90 Coccrcd Cattk-ijdids. 



We feel we are here treading on tender ground, as many hold 

 an opinion directly the converse of this. Their grand mistake 

 appears to lie in the very common supposition that covered yards 

 necessarily involve either a close and vitiated atmosphere or a pre- 

 valence of draughts. Instances, no doubt, may be pointed out 

 where the golden mean has not been hit, and where one or other 

 ol the above especial evils exists in a high degree ; but such are the 

 results of faulty design or bad construction, and the reasoning 

 is manifestly unjust that condemns the principle in consequence 

 of errors in the execution. 



In a 3'ard constructed as shown by the annexed plans, while 

 the cattle are sheltered and comfortable, they enjoy perfect im- 

 munity alike from tliorough draughts and from a vitiated 

 atmosphere. The fluctuations of temperature in our island are 

 Irequent and wide ; but the tendency of such a yard is to equalise 

 and control that temperature, and within its precincts winter's 

 bitter blasts and summer's intense heats are alike unknown. 



The great importance of this in the economy of animal life 

 will be readily seen. For whence comes that fatal train of 

 maladies, coughs, catarrhs, inflammations, consumptions, but 

 from exposure to sudden variations of temperature ? — We catch 

 cold. Granted that animals are not so sensitive as man : never- 

 theless, even to them, alternations of warmth, wet, and cold arc 

 most productive of disease. 



That cattle kept in covered yards enjoy better health than 

 others kept where the cover is only partial is established by 

 abundant evidence. 



In support of this view, we quote the following from a com- 

 munication with which we have been favoured from Mr. J. G. 

 Marriage, of Ham Farm, lied Hill : — " Our buildings are 130 

 leet by 1U3 feet, and afford accommodation for 100 head of stock ; 

 and to give you an idea of the health they enjoy, I may state that 

 lor the last seven years the farrier's bill has not averaged 206'. 

 per year." 



But there is yet another class of opponents to the covered-yard 

 system, who, while admitting the general well-doing of the cattle 

 kept in them during the winter, argue that what is then gained 

 is lost in early summer, when the animals are turned to grass, 

 from their great susceptibility on exposure to cold. The writer's 

 own experience, and also that of many others whom he has 

 addressed on this matter, is dead against this view. With much 

 more apparent justice might it be inferred that milch-cows, 

 which are usually kept in a much closer, warmer atmosphere, 

 would catch cold when turned to grass ; yet, as a general rule, 

 such is not the case. 



