534 T HE Construction of Cow Houses. [oct., 



(2) The animals should enjoy the best of health, and be 

 free from risk of infection of any kind. 



(3) The design of the buildings should be such that the 

 labour of feeding and cleaning the cows should be reduced 

 to the minimum, while the comfort of the animals should be 

 the greatest which it is possible to give. 



(4) The outlay should be such as will add as little as possible 

 to the cost of production of the milk. 



While it is comparatively easy, where the requisite skill is 

 available, to provide new buildings which will meet all the 

 above requirements at even a very moderate cost, it is much 

 more difficult to alter an existing building so that it can be 

 made as suitable for the purpose as a new one. That should 

 not, however, deter owners and occupiers from making 

 alterations on the lines suggested, as under suitable guidance 

 even the most unsatisfactory buildings could often be much 

 improved at moderate cost. 



In designing a cow house, the principal details which 

 should receive consideration are the following : — 



Site, including aspect and arrangement with regard to other 

 buildings. 



General construction of the building, including the walls, 

 roof, floor, drainage, and water supply. 



Internal Design, including arrangement of stalls, stall 

 divisions, bindings, feeding troughs, manure and urine 

 channels, passages, &c. 



Air-Space, including floor space. 



Ventilation, including the various methods by which this 

 is attained ; and Lighting. 



The Site. — Where there is the opportunity of selection, the 

 site should be moderately high and dry, convenient for the 

 supply of fodder and roots, the preparation and storage of 

 feeding stuffs, the removal of the manure and urine, and 

 should give easy and ample access to the nearest pasture 

 without interference with other stock, and without affording 

 the cattle an opportunity to stray into other parts of the farm 

 buildings, &c. In the designing of a completely new set of 

 farm buildings these can usually be all provided without any 

 great difficulty. It is when a new cow house is being added 



