CHAPTER V 



HOUSING AND CARE OF COWS 



IN considering the practical details concerned with the housing- 

 and care of cows, and the handling and marketing of milk, 



our object will be to emphasize the essentials required for 



the production of clean milk. 



Many different methods may be employed to attain the same 

 «nd, but certain principles are essential. Ideal methods are un- 

 fortunately expensive, and the most approved appointments of the 

 modern stable and dairy rival those of the surgeon's operating 

 room in elaborateness and cost. Nevertheless, milk which will 

 fulfil all the requirements necessary for " certification " can be- 

 produced by care and cleanliness in an ordinary stable, and without 

 any great outlay for plant. 



The Barn 



The essentials are that it shall be clean, light, airy, free from 

 dust, flies and odors. In regard to the air space in a barn, this is 

 a matter which depends wholly on the ventilation. When the: 

 ventilation is good, 500 cubic feet of air per cow is sufficient, as 

 the air is in constant movement. The number of cubic feet of air, 

 rather than air space, is the important matter. The King system 

 for stables is that commonly used, the principle being to secure a 

 current of air traveling at the rate of 200 to 500 cubic feet per 

 minute through the barn. 



The animal's heat is used to aid the movement of air. If the- 



stable is too high, the animal-heat will be lost, so that in cold 



climates a height of 8 feet is sufficient, while a good width for a~ 



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