Covered Cattle-yards. 95 



equilibrium, and it is essential that this lower opening should 

 not be too large in proportion to the upper one ; the result 

 is the thorough ventilation of the yard. And this, it will be 

 seen, is effected by very simple and inexpensive means. The 

 brickwork on which rests the tiebeam of the middle por- 

 tion of the roof, is carried a few inches higher than the walls 

 or beam supporting the roof of the outside range of buildings. 

 This gives the open space for ventilation, and at the same 

 time, as it carries the middle roof higher, affords opportunity 

 for the water to Ije discharged from the middle to the outer 

 roof, which in the ordinary course is received and carried away 

 by cast-iron spouting ; the central high roof also throws its 

 water on to this middle roof, whence it is likewise carried on to 

 the outer roof. The spouting of the outer roofs therefore carries 

 off the whole of the water that falls on the yard. It will thus be 

 seen that no expensive lead-gutters are required, and that the 

 space which in ordinary constructions is usually occupied by 

 them is utilised to give ventilation. The 15-inch space between 

 the middle and the highest central roofs is protected by the pro- 

 jection of the latter to the extent of 18 inches ; thus while light 

 and air are freely admitted, the ingress of rain is prevented ; and 

 as no louvres are required, a material saving is effected. 



The stable, cowhouse, &c., are also well ventilated by the 

 following simple, inexpensive, and, we believe, novel plan. 

 The spars, instead of being laid at one length, are divided ; one 

 part being laid from the eaves to the purlin, to which it is firmly 

 spiked. The other part is spiked on the former, and extends from 

 the purlin to the ridge ; and as this is done on both sides of the 

 roof, and for its entire length, it leaves a ventilating space equal 

 in width to the depth of the spars. The tiles have sufficient 

 overlap to prevent the rain from beating in. The ventilation is 

 excellent, and the use of the common wooden ventilators on the 

 ridge of the roof becomes altogether unnecessary. 



The divisions between the yards and stable, cowhouse, 6cc., 

 are dwarf walls 2 ft. high, finished with rails, piers being carried 

 up to support the roofs. On the south side the walls are carried 

 up the full height, to enclose the shops and loose boxes intended 

 for sick animals. If thought preferable, posts could be substi- 

 tuted in whole or in part lor the internal walls, and in that case 

 the external walls enclosing the entire yard would alone be 

 necessary. The posts carrying the roof are timber, and are set 

 in ston^, 18 in. base and 2 feet high. In our case the posts are 

 oak, 16 feet long, which square about 7 inches. If larch is used 

 no squaring is necessary, but care should be taken to select 

 straight poles. The roof is covered with tiles, unpointed except- 



