IMPROVED COW SHEDS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 18, 16 October 1907, Page 2

IMPROVED COW SHEDS.

THE.BELGIAN METHOD. According to an extract from the journal' of the British Board of Agriculture, read at the meeting of the Masterton A. and P. Association on Saturday, the Belgian farmers' have competitions for the best kept cowshods in the -several districts. There is some talk tof .New. Zealand dairy-farmers adopting similar plans, writes;' our Wairarapa correspondent,'but" the system to be imposed by the Government-, making it mandatory for farmers to keep their cowsheds up to a certain standard of cleanliness, should 1 accomplish as ■ much good in twelvo months as competitions would in twelvo yoars.. That is assuming that the inspectors are practical men, who will not run too much to red tape. It is interesting to note, however, in what manner these cow-yard competitions are carried out in Belgium. The judges comprise an agricultural instructor, a municipal officer, and a . dairy-fanner, who visit the byres of the com-

petitors in the sunimer and ' also in the autumn. Tlio maximum, points allowed are 100. Maries are awarded for .the'.-, several conditions which are necessary for a wellkept shed, and a difference is made between a farmer who is an owner of the property and one who is merely a tenant. The pi'opertyownor himself is allowed most,marks for,his building arrangements, situation, and general condition, while the tenant reaps his benefit in general cleanliness,' ventilation, .lighting, and temperature., livery competitor must 1 score-65 marks to obtain a prize,- the value of which rises correspondingly as competitors near the,maximum. The scale of marks is as detailed:— In case of , In case of Owners. Tenants. 1. Buildings, arrange- i. ment, situation, etc... 20 .10 2.- .Flooring. ... ..., ,10 .5 3. Liquid Manure Tank 10 s'. . 4. Ceiling 10 '5 5. Ventilation, lighting, temperaturo ... ... 20 '' 35 G. Litter, ... ... 5 5 7, General cleanliness... 25 35 • ■ /The Belgian farmers aro.not very enthusiastic over these competitions. In 1905 there, were 168 competitors; in. an earlier, year 180. The average, however, is 85' per. year. 'In a report on the subject, M. Henderson, Assistant State Agriculturist, states' that sinee • the organisation of these * competitions the condition of the cattle byres has considerably improved, especially in regard to ventilation, lighting, and general cleanliness. "lii certain districts the sheds of .most of; the competitors were formerly in a deplorable condition as regards hygiene, whereas they are now absolutely, models. The competitions'- serve, moreovor, as an excellent stimulant, not only to those that take part 1 in them,: but also to the owners, who are led in consequence to carry out improvements in the' buildings. Moreover, thev competition oyokes a certain emulation among the farmers in the neighbourhood, and the example of those who take part is followed by those who do not. v