94 CLEAN MILK 



be also probably unnecessary feed boxes which cannot be readily- 

 cleaned, rubbish and implements and dirt to be removed. 



Everything which may collect dust or dirt should be done away 

 with. The whole premises then should be washed, swept and 

 painted or whitewashed. The material sold in the form of a powder 

 and known in the trade as water paint, and which is mixed with 

 water by the user, is not much more expensive than whitewash and 

 is infinitely better. The floors of the cow stalls must be smooth 

 and tight, to be kept clean, and may be of matched wood — although 

 the gutters are preferably of cement. The floor of the stall must 

 not be too long or too short, so that the cow when up will just stand 

 on the edge of the gutter. If the cows are of different breeds and 

 sizes this may be regulated by arranging the ties at proper distances 

 from the gutter. It is well to have a sufficient space behind the 

 gutters, so that one can 'walk without being soiled with manure, 

 five feet at least, and in some stables this space is made wide enough 

 to drive a wagon for filling with manure. This, however, is not 

 necessary, nor the best way to remove the manure, as it should not 

 be allowed to collect at all. The gutters must be deep enough (eight 

 inches or more) to keep the cows clean when lying down, or may 

 be made six inches deep at one end and ten inches at the other end 

 of the barn to secure a fall for flushing them out with water. They 

 should be made watertight. It is well to keep land plaster or lime 

 always in the gutters to absorb odors. Extra ventilation may be 

 added by installing one of the systems described above without 

 great expense. 



Feeding should only be done after milking. A sufficient supply 

 of hot and cold water and basins, soap and towels should be pro- 

 vided in a convenient place for the milkers to wash, and this may 

 be used as a dressing-room. No manure should be permitted to 

 remain within several hundred feet of the barn, and the ground 

 about the barn must be kept clear of rubbish, dirt and stagnant 



