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the shed; a desirable improvement, for now the gully is usually in the
channel, within reach of the hoofs of the cow, and thus the grating is liable
to get broken, and it is often obstructed with excrement, &c.
"With respect to 'air space' your Committee saw nothing to lead them
to modify the opinion of your vestry that anything short of 800 cubic feet
per cow would be insufficient; and they learnt with regret that the Local
Authority had authorised one of the licensees to keep an increased number
of cows, beyond the number for which the license was marked by the
Justices, thus reducing the air space to 600 cubic feet for each animal, the
floor space, moreover, being below the prescribed amount.* Of the shed in
question it cannot be said that, 'taking into consideration the position and
construction of the shed, there are perfectly satisfactory means of ventilation,'
but quite the contrary; and if there is one shed in the parish where
the 800 feet for each cow, as regards the greater part of the premises, ought
to be insisted on, this is the one. The shed is close to the rear of houses,
the inhabitants of which complain of effluvia issuing therefrom.
"The third ' Provision' requires 'for each cow kept in one stall a superficial
space of at least 8 feet by 4 feet; and for two cows kept in one stall a
superficial space of 8 feet by 7 feet.' Your Vestry had previously adopted
a width of 7 feet 6 inches for a double stall; but in several of the sheds the
space now existing in double stalls is even less than 7 feet. A question has
arisen whether the length of the stalls should be reckoned from the front or
the back of the ' water-trough' or manger ? In certain sheds some of the stalls
are considerably less than 8 feet in length from the front of the trough, and
the cows appear cramped for standing room. It seems reasonable to believe
that the 8 feet length was intended to include the standing room independently
of the manger; the requirements in respect of the water-trough
being the subject of a distinct provision, viz., No. 9.
" Provision 5, for 'covering the inner walls, doors, and woodwork of the
sheds with hard, smooth, and impervious material to a height of at least 5 feet
from the floor,' has been generally carried out; viz., by covering the walls
with cement, and painting the woodwork with ' indestructible ' or silicate
paint. In some cases, only the wall in front of the cows has been covered
with cement.
" The ventilation of some of the sheds appeared to be insufficient, even
in summer weather. It must naturally be more defective when windows and
doors are closed. The same remark applies to the lighting.
" Some of the licensees consider it desirable to keep the shed hot, others
prefer a cool atmosphere. Your Committee, basing their opinion on the
ventilation of the sheds partly, at least, on the effects produced on their own
sensations, are decidedly in favor of the cool sheds as compared with those
that are hot and stuffy. On the whole, however, both ventilation and lighting
have been considerably improved.
* The attention of the Local Authority having been drawn to this matter, it was explained that
their action was taken "in ignorance of the fact that the Justices had limited the number of
cows to be kept in the sheds," and the matter wasset right at the Special Licensing Sessions in
October.—T. O. D.
H H