154 



FAEM BUILDINGS IN SOUTH AFBICA 



gear so that they may, when required, be lowered to the floor for 

 purposes of filling or emptying. 



Fig. 133. 



Keeping in view the above objects the following points remain for 

 consideration : — 



Site. — The site will probably be determined by the disposition of the 

 other buildings of the steading. 



If possible, it should be dry and moderately high, and should be 

 conveniently placed with regard to the other buildings, and in relation 

 to the supply of fodder, removal of manure, etc. 



The byre should also be placed so that the cattle can have easy 

 access to the nearest pasture, without opportunities for straying or 

 interfering with other stock. 



The byre should, if possible, be sheltered from cold winds. 



A site possessing a gentle slope assists drainage. 



The Walls. — The walls may be of stone, brick, concrete, wood, or 

 wood-and-iron, according to the material most cheaply available in the 

 district concerned, and the quality of building desired. The last two 

 are not so durable as the first three, and a wood-and-iron building is a 

 bad heat insulator, i.e. is hot in summer and cold in winter. 



If of stone the external walls should be 20 inches thick, and party 

 walls, if any, from 15 to 18 inches thick, the stones being laid on their 

 natural bed, i e. with the laminatious horizontal. 



If of brick, the walls should be at least one brick, or 9 inches thick. 



