THE NEW BARN. 261 



feet or more below the surface, the top be low enough, so that 

 the land may be ploughed, and not disturb the drain. 



The square stone drains, as you probably know, are the 

 cheapest where there is stone with which to build them. 

 The tile-drain should be sunk the same depth ; and flat 

 stones, reaching from the top of the pipe, and spreading to 

 the sides, should be snugly laid together ; for, by so doing, 

 three spaces (two besides the interior of the tile) are open 

 all the time for the conveyance of the water. This structure 

 of flat stones and drain-tile I cover with about a foot of 

 small stones for a filter, and cover these with a layer of an 

 inch of leather-chips, felt-trimming from hat-factories, which 

 are the best, or sods, if neither of these can be obtained. 



Drains should be built from the top down hill (this is very 

 important), to prevent their filling up while being laid. The 

 only trouble I have had with drains is from meadow-moles 

 working through from the surface, and letting hi the surface- 

 wash. I consider drainage one of the most important im 

 provements on the farm, and should hire the money to do it, 

 rather than undertake to cultivate wet land without. 



In 1865 a new barn was needed to accommodate the great 

 increase of crops ; for, though it had been outgo above in- 

 come the first three years, in 1863 the place more than paid 

 its running expenses, and has ever since. This new barn, 

 which is forty by sixty feet, I built from plans that were 

 the result of my personal experience in farm-work. Five 

 plans were duly developed before I was fully satisfied that 

 J had the right one. 



It is apparent, that to cover many conveniences and much 

 room with a single roof is the cheapest, and, in general, the 

 best way. 



My barn has three entrances for teams, the first into the 

 basement, which is for the purpose of hauling out manures, 

 for drawing in and storing the root-crop, and for storage of 

 larcje carts and wagons. 



You will see at once that there are three sections, — for 

 manures, roots, and teams. 



No part of the barn is more important, and none has more 

 to do with the general prosperity of the farm, than the cellar. 

 It should be tight, to prevent the absorption or waste of the 

 liquid from the manures. It should be light, to admit the 



