The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-03
Modern stnhIe Construction.

Country Gentleman.
The proper housing Of domestic animals
Is receiving careful. systematic consiaera-
ton as never 5efore. Investigations are ne-
ing conducted by means of careful. prac-
teal experiments by men who are thor
oughly conversant with the subject from a
practical as well as a scientific standpoint.
Mr.. l.. a. Converse, who has charge OF
the live stock and dairy departments at the
Pau-American Exposition. is a pioneer IN
this important he!d. He IS demonstrating
TO the multitude az the exposition, By ac-
tual working models. how il IS possible
TO build a really coed stable for a very
reasonable amount o. money.
In our Northern climate warmer stables
have for years occupied the attention Of
our best farmers and stockmen. and oank-
barns nave been the OutgrCwth OF the de
side to provide comfortable stables that
were both warmer and better. The con-
venience Of having all stock under one roof
carefully tucked away from the cod, with
plenty OF feed overhead, ready at all times
TO find its way 10 managers and foOd-rackS
BY gravity. proved very alIurinS TO am
bilious farmers all over the country. AMI
mails housed in these expensive dungeons
were not happy, and showed their dlscom-
future In wateTy eyes, lusterless hair, not
nose and hot. feverish breath, with fretful,
quarrelsome actions, together with their
AAAbhANg ~ oAVN Va aNNNA"
cattle thus housed were attacked by bovine
disease germs, which were materially as
ditiOns so extensively, though unlntentlon-
ally. provided. StOckmen thought the
trouble was caused by too great a change
IN temperature by allowing the cattle TO
go out for an airing or for water each day.
TO remedy this water buckets We're added
TO the stable OUTFIT, and the stock confined
in an abominable atmosphere for weeks at
a time.
Atmospheric conditions affect animals diff
ferently. The heavy breeds OF beef cattle
are usually phlegmatic IN disposition, pay-
ing but little attention TO ordinary disturb
anceS; these suffered less In consequence,
though IL vas noticed that they did not
beneht from the quantity OF feed as they
should. Mix cows OF a highly nervous
organization are more susceptible TO in
cipiont diseases caused by objectionable
surroundings than any other domestic AMI
NAL. Not until progressive scientific men
spent much time and money in investiea-
lions and experiments was the trouble
traced to its true source.
Analysing stable atmosphere led TO the
detection OF harmful bacteria in incredible
numbers Scientists engaged in the work
were slow TO give out the result OF their
drst Investigations. thinking that the con-
ditions under which they were working
might be abnormal. Prospecting further
and while endeavoring to learn the cause,
they found conditions in these cellar stables
particularly favorable TO the propagation
of stQckmen's worst enemy. Harmful bac-
terra delight In a dusty atmosphere, espe-
cially when it is impregnated with mois-
ture; when a share Of the dampness comes
from the moisture-laden breath of animals
that are obliged 10 breath the same air
over and over again, bacterial conditions
are complete.
Bank barns are always damp and always
dusty; owing to their construction they
never admit sunlight in quantities sufficient
10 be of any use. Sunlight is destructive
to all forms OF harmful bacteria; therefore
a stabls properly constructed should adj
NIT the direct rays of the sun to every
stall, IL possible.
Great progress has been made during re-
cent years in stable construction, looking TO
the complete elimination of the troubles, as
set forth along these lines.
A mode stable on the exposition grounds,
In which Is confined a number of different
breeds Of the best dairy cattle in America,
demonstrates TO Pan-American visitors
how a really good stable may be con-
structed at a low cost, that IS warm in win
ter, cool in summer, and sanitary and
hygienic at all times.
Public opinion, backed by government
milk inspection, has resolved itself into a
strict censure OF dirty, ~antiquated methods
City milk supply is now traced TO its
source, the COWS are examined thoroughly
for condition and health, and the stable Tor
cleanliness. III incompetency or indifference
has led the dairyman to dlsobey the State
sanitary requirements, he Is not permitted
to ship his milk until he satisfies the in
spectOr that he has mended his ways. This
course was made necessary by the rapidly
Increasing volume OF business which is
conducted by such a cosmopolitan class OF
people, comprising as IL does AL gfdueS OF
producers. from the most progressive farm
err down the line of small dairymen to the
ignorant huckster. Cleanliness is required
by inspectors first, last, n all the time.
thus making the right start, for cleanliness
leads to many virtues. a man who is par
ticuiar about all utensils. his wagon, stable,
cattle and himself. will not tolerate n poor
stable or an unhealthy COW. He may not
understand the science Of ferments or dis
ease germs, but his milk supply will be
good and wholesome. because he robs
harmful bacteria of the dirt upon which
thew thrive.