iqoq.] The Construction of Cow Houses. 541 



to adopt design No. 2, where the same principle is followed 

 as in No. 1, except that two rows of cows are provided for, 

 instead of one. 



This arrangement has a great deal to recommend it 

 from various points of view, and although the initial cost 

 is fairly high, the advantages obtained warrant the extra 

 expense. In building a new cow-house, unless for a very 

 small number of cows, the two-row design will in nearly 

 every case be adopted, as the cost per cow is somewhat less 

 than in the single one. The extra cost for a cow-house on 

 this plan is not so great as would appear at first sight. It 

 is desirable to provide a certain cubic or floor space for each 

 animal, and the cost of the extra passage is saved in the 

 walls, which do not require to be made the same height as 

 in a building without any passage at the heads of the cattle. 



In many of the dairying districts a passage between the 

 heads of the cows and the wall is considered unnecessary and 

 undesirable, because (1) any saving in labour that is effected 

 by feeding' the cows from a passage at their heads compared 

 with one from behind is only trifling, and is more than 

 discounted by the extra labour necessary to keep that passage 

 clean ; and (2) when animals have been lying for a time they 

 very often pass some excrement as soon as they rise. Where 

 there is a feeding passage at their heads the cows usually 

 rise when feeding begins, and in their anxiety to be fed 

 they generally press toward the passage, and if the fittings 

 permit of it, they often thrust their heads over the division. 

 Any excrement dropped at this time, as is often the case, 

 falls on the floor of the stall, instead of in the manure 

 channel. If this is not cleared away soon after, the cow 

 may lie down on it later on, and soil not only her hind- 

 quarters, but also her udder and teats. With a bullock 

 intended to be slaughtered this would be thought little of, 

 as it is not in any way likely to affect the quality of the flesh 

 of the carcase. It is, however, quite the reverse with a cow 

 giving milk, as clean milk can never be obtained from a 

 dirty cow, much less from one with her udder or teats soiled 

 with her own excrement. Milk produced under such condi- 

 tions is disgusting. Where the division in front of the cows, 

 however, is made high enough to prevent them putting their 



