EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 249 



be taken against moisture which rises like oil in a lamp wick. This 

 can be prevented by separating the earth fill from the soil beneath by 

 a three or four inch layer of stones or cinders. It is claimed that 

 cinders tend to check invasions of rats usually troublesome with earth 

 floors. It is said that earth floors are harder to keep clean and that 

 the litter becomes dirty more quickly than with board or cement floors; 

 economy in construction and the ever present dust bath are however 

 commendable features. The foul earth to the depth of a few inches 

 should be replaced at least once each year in maintaining good sanita- 

 tion. 



Board floors are rarely used except in portable houses because of their 

 expensiveness and the suitable conditions they furnish for harboring 

 vermin. 



Concrete floors, favored next to earth, are increasing rapidly in use 

 and popularity. While the first cost of the concrete floor is greater, 

 it is durable, dry, clean, and can be perfectly disinfected in case of 

 disease. This type of floor is objected to as being cold but the objec- 

 tion can be overcome by the use of a deep straw covering. An earth 

 floor may be tried first and if unsatisfactory, replace by concrete later. 



WIDTH OF POULTRY HOUSE. 



The width of the house depends entirely upon its use. Breeding 

 houses are usually narrow because a limited number of birds are kept 

 in one pen. Laying houses are generally 14 feet to 20 feet wide. The 

 wider the house the more economically it can be built per square foot 

 of floor space. , 



HEIGHT OF HOUSE. 



The height of house depends upon its kind; sufficient room for work- 

 ing comfortably is all that is necessary. Generally speaking, continu- 

 ous houses have their high side to the south, especially those which admit 

 all light from that direction, in which case not less than six feet is 

 needed in front with at least four feet in the back. In order to permit 

 the light to extend to the back of the house, a 16 foot width should have 

 a 7 foot front, 18 foot width, 71/2 foot front, etc. The height of front 

 would also depend upon the style of roof used but from the standpoint 

 of lighting from the south side these rules should be observed in order 

 to properly light the building. 



STYLE OF ROOF. 



The most suitable style of roof depends entirely upon the type of 

 house. The commonest form used is the shed roof, sloping one way, 

 best adapted to the narrow house facing the south. A roof of this kind 

 with the high side to the south sends all the water to the rear, is simple 

 to construct and will not absorb as much heat as the combination or 

 gable roof, upon a portion of which the sun's rays strike more directly. 

 The shed roof should not be used on houses over fourteen feet wide 

 as the length of span will permit sagging and in order to secure a 



