DAIRY AND GENERAL 



of stone they are usually 18 to 24 inches thick. 



An all fireproof barn is of doubtful value. The hay and 

 straw, stored in the haymow, are of such a character that 

 the great heat in case of fire would be likely to cause the 

 solid wall or roof to crack on the explosion of the gas gen- 

 erated from the fire. There is no doubt, however, of the 

 value of a fireproof basement. Such a construction is within 

 the reach of any man who can afford to put $4,000 into a 

 barn. 



Protect Against Lightning. 



Barns are less likely to be damaged by lightning if rods 

 are used. Investigations by the farmers' mutual fire insur- 

 ance companies prove that the damage to rodded barns by 

 lightning is low in comparison with the damage to unrodded 

 barns. Many reports on the use of the lightning rod show 

 that it is from 80 to 99 per cent efficient on farm buildings. 



Iron and copper or combinations of the two are the com- 

 mercial materials available for lightning rods. Both of these 

 materials give equal satisfaction. The important points in 

 selecting and installing the lightning rod are: 



(i) Do not use insulators. Fasten the rod directly to 

 the building; (2) The rod should be made of a material 

 which will resist the action of weather and soil; (3) Joints 

 must be rigid and permanent. Screw joints are considered 

 best; (4) Earth connections should be made to a point of 

 permanent moisture; (5) Terminals must be rigid, well sup- 

 ported and should be made of solid material; (6) Terminals 

 are placed at distances of about 25 feet, on ventilators, silos 

 and chimneys ; (7) All metallic parts on the surface of the 

 barn should be connected with the rod. The lower inside 

 end should be connected with the earth. For example, a 

 wind mill placed on top the barn should be connected with 

 the lightning rods on the outside and grounded to the earth 

 on the inside. 



A barn, in fact all farm buildings, are inadequately pro- 

 tected from fire. Some type of a water supply system which 

 would also furnish a supply for the house ought to be pro- 

 vided for fire protection. A tank placed in the haymow or a 

 pressure tank located in a separate building would be cheap 

 fire insurance. 



Strength Important in Barn Framing. 



The plank frame type of construction is most generally 

 used at the present time. The old timber frame type of con- 



Twenty-two 



