Farmincj of Leicestershire. 311 



mands a higher price, Ijeing before second or third rate pasture 

 land, whereas it is noic, and with judicious farming muT/ be 

 maintained as fertile arable. 



A t about the centre of these arable pieces he has erected field- 

 barns (we saw three) for the accommodation of a certain number 

 of cattle, with a cottage of a superior description attached to 

 each ; keeping in view the possibility of those pieces being lei 

 off as farms, he has so arranged the cottages that some slight 

 additions would convert them into dwelling-houses suitable for 

 small occupiers. 



The yards for the cattle are covered, being a series of parallel 

 sheds ; the mode of management is peculiar, and, as will be seen, 

 good. 



The shed roofs are high, and afford storage room for about 

 50 acres of corn, which in harvest is stacked or stored under 

 them. A fixed thrashing machine occupies one corner, power 

 being communicated by a portable engine. When the cattle 

 require to be brought into the sheds, a section of the corn is 

 thrashed, the straw being stacked up outside, and this affords 

 room for a given number, and as thrashing proceeds, additional 

 room for more cattle, if wanted, is provided ; if not, it is used 

 for storing the straw. 



No attempt is made, by the usual mode of post and rail, to 

 subdivide the shed internally, but the feeding racks are con- 

 structed so as to serve the purpose of both racks and division 

 fences. 



The Home farm buildings are plain and substantial, and. with 

 no pretence to show, additions having been made from time 

 to time as circumstances required, but on the whole the arrange- 

 ment is very convenient, 



A fixed steam engine supplies power for thrashing, grinding, 

 sawmill, chaff-cutter, pulper, cake-crusher, oat-bruiser, grindstone, 

 «S:c. The straw is cut into chaff and steamed for food; the chaff- 

 cutter being placed directly over the steaming tubs, the chaff 

 when cut falls into them. 



The mixing room is conveniently placed, the pulped roots are 

 delivered into it, the meal store opens into it, the chaff is steamed 

 in it, while it opens into a passage from which the cattle are fed. 

 Feeding arrangements such as these could scarcely be improved 

 on, were the buildings ever so costly or elaborate in style. 



Some large parallel sheds adjoin the thrashing barn, capable 

 of storing 150 acres of corn. From these the corn is pitched 

 direct to the thrashing draw, which greatly economises labour. 

 Again, in harvest, the corn, when once in, is quite safe from the 

 serious risk of losses from getting wet befoi'e it is thatched, and 

 the cost of thatching: is saved. 



