ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



As the answers to the last question, " What do you con- 

 sider are the chief advantages of keeping dairy cows in this way 

 over the ordinary stabling?" could not be sufficiently condensed 

 for the table, and as these answers are by far the most important, 

 they are given in full below. 



*1. "It saves labor cleaning stables and in feeding rough- 

 ness, cows are kept more comfortable and as more bedding is 

 required a greater amount of manure is made which is preserved 

 in better shape." 



2. " Cheaper, as it saves labor, cleaner, and the cows are 

 more healthy." 



3. " Saves labor in handling manure, in bedding stock, 

 and in feeding roughage. The stock have access to water at ah 

 times and are kept much more comfortable." 



4. "A larger amount of manure is made and preserved in 

 better condition. By containing much straw all liquid manure is 

 absorbed and when applied to the land, humus is added to very 

 great advantage. The system is good only where straw is abun- 

 dant that can be so utilized. If the straw is limited in amount 

 the system would be a filthy one and if the herdsman is negligent 

 or careless the cows will become more or less filthy. With a 

 careful man and reasonable attention the system works exceed- 

 ingly well. We are so well pleased with it that we have no 

 thought of making a change." 



5 . " This method saves a great deal of labor, as it is more 

 convenient and there is little stable cleaning to be done. The 

 cows are free, comfortable, and more healthy, giving the owner 

 greater profit." 



6. " Saves labor in keeping stable clean." 



7. " The greatest advantage is the saving of labor. One 

 man can handle forty cows except milking. Cows are more 

 healthy and contented. Manure is worth more, as all the liquid 

 is absorbed by the bedding and the whole is thoroughly mixed 

 together. The manure has to be handled but once and that may 



