Seo. 16.] 



THE BAR}f AND ITS APPURTENAXCES. 



303 



outer wall, by means of brackets, so as to form a shed over the doors, and 

 the manure thrown out of the stable and ])iled against the wall. 



In the barn mentioned there is a granary projecting into the circle of tlie 

 bay, which we do not exactly approve, preferring the granary in a separate 

 buikling, to which grain may be conveyed through spouts, if the barn is 

 located \ipon the hillside, which is preferable on account of entering tiie 

 threshing-floor on a level, though that is not indispensable, as a wagou-way 

 can be graded up from a level plat. 



322. Darn Foundations. — Tlic stone foundation of a barn should never be 

 laid in mortar. Tliis is an error that should be avoided, as unnecessary and 

 unprofitable. It would be even better to place the sills upon pillars, leaving 

 a free circulation, and space high enough to furnish siielter for all the 

 poultry in winter, and thus keep them out of the inside of the barn, where 

 they are a nuisance. Tlie main object, however, is to give free circulation 

 of tlie air, to drive out all foul gases, and promote the health of animals. 

 The surface must be so graded that no water will stand under the barn. 



323. Opinions of Practical Farmers about Barns.— At a Farmers' Club in 

 "West Springtield, Mass., after euiisultatioii and debate, it was decided that a 

 large barn was better than two or more small ones ; tliat a tight barn was 

 better, even for badly-cured hay, than an open one ; that a brick barn and a 

 slate roof were the best and cheapest for a man who has all his materials to 

 buy ; that a good connection between a house and barn is a covered walk, 

 overhung with grapevines ; that economy of roof and convenience for work 

 were of the first iinportaiico in any building ; that warm water and warm 

 stables were essential to the comfort of animals ; that the housing of manures 

 was judicious ; that liquid manures are largely lost, even by tliose who 

 have cellars and sheds for storing them ; and that the best absorbents of 

 liquid manure are buckwheat hulls, Jeaf mold, sawdust, fine sand, dried 

 peat, turf, and straw. 



The meeting was held at the house of one of the members — an old-fash- 

 ioned two-story building — with modem furniture and fixtures, where the 

 well-spread tables were bountifully loaded with fat cliickens,'mcaly potatoes, 

 light bread, yellow butter, melting cheese, with pies and cake to match, 

 all lavishly bestowed, and such conversation ensued as would, if it could 

 be imitated ia every neighborhood, prove of great benefit to tlie people. 

 Let the plan be imitated. If not the jdan of Ihc barn, certainly the i)lan of 

 meeting with your neighbors, and talking over the subject, as to whether 

 you shall build a large or small barn, and of what materials. It is al.-o 

 very important to every one about to build, to go about, far and near, and 

 look at all the barns of various sizes, forms, and fashions, and talk about 

 their conveniences and the reverse. 



324. Darns Boanlrd Tislit or Open.— Whether barns should be tight is one 

 of the most important (piestions that a farmer can consider; for it may 

 involve the health and lives of all his farm stock. It is contended by some 

 writers, with a good deal of reason, that open barns are more healtliy lor 



