PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION 



" Farm Building Construction " is a subject of prime importance, 

 especially in a country like South Africa, much of which has been 

 settled in comparatively recent years, and it rightly occupies an out- 

 standing place in the syllabuses of the Agricultural Colleges of the Union 

 of South Africa. 



In writing this book the author has endeavoured to keep in view the 

 needs of farmers, as well as those of agricultural students and teachers. 

 The work, it is hoped, may also prove useful to builders, and may apply, 

 to a great extent, to other countries with a climate similar to that of South 

 Africa. The appendix is inserted chiefly for the purpose of completing 

 the work from the point of view of lecturers, and of advanced students 

 reading for the degree of B.Sc. in Agriculture of the Cape University. 



The author has to thank the following gentlemen for information and 

 willing assistance : Messrs. F. B. Smith, Secretary for Agriculture, Union 

 of South Africa ; Alex. Holm, Under Secretary for Agriculture, Union of 

 South Africa ; E. E. Downing, Eosetta, Natal ; Jas. J. McColl, Govern- 

 ment Wool Expert, Natal ; and the following members of the Staff of the 

 School of Agriculture, Potchefstroom : E. J. Macmillan, B.S.A., Principal ; 

 E. Holmes Smith, B.Sc. (Edin.), Lecturer in Botany ; J. B. Fisher, N.D.D., 

 Lecturer in Dairying ; and G. E. Peschel, late Instructor in Carpentry. 



The publications of the following firms have also been drawn upon : 

 Messrs. White's South African Cement Co., Ltd., description and illustra- 

 tions of reinforced concrete fencing ; Messrs. Young and Co. , Westminster, 

 London, cow-byre fittings ; Messrs. the Louden Machinery Co., Iowa, 

 U.S.A., Litter Carriers; Messrs. John Wallace and Sons, Ltd., Graham 

 Square, Glasgow, liquid manure pump. 



In writing the chapter on cement concrete, " Concrete, Plain and 

 Reinforced," by Taylor and Thompson, has been referred to, 



W. S. H. CLEGHOENE. 



