ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 187 



bedding is used it is quite possible to produce good milk, but the 

 condition is not what it should be. The dry dirt is stamped into 

 dust under the front feet of the cows and ramped ino mud under 

 their hind feet. We will suggest then that a part of the stable 

 be floored over with good planks or cement at once, and the heav- 

 iest milkers given the cleanest part. Continue laying plank or 

 cement as fast as time and money can be found until the whole 

 stable has a good floor. If possible, let part of the floor be laid 

 in cement each year, doing a thorough job as you go, and in a 

 few years you will have a floor to be proud of. This does not 

 require expensive help. The department at Washington has just 

 sent out a bulletin especially to teach farmers how cement may be 

 economically employed upon the farm. 



I am not particular how you tie your cows. You may use 

 a strap, a chain, a swing stanchion, or not tie at all, and get good 

 results. This is not saying that one method is not as good as 

 another, but that all of them can be safely used. 



Milk is extremely quick to absorb odors; therefore, the air 

 in the barn should be pure, and not for this reason alone, but as 

 well for the health of the cow. A close stable means impure air, 

 and impure air means weakened cows, susceptible to disease. I 

 visited a number of stables in Northern Illinois last spring after 

 the sun had begun to war mup old mother earth and the stench on 

 opening the door was sickening. It did not seem possible that 

 cows could live in that atmosphere, to say nothing of producing 

 wholesome milk. Open the windows and doors if you can do 

 nothing better. Get circular No. 95 from your experiment sta- 

 tion and see how cheaply and easily good ventilation may be ob- 

 tained. 



The next important point about the barn is the ceiling over 

 the cows. Have it smooth and tight as possible. No dirt and 

 dust and cobwebs to fall on the cow's back and in the pail. Use 

 lots of whitewash ; put in some windows for light, and you need 

 not be ashamed to have the owner of the finest model barn in the 

 country inspect your dairy. 



Keep the cows clean. For some reason or other the farmer 



