The clear-sighted, ambitious breeder or dairyman of the present time will lay quite as much stress upon the influence of surroundings and conditions in the development of the finer characteristics and enduring qualities of a dairy herd as to the more frequently advocated advantage to be derived from a superior breed or type of cattle. For an instinctive judgment should unerringly guide him to the certain knowledge that neither breed nor type of undisputed merit could ever make a more than ordinary showing in the hands of a careless or indifferent herdsman, or under discouraging stable conditions. Therefore, in his earnest search for hidden or dormant qualities that may add to the value or productiveness of his cattle, he will be obliged to give careful heed to the seemingly trifling details that may serve to govern, even in the slightest degree, the character of

off-spring, or the quality and quantity of product. And, while he may have read with both interest and profit numerous valuable chapters dilating upon the varied experience and ultimate success of others, he will not rest quite secure in his convictions until his confidence has been founded on actual experience and augmented by a close study of the natural tendencies of the animals comprising his herd. So much printed space and urgent eloquence has been devoted to strenuous appeals for more sunshine and better ventilation in our cow barns, that even the stubborn advocate of "what was good enough for the past is good enough for the present" can no longer find courage or voice to defend unsanitary stabling. The numerous new or thoughtfully renovated barns throughout our state are a worthy tribute to the steady advancement of wiser and more humane methods in the housing of our stock, yet, even with roomy, well constructed barns, where a dirigent research for upto-date improvements, together with a care for perfect sanitation, has led the owner to believe himself justified in looking forward to a substantial monetary reward for his lavish investment, the results may fall far short of his expectations if he does not go still further in his painstaking calculations to secure the greatest possible amount of comfort for the cattle.

The Stanchion.

It is scarcely necessary to even mention stanchions in connection with modern cattle fixtures, for the intelligent breeder or dairyman who stops even a moment to take counsel with his better judgment and humane impulse, will unhesitatingly condemn as a relic of barbarian stupidity, if not absolute fiendishness, the rigid stanchion, that, even in this stage of advanced civilization, may sometimes be found in a modern cow barn. There is little excuse for this offense against progression, and, if

the man who has thoughtlessly introduced this instrument of torture in his stable will use his powers of observation, it will require but a short space of time to convince him that almost any kind of a stall or tie would be preferable to the rigid bars that cannot admit of perfect rest and a reasonable amount of freedom. No one possessed of a compassionate nature can walk down before a line of stanchion fastened cows without feeling a thrill of pity for the creatures that stand hampered like traitorous felons and with mute, appealing eyes proclaim an innocence re

and with a little thought all the needful requisites of the owner, in regard to preserving cleanliness, a minimum amount of labor, together with convenient handling of the animals, may be so easily blended with the desirable cattle comfort that one will regard the stanchion in the light of a hideous nightmare and try to forget that it ever existed.

The Comfortable Stall the Best.

The question of securing a commendable cattle stall will be an easy matter if one will give the necessary require

flecting on either the wisdom or sympathetic instincts of their owner. And this, too, when down through the ages comes untarnished and still legible the little guide board to man, which bears the significant admonition "A merciful man is merciful to his beast," and while the wording of this proverb has been slightly misquoted, its meaning has in no wise been changed.

And it is not alone the merciful, but the shrewd business man who will quickly recognize the practical advantage to be derived by placing a COW under the most comfortable conditions,

ments careful consideration, and by giving the rights of the cow a first place in our calculations it will be no difficult matter to provide a stall that will satisfy all demands the most exacting owner could require. The first requisite for this purpose is clean, dry and ample space, where she may have perfect liberty and control of head, neck, limbs and muscles, and one important reason for this is that when a cow is resting she may lie in a natural position, which will invariably be found to be with her head on her side. And any stall that will insure this freedom of

A Member-Is that better than the McLeary stall?

Mrs. Howie--I do not know that it is better. There is no patent on this, and you can get it a little cheaper. Those doors fold back and you have a clean, straight platform and you can turn the hose on that platform and scrub it off with a broom.

Prof. Emery-This stall was in operation before the McLeary stall was invented.

A Member-I was much troubled with my cows breaking the points of their toes in that kind of a stall. Have you been bothered that way?

Mrs. Howie-Oh, no; we should not compel a cow to stand so close to the gutter as to do that.

This stall will

admit of the cow stepping forward a little and moving back; never cramp a cow. I have seen in some barns chain marks all across the backs of the cows' udders where they have been cramped in that way. The toes will be liable to slip off when cows are so pressed for room. We never have that trouble, because we do not cramp our cows.

Prof. Emery - How wide are these stalls?

Mrs. Howie They are three feet three inches from center to center, and that is quite wide enough even for a large cow, while for a small one it will be impossible for her to turn around, and that is all we wish to prevent her from doing. We want her to have perfect liberty otherwise. When the cow lies down, she can stretch her legs out and she has control of every muscle of her body, consequently she is comfortable and content, and that is what we must strive for if we are to have the best results-cleanliness, comfort and

contentment.

Mr. Jacobs-I put in stanchions before I knew Mrs. Howie. After that I did not rest well, I wanted things fixed so my cows could rest well and I simply hung doors on the stanchions, put a post at the rear and hung doors there. The stanchions are there today, but they are left open and the cows are enjoying practically the same liberties as those in the adjoining Bidwell stalls.

Mr. Foster-I want to clear up one little bit of fog. Is there, in your opinion, any stall or manner of fastening cattle, in use, that will obviate the ne

cessity of currying those cows, or cleaning them off?

Mrs. Howie No. Our object should be to produce a first-class product right on the farms for the credit of the farmer himself. Our reputation is built there, that is our home and our occupation. Every great man strives to be at the head of his profession, and if you are a breeder or a dairyman you must consider this matter. Now, do not figure at all times to cut off work, to save work, we hear so much of that. First, make the most excellent product that is possible, and after that economize on work if you can, but when you have once produced a perfect product, no matter if it has required great effort, you will not wish to take a step backward. Now, we should curry our cattle if we are to have the best results. Some may say, "I haven't time.” Of course you haven't if you curry those cattle but once in a month. You know if you didn't wash your face more than once a year, it would take quite a bit of time to get the dirt off, but if you will do it day after day it requires only a few minutes. One may curry an animal in just a few minutes with a good, stiff brush and curry comb. This is not alone intended for cleanliness, but it is a means of securing perfect health and the better condition of our cattle; it will stimulate a healthy circulation and the milk is made through the blood and as long as we can get a better quality of milk, it will pay us to thoroughly brush our cattle, and after you have once seen a row of finely groomed cattle in your barn it will break your heart to look down the row and see them filthy.

Mr. Scott-Is there less filth adhering to the cow with this stall than with any other fastening that you know of?

Mrs. Howie-Yes, there certainly is. Now, there is one thing that has troubled me a great deal, and that is, compelling our highly developed dairy cows to lie on a cement platform with those tender, nervous, highly-developed udders, and I am going to ask Mr. Scott to give you his experiments along that line, because I consider them valuable, and I am sure you will stop and think about it before placing your cattle on cement platforms.