CH. XV CONDITIONS OF MILK SUPPLY 247 



absorbent variety, and when seen are frequently worn, irregular, 

 and with gaping joints. The writer has only seen a small 

 number of floors constructed of impervious brick. Stone 

 slab floors are often very badly jointed. In the better con- 

 structed sheds the floor is most commonly a cement one, and 

 is usually ribbed to prevent slipping. Even with a cement 

 floor, it is not uncommon to see it made so badly, and with 

 such bad material, that it is all in holes and depressions. 



Where drainage is provided, as in most sheds with cement 

 or brick floors, the fluids pass away by a drain into a cesspit, 

 or not infrequently into the stack yard.^ The cesspit is some- 

 times uncovered, and usually is too near the sheds. 



The lighting and ventilation of most cowsheds leaves much 

 to be desired. In some parts of the country — for example, in 

 many parts of Somerset — the cowsheds are entirely open on 

 one side. The prejudice against the free ventilation of cowsheds 

 is very strong and widespread. Even when air openings are 

 provided they are often blocked up. It is common to find 

 that the doors are the only means of ventilation, while, 

 when openings are provided, they are often too small and so 

 badly placed that they give rise to draughts detrimental 

 to the cows. Lighting defects are also extremely prevalent, 

 ranging from the shed which is quite dark when the 

 doors are shut to the shed which is only dark in places. 

 Lighting and ventilation defects are usually associated 

 together. 



Gross overcrowding of cows within the sheds is also 

 common, either habitually or more often only at special times. 



The actual structure of the sheds varies greatly, 



ranging from low sheds with galvanised iron roofs to lofty 



barns with or without a hay -loft above. Even when the 



main cowsheds are satisfactory it is very common to find 



a number of loose boxes adjacent to the sheds and con- 



^ This plan is not always adopted as an economy, but sometimes for manurial 

 purposes. For example, the writer inspected some newly constructed cowsheds, 

 built by an enlightened and progressive landlord. The sheds occupied three 

 sides of a square and were of most satisfactory design and construction, apart 

 from the fact that the liquid excreta and washings were intentionally conducted 

 into the central yard by short pipes. The old litter and the maniire from the 

 sheds were dumped into the middle of the yard, and were watered and matured 

 by the liquids. The cows walked through the quagmire to their sheds. The 

 writer was considered a faddist when he compelled alteration. 



