310 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



is not unlike many southern barns ; though these are more 

 frequently made much wider, with the centre enclosed for 



FIG. 103. 



holding the grain and fodder. The roofs projecting far out 

 on either side, furnish shelter for the mules, horses and oxen. 



Saving all tke manure is one of the most important 

 considerations in the arrangement of the barns, sheds and 

 yards. The stables should have drains, that will carry off 

 the liquid evacuations to a muck-heap or tank, and whatever 

 manure is thrown out, should be carefully protected. The 

 manure contains the future crops of the farmer, and unless 

 he is willing to forego the latter, he must carefully husband 

 the former. A low roof, projecting several feet over the ma- 

 nure which is thrown from the stables, will do much to 

 prevent waste from sun and rains. The eaves must be 

 supplied with tight troughs to carry off the water, which 

 may all be saved for the use of the stock, by leading it into 

 tight cisterns or reservoirs. 



The mangers ought to be so constructed as to econo- 

 mize the fodder. Box-feeding for cattle, I prefer, as in 

 addition to hay, roots and meal may be fed in them without 

 loss ; and with over-ripe hay, a great deal of seed may in 

 this way be saved, which will diminish the quantity neces- 

 sary to be purchased for sowing. The fine leaves and small 

 fragments of hay are thus kept from waste, which in racks, 

 are generally lost by falling on the floor. E,acks are objec- 

 tionable, unless provided with a shallow box underneath, 

 and they are especially to be avoided in foddering: in tho 

 open yards. There is a loss in dragging the forage to them , 

 and too often this is done near a herd of hungry cattie, that 

 gore each other, and are scarcely to be kept at bay by the 



