The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1913-09-18
Cow sta', and Managers.

by r. NJ. DoLvE. Professor of Agri-
cultural Engineering. North Dakota
Agricultural Coilege)
The hangers used in up-to-date
barns vary considerably in shape and
size, dependent upon the ideas Of the
owners, but whatever the difference in
design the consensus of opinion seems
to be that concrete is the best material
for this construction. The design
shown in the illustration is simple to
construct and meets every require
ment. AS shown, it is 20 inches wide
and inches deep. The retaining wall
between the manager and stalls, while
high enough to prevent the waste of
hay, Is not SO high as to catch the
breath of the COW. The bottom of the
manger is on a level with the cows
which she procures her food when
grazing. The width is sufficient to
prevent cows from throwing hay out
of reach and the feed alley floor 10 on
level with the top of the manger
and sloping toward it, which makes
easy to clean. The bottom 10 so shap
ed that minimum amount of water
is required to permit cows to drink
out Of the manger.
The Manager should be made ct the
same times as the floor, and with con-
crete and facing of the same proper
tons. The construction 10 very sim
rle A plank set on edge on the stall
side and two templets- for the
concrete and the other for the facing
lis all that is necessary. The tenn
rlets are made from boards cut in the
desired shape, the one for the con-
crete being made larger SO as to allow
for the one-inch facing. The bottom
should be given slope of three inches
in so feet, SO that water may be readi-
~ drained out Of the manger at the
lower end.
Manure cutters, like managers, differ
in size and shape, but for concrete
floors the design shown In plate is
most common. This gutter is inches
deep and IA inches wide. Some cattle
men prefer cutters is to Is inches
wide and only 4 inches deep, still 9TH
ers place the stall as much as IL
inches and the manure alley inches
above the gutter bottom. In order to
facilitate the draining away OF the
liquids a three-inch U-shaped channel
is sometimes made in the bottom of
the gutter next to the manure alley,
but this is not necessary where slope
is given the gutter bottom. The gutter
should be given unifoFm fall of three
inches to 100 feet, and the floor OF the
manure alley should have slope to-
ward the gutter Of one inch in ten feet
The stall floors should be given one
inch drop from manger to gutter
A small. water-tight liquid manure
cistern may be provided outside the
barn into which the gutter drains, but
II manure shed is used the cistern
should be in the shed. The gutter
should be connected to the cistern by
means Of a drain pipe effectively
trapped like the soil pipe in house
and so arranged that the trap may be
easily cleaned.
Stalls. although the question Of
economy and first cost must not be
lost sight OF, should first be consid-
cred from the standpoint OF the hu.
manitarian and no patented or home
made stall should be decided upon un-
less 1t is made SO as to insure the
greatest possible comfort for the anil
mails. This Is no mere sentiment, but
sound business and any reasonable
expenditure In this direction is money
we'll invested. This Is true for types
OF cattle, but more especially 80 for
the dairy COW, which is very sensi-
tive creature. highly susceptible to
kind treatment. II she Is kept clean
and comfortable all her energy will
be devoted to the production OF milk,
while II her quarters are filthy and un-
Portable certain portion will be d.
verted and lost. This has been con
clusively proven time and again by
the almost fabulous yields of milk or
butter fat from cows when given ideal
care and treatment.
A stable to be comfortable must
needs be sanitary, It should be SO
constructed that a COW cannot lie
down in her own filth, and SO arranged
that 1t can be easily cleaned and at
ford the least possible chance for the
permanent Judgment of filth and dis
ease germs.
The type Of stall which most nearly
meets the requirements OF comfort
|! and sanitation Is undoubtedly some