274; BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



under the crib is left open for the purpose of placing -within reach 

 of the cattle such coarse fodder as may be partly eaten, and the 

 residue to go for bedding. 



Lest ^ve should not be understood in our brief explanation of 

 figures 3 and 4, Tve v/ill add, that the plan is designed for a plat 

 that descends at least eight feet in the length of the barn. This 

 may be secured in part by an artificial embankment at the upper 

 end and the back side. The object is to secure the whole height of 

 the linter in the basement, above ground. It "will readily be seen 

 that this plan is an accommodating one ; it may be reversed -when 

 the entrance is desired at the east end. The root cellar being pro- 

 tected from frost by the earth embankment at the back-side, and by 

 the hay over it, may be secured on the other sides by a double wall 

 of boards, filled between with dry tan or other non-conductor, as an 

 ice-house is built. We would urge the importance of double board- 

 ing the walls of barns, whether, the frame is designed for horizontal 

 or vertical covering. If it is to have an outer finish of clapboards, 

 the nails hold the better. It is a cheap way to secure warmth and 

 strength to the structure. A barn should be nearly proof against 

 frost in our most severe weather, when well filled with cattle and 

 their fodder. There is not the least difficulty in attaining to this. 



A few parting words : 



With this brief attempt towards a discharge Of the duty assigned, 

 it seems due to the Committee on the one part, and the Secretary 

 and the State on the other, that we should say, that this committee 

 was appointed without their being consulted, and without their 

 knowledge at the time ; that the individuals composing it have no 

 personal acquaintance one with another ; that they have failed since 

 their appointment to effect a meeting of any two for consultation ; 

 that at a late day, when the work could no longer be deferred, the 

 working part of the committee could not be less numerous ; that the 

 broad invitation given to " the rest of mankind " by the Secretary 

 in his circular, failed to elicit anything touching this subject. Bred 

 neither to literature nor mechanics, with but an occasional hour for 

 the indulgence of extras of this sort, are circumstances attending 

 the working part of the committee, that mark their impress clearly 

 on the face of the production. 



The chairman acknowledges his obligations to his associates, for 



