296 The Farmstead 



this heating, ascends to the roof or cupola 

 and forms an easier passage to the earth for 

 electrical discharges than the normal air of the 

 building does. Thunder storms prevail largely 

 about the time barns are filled, hence they 

 should be provided with good lightning rods, that 

 an easier and safer way may be provided for the 

 discharges than by the ascending warm, moist 

 air of the building. (See lightning rods. Chap. 

 XX.) 



Barns not more than sixty feet wide may be 

 covered by self-supporting roofs. The curb or 

 gambrel form is the best. If the gables are 

 clipped, the cost will not be materially increased, 

 while the structure will be much improved in 

 looks. Barns should have strong, wide, pro- 

 jecting roofs ; a few extra rows of shingles at 

 the eaves will serve to protect the outside cover- 

 ing and the framework, and will improve the 

 looks of the structure. Should it be decided to 

 paint the barn, an ample projection will greatly 

 reduce the expense of keeping the paint present- 

 able. Financially speaking, it does not pay to 

 paint the barn unless the boarding is placed 

 horizontally. The boarding of many unpainted 

 barns is still in a good state of preservation, 

 although they were built more than three- 

 fourths of a century ago, and had roofs projecting 

 but a few inches over sides and ends. Pro- 



