DAIRY AND GENERAL 



In the past, barn framing has been done by "rule of 

 thumb." In order to save material and to insure the neces- 

 sary rigidity of the structure, more attention is now being 

 given to the strength of materials and to matters of design. 



Fig. 1. Plank Frame Construction Reduces the Lumber Bill. 



In building a farm barn it is important that the cost be kept as low as 

 possible without sacrificing comfort, convenience or strength. 



Build to Meet Future Needs 



A barn should not be built just large enough to accom- 

 modate the stock on the farm at the time of its building. A 

 good manager considers his farm as a factory and expects 

 to work his "plant" to its maximum economic capacity. The 

 barn is an important part of the farm factory plant and 

 should be large enough to accommodate all the animals the 

 manager can care for efficiently. The size can be deter- 

 mined only after a careful study of the number of acres in 

 the farm and the quality of stock. 



Over capitalization is perhaps as poor a policy as under 

 capitalization. But the dairy farmer, especially, can afford 

 to have a substantial, well arranged, well lighted, and well 

 ventilated building. 



Build on Well Drained Site. 



The first essential of a barn site is proper drainage. 

 With basement barns it is difficult to obtain perfect drain- 



Four 



