FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X 717 



3. FRAMING. 



Tlie design submitted is of a rather substantial frame built of 2x4-inch ma- 

 terial. It is entirely possible to build this house with much less framework, 

 but the more substantially built house is desirable. White or yellow pine, No. 1 

 or No. 2, may be used in the framework. Tlie construction of the frame is 

 clearly shown in the drawing. 



Wind braces in the roof framing on the slope opposite the hinged roof doors 

 are quite essential in that tliey prevent distortion when the house is moved; 

 they likewise add much to the general rigidity of the roof, thus insuring that 

 the doors fit more closely. 



4. AIDING AND ROOF. 



Tlic Iowa house is covered with 10-inch shiplap whicli is tight and sheds 

 water quite satisfactorily. While pine No. 2 is recommended for both the roof 

 and sides inasmuch as it stands the weather to great advantage, not shrinking 

 so as to necessitate the addition of battens, nor emitting a rosin which is not only 

 disagreeable to the herdsman but causes the paint to peel. Some of the station 

 house roofs were made of yellow pine ; it was not long before cracks appeared 

 between the boards because of tiieir shrinkage, thus necessitating the addition 

 of battens. If so desired the white pine roof can also be battened but this is 

 hardly necessary imless roofing boards (not shiplapped or grooved) be used. 



If an exceptionally warm house is demanded one can use double siding and 

 roofing with interlaid tar paper ; ordinarily, however, this is unnecessary under 

 Iowa conditions. 



5. DOORS. 



Location, size, and general character of the doors mean much to the con- 

 venience of the hog house. There are entrance, end, and shade doors each of 

 which deserves mention. 



A. Entrance Door. — This door may be placed in the middle of the gable end, 

 or near one corner of the end or side. The corner location, whether it be in 

 the side or end. Is the best because the swine are better protected from drafts 

 and storm, and bedding is not so apt to be blown or carried out. The size of 

 doorway called for in the original plans, 22x26-inch, may be made larger, higher 

 especially, by building the sides higher, say 6 inches or so. Some of the large 

 breeds demand higher doorways than specified. 



The southeast corner door makes it possible for the direct rays of the early 

 morning sun to fall upon the floor of the inner house, thus promoting growth 

 and general vigor of the pigs. 



When the door is at the corner it is necessary that hinges be used for at- 

 tachment whereas the central location en.ables one to have the more serviceable 

 sliding door which is firmly held in place by guides and easily fastened with a 

 solid, substantial pin or bolt. 



A piece of burlap hung over the doorway furnishes an automatic door but 

 its serviceability is short. Another sort of automatic door may be made by 

 means of straps (ropes or heavy dog chain may be used) and light pieces of 

 about lx2-inch or 3-inch dimensions. Simply nail the straps down on both ends 

 of the previously arranged lx2's or lx3's sawed to fit the doorway horizontally, 

 and placed side by side. The straps must extend beyond the combination of 

 pieces so as to enable attachment to be made to the casing above the doorway 

 from which the door swings. This door may be made of rope by boring two 

 holes in both ends of the cut cross pieces and then weaving the rope therein. 

 Generally, however, the more rigid doors are to be advised because of their dura- 

 bility and other obvious advantages. With the automatic doors described the 

 hogs are not easily .shut in or kept out of the house. 



B. Roof Doors. — Doors in the roof economize management of the swine ; in 

 addition they permit the interior to be thoroughly sunned and ventilated. The 

 roof doors had best be on the east side of the houses which have the entrance 

 door on the south end ; this is in order to take advantage of the successive early 

 morning and forenoon sun. When the entrance door is in the east corner of the 

 .south side wall (see fig. 3) the roof doors should be on the south or sunny 

 side. 



