VENTILATION IN STABLES. The ab sence of proper ventilation in stock barns and stables is one of the most serious evils known in the care of stock. These buildings have either no means of ventilation except the doors and windows, causing thorough drafts and suddenly reducing the temperature, or else the building is left so open that there are currents of air passing in all directions. As to correct ventilation either in country or city it seems to be the last thing thought of. Correct ventilation consists in such means of gently moving the air, that while the temperature of the stable shall be fairly equable, there shall be little or no animal odor or that of decaying excrement. It may best be conserved by a simple system that while admitting fresh air, and carrying off the foul air, by equally simple means of deodorization, the proper effect is secured. First, the stable must be made so tight that air can not pour in through cracks and ill-fitting windows and doors. If we place a louvre on the roof of the barn—an extension of the roof upwards, protected by slat blinds, communicating with a hollow shaft two to three feet square connecting between stable and roof, the air will rise through this carrying off the foul gases. If in addition to this we provide narrow slits in the wall, with a board arranged so the incoming air shall be deflected downward, and furnished with a trap that may be closed as required, we can get plenty of pure air, and in the proper quantities as wanted. This is one of
the most simple means, and also effective. Now, if we make the shaft large enough inside, so hay and other fodder may be passed down it by means of tightly fitting doors, at proper dis tances through the mow, we may have two economies at once, the shaft and chute leading to the feeding floor. Of course, if the building is of one story, no air shafts will be needed; the air may escape directly from the louvre, or even from slits properly guarded under the eaves. In relation to deodorization: This may be by means of dry, finely pulverized clay or loam in the stalls. This will absorb the liquids, the essence of the manure, and only the saturated portions are removed to the manure pile. It will pay far more than the cost, and with plenty of bedding, another important economy, you conserve the comfort of the animals as well. If you have not the prepared earth, use ground gypsum freely.. It will act both mechanically and chemically, is in itself a valuable fertilizer, and cheap. The other plan is to sprinkle the stalls with a solution of copperas (sulphate of iron). It is safe to say that the liquid manure treated as we have described would give double the value, than where treated in the ordinary man ner. (See Ventilation, page 1005.)