SHEDS 



farm buildings. The initial cost of two cOats of good paint 

 is not prohibitive; the durability of the wood may be in- 

 creased almost indefinitely if the surface is kept covered to 

 prevent the ingress of the spores of decay. The prosperous 

 farmer's buildings are always kept painted, not only to pre- 

 serve the wood, but to improve the appearance of the build- 

 ings themselves. 



On new wood, two coats are usually sufficient. The first 

 coat should contain mainly oil, with a small amount of the 

 base and coloring pigments, so that it will permeate every 

 pore; the second coat should be heavier, containing less oil 

 and more pigment. Surfaces that have been painted can be 

 kept in good condition by the occasional application of a 

 single coat. 



The planning of an implement shed will require data as 

 to the number and size of machines and the amount of space 

 that each will occupy. The arrangement of the machines 

 so as to make them easily accessible at times when they are 

 most needed is also important, e. g., a binder being used but 

 once a year may well occupy a far corner, leaving a space 

 near the door for the mower and plow, implements which 

 are used oftener and for longer periods than the binder. The 

 manure spreader, wagons and buggies are used so much 

 throughout the year that they should be especially acces- 

 sible. Table I, pages 19 and 20, gives the floor space re- 

 quired for most farm machines; the height of the machine 

 is also given. Of course, it is entirely possible to crowd 

 machines together as they are put into the shed, and so much 

 saving in room can be accomplished in this way that little 

 clearance space need be left. For instance, the outer edge 

 of a binder platform can be easily raised several feet, pro- 

 vided a pair of reel slats with the attached arms are removed, 

 and in this space beneath the platform can be stored such 

 implements as hand drill, walking plows, etc. Similar oppor- 

 tunities for economy in space can very easily be found. 



In general the construction of a machine shed is that of 

 the very simplest ; yet utility and beauty can be very easily 

 combined with simplicity. Since the building is not subjected 

 to any heavy load, as would be the case with a crib or a 

 barn, the framing is just sufficiently strong to safely hold the 

 wall and roof covering and to prevent collapse of the building 

 from wind or snow and ice loads. Very often 2x4*5 or 4x4*5 

 constitute the studs or posts and no heavier stock is used 

 throughout the building. In wide sheds it may be found 



Nine 



