182 FAEM BUILDINGS IN SOUTH AFRICA 



of trees, this method of feeding would be desirable; but a 

 horse does not feed like a giraffe. 



3. The horse may suffer injury to his eyes by getting dust, seeds, 

 etc., into them. 



Lofts are common in towns, where ground space is valuable. On the 

 farm, however, and in view of the fine climate enjoyed by this country, 

 it seems scarcely necessary to provide such complete shelter for forage 

 as is afforded by a loft ; in this case the provision of a chaff and forage 

 room adjoining the stable as already mentioned, with a Dutch barn or 

 stack near at hand, forms probably the best arrangement. The Dutch 

 barn should, of course, be conveniently situated to the cow-byre, forming 

 a common storage place for both byre and stable. 



Corrugated iron is in general use in South Africa as a roof covering. 

 It, however, possesses the fault of being a good conductor of heat, causing 

 the building covered by it to be unduly warm in summer and cold in 

 winter. The presence of a loft above a stable has considerable influence 

 in counteracting this fault, rendering the temperature of the stable more 

 equable. In the absence of a loft, some other method of reducing the 

 range of temperature in the stable should be employed. Thus close 

 boarding may be nailed on top of the rafters, and a layer of felt placed 

 between it and the iron roof-covering. This does not reduce the cubic 

 air capacity of the stable by such an amount as would be done by the 

 provision of a ceiling. 



The roof should be high so as to remove the corrugated iron from close 

 proximity to the animals. This is especially necessary if the use of heat 

 insulation, such as the close-boarding and felt mentioned, be dispensed 

 with. If the iron is too close to them, the horses are alternately over- 

 heated and chilled. A double-slope roof is better than a flat one in this 

 respect, and (assuming there is no loft or ceiling) it also cheaply provides 

 a large cubic air-space per horse. 



Doors, etc. — Doors of loose-boxes and stables should open to the 

 outside. This ensures a ready egress for the horses in case of 

 fire, and is convenient when boxes are being cleaned out. 



Stable doors should not be less than 4 feet wide, and 7 feet high 

 in the clear, though a height of 7' 6" is preferable. They 

 may be constructed as described in Chapter X. (Fig. 99), with upper 

 and lower portions, which can be opened and closed independently of 

 each other. 



