362 Reading-Course for Farmers. 



O. 7. JVhat is tJie best foundation for a hen house? 



Ans. 7. Page 282, paragraph 2. It will be observed that the foun- 

 dation is built of concrete which is less expensive than stone, more effec- 

 tive in keeping out water, less liable to heave and less likely to be pene- 

 trated by rats and more easily made than is a stone foundation which is 

 laid in mortar and pointed up. (Figs. 346 and 347.) For a hen house, 

 the wall need not be more than eight to ten inches thick. It should 

 stand at least six inches above the natural level of the land and need 

 not go more than six or eight inches below the surface. To make a 

 grout wall, stakes should be driven where each corner of the building 

 is to be located. A cord is then strung two feet beyond each post in 

 all directions and stakes driven. Other lines may be strung from stakes 

 eight inches inside the corner posts which mark the width of the wall. 

 The cords may then be temporarily removed and the trench dug enough 

 wider than the actual wall is to be, to permit retaining stakes to be 

 driven and boards nailed on the inside to hold the grout. This wooden 

 frame should be made perfectly level on all sides. 



Purchase the best Portland cement. Use only clean, sharp sand. 

 Mix dry one part cement to four parts sand. Add to this five parts 

 fine, clean gravel or fine cracked or small stone. Mix with water many 

 times until every particle of cement has been distributed uniformly 

 through the mass. The secret of good cement work is first in the quality 

 of cement and sand used and second in the thorough mixing. When 

 in a puddling condition it can be scooped into wheelbarrows and thrown 

 into the wooden frame and thoroughly tamped. After the wall has 

 set, which requires only a day or two, the frame work may be removed. 



Q. 8. What is the best floor for a hen house? 



Ans. 8. Page 284, paragraph i. The floor is made of cement 

 because it is more easily cleaned, more nearly rat proof, more durable 

 and dryer when made properly than is any other floor. A good cement 

 floor should have a well drained foundation. This is most easily pro- 

 vided by filling in with fine stone to within an inch or two of the level 

 of the foundation wall. Over this can be spread the same grout mixture 

 as was used in the foundation, and on top of this should be placed about 

 half an inch of the cement mixture, made one part cement to four parts 

 of sand and troweled to a perfect level. The 2x4 sills should be placed 

 before the cement floor is laid. The cement can then be flushed against 

 the sill to prevent air and water entering between the sill and the foun- 

 dation. In some cases it may be advisable to make the cement floor level 

 with the top of the sill. 



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