564 Reading-Course for Farmers. 



of imitation, but, on the whole, it usually represents a more or less un- 

 conscious adaptation to the climatic conditions and to the methods of 

 farming. 



In the New England States the barns are not only all connected but 

 they are also usually connected with the dwelling. In Holland the con- 

 nection is even more intimate. On the other hand, in the central and 

 southern United States it is common to build a number of unattached 

 outbuildings, while in England buildings are not only detached but are 

 not infrequently distributed about the estate. 



The factors entering into this problem are labor, temperature and 

 ventilation. In many places the labor of caring for live-stock is only a 

 small part of the total labor of the farm. In such cases, the arrangement 

 of buildings so as to reduce the general farm labor, particularly in the 

 busy season, will be a most important consideration. In mildly temperate 

 climates when barns are built primarily to keep animals and objects dry, 

 rather than for protection against great cold, large dependence must be 

 placed on wind as a means of ventilation. In such cases the location and 

 arrangement of the buildings is a matter of some importance. 



The best situation for the barn is east or south of the dwelling. The 

 barnyards are preferably situated either south or east of the barn. This 

 then brings the yards farthest from the house, the least subject to ob- 

 servation from the house, and, as the prevailing winds of the United 

 States are from the south and west, it is the most sanitary condition so 

 far as the farm dwelling is concerned. The next least objectionable posi- 

 tion would be north of the dwelling, with the yards east of the barns. 

 The ideal location for barns is east of dwelling with the yards on the 

 south and east. In locating a barn particular attention should be paid 

 to the possibility of proper drainage, in order that both buildings and 

 }ards may be as dry as possible. 



In the climate of northeastern United States, it is desirable that the 

 yards and buildings should be protected from the winter winds, those 

 from the northwest, perhaps, being the most objectionable. On the other 

 hand, it should be borne in mind that the most difficult thing to obtain 

 in farm buildings is ventilation, and that wind is our most effective agent 

 in obtaining it. If a series of buildings are to be built they should be so 

 arranged as not to interfere wdth the proper circulation of wind about 

 these buildings. For this reason, the hollow scjuare may be objectionable. 

 While a row of buildings side by side would be less objectionable, a row 

 placed end to end but not in a straight line would l)e least objectionable. 



The introduction of the horse-fork and the hay-carrier and the 

 adoption of the silo have led to radical departures in form of buildings 

 and method of construction. It is no longer necessary to dri\o into the 



