6 WISCONSIN BULLETIN 266 



The best arguments for the round barn are : 



(1) As a greater area can be enclosed by a circle than by a 

 rectangle of the same wall length, it is cheaper to enclose a 

 given floor area by a circular than by a rectangular wall, 

 (Figure 1); (2) Circular construction is claimed to be stronger 

 and to give greater convenience. 



Some of the objections to the round barn and the ad- 

 vantages claimed for rectangular construction are: 



(1) In a round barn the silo must, for convenience in feed- 

 ing and for roof support, be located in the center. This loca- 



AREA 

 TOTAL WALL LENGTH Za 9' 



FIG. 1. MORE AREA ENCLOSED BY CIRCULAR THAN BY RECTANGU- 

 LAR WALL 



Because a circular wall will enclose more area than a rectangular wall of the same 

 length it is cheaper, from the standpoint of area enclosed, to build a round -barn. 



tion is inconvenient for filling, and unless care is taken in 

 keeping silage cleaned up the odor from it is objectionable; 

 (2) Unless designed for a dairy barn and all interior arrange- 

 ments are circular in form, there is much waste space. A 

 certain sacrifice of stable and hay-mow-room is made by 

 locating the silo in the barn; (3) As the hay must be unloaded 

 inside a barn bridge leading to the second floor is required. 

 Barn bridges are not always convenient and much space is 

 wasted from the floor to the roof where hay is drawn up; 

 (4) The center of the barn is poorly lighted which in a dairy 

 barn is a very objectionable point; (5) The construction of 

 a round barn prohibits the economic use of rafters for if they 

 are placed the proper distance apart at the plate they are too 

 close at the top; and (6) There is considerable difficulty in 

 securing carpenters experienced in round barn construction; 

 (7) It is more difficult to secure proper ventilation in a 

 round than a rectangular barn, 



