226 HOW TO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY 



large part of the work could be done by forcing the 

 water into tiles, these being set on a slight slope and 

 so constructed as to let the water flow at stated 

 points. 



Among country home accessories the barn is about 

 as old as the house, and for some reason or other 

 it has remained just a barn a building to hold hay 

 and straw and without the least chance to please any- 

 thing excepting horses and cows. If it is comforta- 

 ble and decent it is held to be satisfactory. I do not 

 think that the coming country home will be satisfied 

 with anything of this sort. The barn may become 

 the center of attraction, not only on account of such 

 accessories as laboratory and shop, but owing to the 

 beauty of its structure and its fitness to all the other 

 buildings. A stable should be not only cleanly, but 

 capable of perfect ventilation, while every cow and 

 horse should have abundant light. There is no un- 

 conquerable reason why the windows should be cov- 

 ered with cobwebs and dust. 



A horse enjoys an occasional bath just as much as 

 a human being, if given with discretion and in the 

 warm sunshine. I have not gone so far as to give 

 the same privilege to my Jersey and Holstein grade, 

 but I see no reason why they would not welcome it. 

 Can you tell me why every American stable should 

 not be kept as clean as those in the dairy sections of 

 England, swept as cleanly as a house, and brushed to 

 prevent the accumulation of dust? The carriage and 

 wagon floors should certainly never be allowed to ac- 



