134 THE COW 



ness, would effectually dispose of any possibility 

 of profit. 



As for the cow herself, her esthetic sense is en- 

 tirely undeveloped. Some few fundamental condi- 

 tions she enjoys and her welfare demands that as 

 far as possible these should be supplied. Her 

 stable should be well lighted, well ventilated, 

 reasonably warm and the stall should be bedded 

 and so arranged that she may stand or lie with 

 comfort. But she cannot appreciate the sanitary 

 gleam of white tile nor the elegance of nickeled 

 stall fittings. Concrete floors and foundation, and 

 hemlock construction above suit her perfectly. 



If a man is making plenty of money in some 

 other business and spending it on a farm, there is 

 nothing to forbid him erecting a barn ornate 

 enough to gratify his heart's desire. There are 

 also some breeders handling valuable herds who 

 have many visitors and purchasers and beautiful 

 and expensive stables may have an advertising 

 value that justifies the cost. However, dairying as 

 a whole is a severely utilitarian business where 

 the margin of profit is small. The bam and stables 

 at best are large and important items of capital 

 expenditure and the business demands as low cost 

 as is consistent with convenience and the comfort 

 and hygienic welfare of the occupants. It should 

 be noted that the convenience of the bam and the 

 welfare of the cattle do not necessarily go together. 

 There are barns in which it is easy to feed and care 



