20 ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



Not only this, there is another and more important reason. On 

 all feeds stacked in the open fields, there is an actual loss of from 

 one-tenth to one-half of the bulk, depending on the nature of the 

 season, and the manner in which it is stacked. 



This is an outright loss. Add to this the fact that the re- 

 mainder will be inferior in quality to that stored in the barn at 

 harvest time, and you will readily see the importance of a large 

 storage capacity. 



The barn should be warm — the warmer the better. The 

 basement barn is the most suitable for dairy purposes. However, 

 if you are not so fortunate as to possess one you can make the 

 barn you have snug and warm at a small cost, by doubling the 

 walls or lining with thick building or tarred paper. Doubling' 

 the walls is to be preferred, however, since then they can be 

 whitewashed. 



Ventilation should be thorough, pure air being quite as es- 

 sential to the health of the animal as pure water. 



The stable should be kept clean, the walls should be white- 

 washed and the ceiling swept free of dust and cobwebs. 



Disinfectants should be used freely. The ordorless varie- 

 ties, such as air slacked lime and copperas are to be preferred,, 

 however, since by their use there is less danger of the milk being 

 tainted while in the stables. 



Throw open the doors and windows and allow the sunshine 

 to enter upon every possible occasion, for sunshine is the greatest 

 germ destroyer agency we have. 



On the question of water there is much to be said. The 

 dairy cows require water in great quantities, at regular intervals, 

 and of the proper kind. She should be accustomed to one water- 

 ing place and one kind of water, for if changed about she is apt 

 to drink less than her portion or none at all which invariablv, 

 causes a "decrease in the flow of milk. When and where possible, 

 I favor watering direct from the well or springs. The results 

 wall more than justify the expense of time and libor, for when 

 you depend upon a small stream or pond for your w^ater supplv. 

 especially one that has no means of being replenished and puri- 



