The climate in many parts of Australia favours the slip-shod style of farming that prevails so often among those who could afford to do otherwise. However, I would advise my "young farmer" to make his creatures as comfortable as possible, no matter in what part of Australia he lives, they will yield him a better return for it. Therefore, have your bail covered, and for this nothing is better or less expensive than a thatch roof, and almost all farm hands know how to thatch, if not, they can soon learn. The floor can be slabbed, some of the rails left over from the fence, if cut and properly dressed with the adze, will answer the purpose, but they must be securely fastened. A good plan is to raise the floor a few inches by laying three or four sleepers under, then the slabs can be nailed to them, and the approach into the bail must be, as it were, sloped off so that the cow has not to step up on to it. The calf pen is the next thing, and it must be made as near as possible to the bail, and it, too, must be made as comfortable as possible, the health and future welfare of his cows depend upon this. In the first place do not let the pen be too small, allow each calf sufficient room to move about. When it is securely fenced, mark off a portion for the shed, and the size of this depends upon the number of calves. Let it be at the most sheltered end or side, and if he cannot make it away from the wind, he must thatch or otherwise protect it. Now lay down sleepers (as in the bail) and nail slabs over them making a good firm floor. A few months ago I saw a calf pen cemented with ant-bed and sand, and made on a slight slope so that it drained to one side; but I do not like the idea, for though it might do well enough in the hot climate of Queensland in the summer, I think I would be too cold elsewhere, and possibly would engender rheumatism in young or delicate calves. It should be cleaner than slabs. However, judgment must be used in the matter, and I have given full directions for making a cement floor from the common ant-bed, among the farm recipes. Do all you can towards the comfort of the calves, and by-and-bye they will repay it ten-fold.
All vessels used for holding milk must be kept scrupulously clean, so our young farmer whom I have located under canvas for the present, must thoroughly scald out his buckets and cans in which he carries his milk. His best plan is to clean them all directly he returns from delivering his milk, and then hang them up ready for use next morning. In cleaning milk-vessels always rinse out first with cold water, then scald with soap and soda. It will be best for him to milk only once a day at first, as twice will take him too much away from his other work, besides, cows with calves to support do not require it. If he can sell his milk
