FARM BUILDINGS. 311 



use of the stoutest goad. There is also a waste of the hay 

 that falls while the cattle are feeding, and this is largely 

 increased in muddy yards ; added to which, the animals are 

 exposed to whatever bad weather there may be while 

 eating, which is at all times to be deprecated. 



SHEDS. 



Feeding in sheds is far better, and in many instances may 

 take the place of the stall or stable. They are frequently 

 and very properly arranged on two sides of the cattle yard, 

 the barn forming a third, and the fourth opening to the south, 

 unless this is exposed to the prevailing winds. This ar- 

 rangement forms a good protection for the cattle ; and con- 

 necting the sheds with the barn is of importance in econo- 

 mizing the labor in foddering. The racks or boxes are 

 placed on the boarded side of the shed, which forms the 

 outer side of the yard, and they are filled from the floor over- 

 head. If the space above is not sufficient to contain the 

 necessary quantity of fodder, it may be taken from the mows 

 or scaffolds of the barn, and carried or dragged over the 

 floor to the place wanted. The floors ought to be perfectly 

 tight to avoid waste, and the sifting of the particles of hay 

 or seed on the cattle and sheep. 



Unless the ground under the shed be quite dry, it is better 

 to plank it, and it will then admit of cleaning with the same 

 facility as the stables. A portion of the shed may be par- 

 titioned off for close or open stalls, for colts, calves or infirm 

 cattle, and cows or ewes that are heavy with young. A 

 little attention of this kind, will frequently save the life of an 

 animal, and add much to their comfort and the general econo- 

 my of farm management. 8?he surplus straw, corn-stalks, 

 and coarse hay can be used for bedding, though it is gener- 

 ally preferable to have them cut and fed to the cattle. 



WATER FOR THE CATTLE YARD 



Is an important item, and if the expense of driving the 

 animals to a remote watering place, the waste of manure 

 thereby occasioned, the straying of cattle, and sometimes 

 loss of limbs or other injury resulting from their being 

 forced down icy slopes or through excessive mud, to slake 

 their thirst if all these considerations are taken into account, 

 they will be found annually to go far towards the expense 

 of supplying water in the yard, where it would at all times 

 be accessible. All animals require water in winter, except 



