THIRTY-SIXTH ANNUAL CONVENTION. 55 



and tail, recommends itself to you all. It costs the dairyman 

 little or nothing, makes his work of cleaning the udder much 

 easier, and is of great help in producing a cleaner milk. 



Regarding the Stable. 



The first thing that attracts the observer's attention is its 

 location relative to the other buildings, its drainage, and the 

 drainage and cleanliness of the stable yard. The disposal of the 

 manure next receives attention. It is hauled daily to the field, 

 kept in a proper pit, or allowed to rot on the boards on the sides 

 of the barn. Entering the stable, the general construction is 

 considered; has it a tight floor, a gutter, stanchions, low mang- 

 ers', smooth, tight ceiling, and smooth, tight walls ? What is the 

 number of square feet of glass per cow and the method of ven- 

 tilation? While you are noting the equipment, the cleanliness 

 or dirtiness of the stable is always before you. Too of tea, 

 through the country we find loose ceilings. By that I mean 

 saplings run through the stable with straw or hay piled on top 

 to make the ceiling. Such places invariably have tne ceilings and 

 walls covered with dust and cobwebs, and some of this dust and 

 dirt finds its way into the milk. Most dairymen agree that cob- 

 webs are a bad thing in a dairy stable although one man argues 

 that they keep down flies and he would be very sorry to part 

 with his cobwebs. The keeping of horses, pigs or poultry in the 

 cow stable is also very objectionable. 



Fresh air is necessary to the health of the stock. So, too, 

 is light. It is well known that sun light will destroy germ life. 

 The dairyman while providing proper ventilation should also 

 provide for admitting an abundance of sunlight into his barn. 

 Fresh air and plenty of sunlight are the surest means of prevent- 

 ing germ diseases in the dairy herd. Should whitewash and 

 have screens on windows. 



Right here I want to illustrate the action of air and sunshine 

 on bacteria. Two years ago last summer I was one of a party 

 of Aldermen from the City of Elgin that went to Ft. Leaven- 



