its own advantages, and both plans 

 will continue to be followed by good dairymen. 



Ventilation of the Stable.- — In a sense, air or the oxygen 

 contained in it, is a food, since the carbon contained in the feed 

 eaten cannot undergo oxidation and liberate heat and energy 

 without it. Fu.rthermore, body tissues are constantly wearing 

 out and, in the form of carbon dioxide, are being thrown off 

 largely in the exhaled air. Much moisture and some organic 

 particles also escape from the body in the warm breath and in 

 addition to these exhaled impurities, various gases, such as 

 ammonia and marsh gas, are passed which aid in defiling the 

 air. Molds and bacteria grow abundantly in straw and hay in 

 an atmosphere so moist and full of organic matter. 



Diseases of all sorts are more liable to be spread and con- 

 tracted, and to be intense in their action in a badly ventilated 

 stable. Even if specific diseases are not present, however, a bad 

 atmosphere is undesirable because it is depressing in every 

 respect on both the stock and the laborers who must spend a 

 portion of their time in it. 



The amount of air breathed by an average cow is given by 

 King 1 as about 2800 cubic feet in 24 hours or about 224 pounds, 

 — about twice the weight of feed and water required. This is 

 not to say that all oxygen in such a volume of air was used. 



It is generally calculated that the stable should be sufficientlv 



^ King, F. H. Pliysics of Agriculture, Second Edition, p. 354. 



