DAIRY INSPECTION 143 
if the stall is too wide and the cow stands diagonally 
the result will be the same as if the platform was too 
long. The stall should be constructed with the view of 
preventing the dropping of manure where the cow can 
lie down upon it, in so far as this is possible, and thus 
save labor in keeping the cow clean. Other points to 
be considered are the comfort of the cow, convenience of 
cleaning the stall, milking, and feeding, and the cost. 
The feed trough or manger may be built of wood or 
cement. ‘Cement is better because it is easier to keep 
clean. A continuous cement trough, extending in front 
of a row of cows without any divisions, can also be used 
for water. In addition, the continuous trough is more 
conveniently cleaned, but on the other hand it favors the 
spread of infectious diseases, especially tuberculosis. 
Feed placed before a tuberculous cow may be contami- 
nated by infected saliva and material ejected in cough- 
ing, after which it can be readily obtained by cows in 
adjoining stalls; the tuberculous cow may also contami- 
nate the feed of the cows standing on either side, and also 
of cows standing opposite, and when water is run into 
the trough infection may be carried from one end of it 
to the other. On the other hand, separate feed troughs 
or mangers, although decreasing the danger of infec- 
tion, increase the labor of cleaning; they also make it 
necessary to have individual drinking cups or to drive 
the cows to water outside of the stable. When a herd is 
regularly tested with tuberculin and the reactors 
promptly removed, and when the trough is swept and 
washed daily, the danger of infection from the common 
feeding trough is greatly reduced. The bottom of the 
feed trough should be 2 inches higher than the level of 
the platform. When cows have to reach too far for their 
