208 THE farmers' handbook. 



Top rails to be 4 inch x 3 inch set on flat } inch arrised on top corners fitted into 

 slotted heads of posts, and fastened as shown with No. 8 galvanised fence wire. The 

 lower rails to he ti inches x 1| inch in lengths of two panels, the butt joints broken as 

 indicated on drawing, and secured in posts with No. 8 wire crossed and twitched on 

 back of posts, and all rails to be spiked to each post ; no panel to exceed 9 feet in length. 



The sides of branding race, race to check pens, crush pen, and race and exit at sheep 

 dip to be close boarded the full height with 6-inch x 1-inch tongue and groove boards, 

 and their gates to be made of light tongued and grooved boarding as will be directed. 



All gates (other than those already specified) to be of the sizes indicated on plans 

 made of 3-inch x l£-inch styles, notched to receive 3-inch x 1-inch rails and braces, 

 bolted at each crossing with |-inch cuphead bolts, nuts and washers. Provide to each 

 sliding fastener to ride on a §-inch bolt, the end setting into a 4 inches long mortise in 

 gate post as will be directed. 



All gate timbers to be painted in the joints when being put together, with white lead 

 paint. 



All hinges to be 2 inches wide for 8 feet gates, and H inch x \ inch thick for others, 

 all 20 inches long, bolted to gates, and with suitable hooks to posts, the top hooks to 

 nut through. 



If so directed provide at closing post, stop to all gates. 



Dip and Draining Pens. 



Dig out to take 9-inch brickwork for the walls of dip to the dimensions shown, and 

 carefully refill behind brickwork as the walls are raised. Spread at sides, and to 

 draining pens all loose earth as may be directed, graded and packed tightly. 



Build dipping bath in 9-inch work, all set in cement mortar of three parts clean sharp 

 and one part Portland cement, mixed properly together and used fresh. 



All bricks to be well wetted as laid, the mortar joints not more than §-inch thick, 

 each course carefully grouted flush, the faces left rough for plastering, and all built in 

 old English bond. Pave floor of bath with brick on edge and of draining pens, either 

 with brick on flat, with brick on end borders, or approved cement concrete, and 

 properly graded to draining wells to dry the floors. 



Form draining wells 14 inches x 14 inches x 6 feet deep, and set in each £-inch thick 

 galvanised iron plates, well perforated with J-inch holes, set 2 inches below surface of 

 floor. Lay from these wells to bath as indicated 2-inch galvanised iron 22-inch gauge 

 pipe with good fall. 



Render with cement mortar as specified for brickwork the whole of the inside face of 

 bath, over the top and down to the ground level on outside, also floor of draining pens 

 with 2-inch thick, well-floated and trowelled, finished with smooth face ; all arrises to 

 be neatly camphered off. On the exit slope of bath floor lay cement cleats of 2-inch x 

 f -inch, shortened at ends, to all drainage, to run down as indicated on plan. 



The walls of draining pens to be set in between 9-inch round posts, 8 feet high, cut 

 off square on top and covered with tin or other approved weather covering. 



All rails where not mortised into posts to be neatly scarfed flush on inner face and 

 well spiked on. At exit gates from draining pens form brick-paved or timber slopes, 

 cleated for fcot-hold as may be directed. 



Sheep Yards and Dips. (Fig. 14.) 



The main idea embodied in these yards (actually erected at North Bangaroo 

 Stud Farm) is to provide ample room in the various subdivisions, to conserve 

 space where possible, to accelerate the free movement <>f the sheep, and to make 

 the whole structure fit in with the special requirements and design of the 

 shearing-shed. Wherever it has been possible to make a compartment fulfil 



