420 



Planning and Construction of Cow-Sheds. [Aug.,. 



Two points must, however, be borne in mind in connection 

 with this scheme : (1) the fact that the method adopted is 

 distinct in principle from the ordinary practice, and (2) that 

 the peculiar needs of a Kesearch Institute, where experiment 

 and trial are the root factors, do not necessarily apply to 

 ordinary commercial farming. Nevertheless, the plans offer 

 some food for thought, and to those who own extensive but 

 out-of-date and inadequate buildings, the suggestion may be 

 of value that improvement for commercial purposes could be 

 inexpensively undertaken on similar lines to those deliberately 

 adopted by the Institute authorities. 



There must be many farms where existing cow-sheds, no 

 longer in conformity with modern ideas and methods of clean 

 milk production, could be cheaply converted into milking 

 sheds, and where, by the adaptation of an open yard into a 

 covered yard somewhat on the lines of the plans shown, ample 

 provision could be made for the accommodation of a consider- 

 able herd of milking cows, and at less cost than building a 

 modern cow-shed for the same number. 



Description of Plans. — Fig. 1 shows the general lay-out of 

 the existing and proposed new buildings. It may be said that 

 the old farm buildings are typical of thousands throughout the 

 country, and though, at the present time, it is found possible 

 to produce Grade A milk, it is doubtful if, under the physical 

 conditions obtaining, it would be a commercial possibility, 

 winter and summer, day in and day out, were it not for the 

 never-failing vigilance and care of the Institute staff. 



The fact that it is possible to produce Grade A milk under 

 the existing conditions is a clear indication that it is the human 

 element which is the most important factor, and that it is not 

 elaborate or costly buildings alone which produce the desired 

 results. 



Reference to the site plan shows the relationship of the 

 various new buildings, hatched in on the plan, from which 

 it will be seen that these comprise a large farm steading, a 

 milking shed, lavatories and cloak rooms, and a dairy. The 

 new 7 animal house and the other Institute buildings do not 

 come within the range of the present article, which is intended 

 rather to emphasise the principle adopted and call attention to 

 the fact that such principles might be applied to existing build- 

 ings with comparatively little expense. 



Fig. 3 shows the plan and general distribution of the main 

 farm buildings, which in effect follow 7 the traditional arrange- 



