THE YARD 335 



The manure should, if possible, be stored at a distance from the 

 stable-yard, and removed by a small covered cart, or barrow, as collected 

 daily or more often from the stalls. The manure-pit should always have 

 a solid concrete bottom, and be roofed over, and every precaution should 

 be taken to prevent liquids from penetrating the soil, for they often travel 

 underground for a great distance, and may pollute wells supposed to be 

 quite beyond their influence. The London by-laws relating to the con- 

 struction and maintenance of receptacles for dung may be thus sum- 

 marized: 1. The capacity must not be greater than 2 cubic yards. 

 2. The bottom or floor must not be lower than the surface of the adjacent 

 yard. 3. The. contents must not be allowed to escape, and there must not 

 be any soakage from the receptacle into the ground, or into the wall of the 

 building. 4. Eain and surface water must be excluded in such a manner 

 that the receptacle is freely ventilated into the external air. 5. If the 

 contents are removed at least once in every forty-eight hours, the capacity 

 may be greater than 2 cubic yards, and a metal cage may be used, the 

 ground under the cage to be. properly paved to prevent soakage into the 

 ground, and any wall, "near to or against" which the cage is placed, to 

 be adequately cemented to prevent soakage into the wall. 



It will also be necessary to provide suitable latrines for the stable 

 attendants. Water - closets should be used if the supply of water is 

 abundant, but earth-closets of a good type and properly attended to are 

 also satisfactory. If a pit, or receptacle, is required, the bottom and 

 sides should be made water-tight, and the pit should admit of being 

 easily and frequently cleaned. 



Much advantage will be found from having at least a portion of the 

 yard covered in, and some very comfortable yards are entirely so, but 

 in these sufficient provision should be made for allowing a free circulation 

 of air at the sides, care being taken, should the situation be exposed, 

 that in high winds the air has a sufficient escape in several directions, 

 so as to avoid any risk of the roof being lifted. 



Convenient, but not too close to the coach-house doors, there should 

 be a proper carriage-washing Stand, arranged with a sufficient fall to 

 a gully, Newton's medium size being very suitable. The washing-place 

 should be not too far from the horse -washing stand, or shed, so that 

 the hose and attachment for washing the horses can also be within reach 

 for the carriages. Of course, if the number of horses is large, it may be 

 desirable to have a separate water - supply and hose for the carriages. 

 Besides the hose attachment there should be a tap at the proper height 

 for filling buckets for the stable use, even if, as in the best stables, the 

 water is laid on direct to each stall. 



