80 HANDY-BOOK OF HUSBANDRY. 



When cattle are kept at pasture, at least during the day-time in 

 summer, it should be a very good reason that induces a farmer to 

 so place his barn that he cannot have the yard on the vi^armest 

 and sunniest side of it. Ordinarily the coldest winds of winter 

 blow from the north and northwest, while the warmth of the 

 morning sun in winter falls best into nooks whose lookout is 

 toward the southeast. Therefore a southeast exposure is usually 

 the best. If there are to be several buildings, they should be so 

 arranged as to shelter the yard from the north and west. Shelter 

 from the east is not so important, but if it can be conveniently 

 procured it has a certain advantage if so arranged as to allow the 

 early morning sun to fall in the yard. A close fence, six or seven 

 feet high, would be better than a high building. When a shed is 

 to be used, it is a good plan to build the barn on the north side 

 and the shed on the west side of the yard. 



The barn-yard ought, always, to have sufficient slope for sur- 

 face drainage, but the wash should be collected in a pit or deep 

 pond hole at one side, and into this, straw, leaves, and muck may 

 be thrown to absorb the liquids reaching it. If cattle are to be 

 fed in the yard, and are expected to make manure of a large 

 amount of corn-fodder and straw, it is very well to have a nearly 

 level yard, with a slight depression in the center, and to give them 

 a dry footing by a profuse feeding of these materials, of which they 

 will consume the best parts, trampling the refuse under foot. Such 

 an accumulation properly composted during the summer will make 

 excellent manure for autumn use. 



No farmer, however, who has once learned the feeding value of 

 both corn-fodder and straw, when cut and mixed with other food, 

 will continue to waste them under the feet of his animals, unless he 

 is entirely careless of his own interest, or has a superabundance 

 of fodder that he cannot sell to advantage. By hook or by 

 crook, he will contrive, in some way, to make them available for 

 food. 



Whatever plan is pursued the surface of the barn-yard should 

 receive no water, save that which falls directly upon it from the 

 clouds. Surface gutters should protect it against the flow of 



