STABLE CONSTRUCTION AND FITTINGS. 47 



Arrangcme7it. — Echelon lines are the ideal arrangement, but the site at Arrange- 

 disposal rarely allows the extensive frontage this requires, and parallel ment. 

 lines are almost as good. Either of these plans admits of each stdble 

 or row of stables getting a free supply of air and light, which is the 

 point desired. Small squares or enclosures are the worst models, as 

 offering less perfect air supply, and greater chance of contagion when 

 any form of sickness is prevalent. 



Walls should be at least twelve feet high to the spring of the roof, one Walls, 

 and a half to two bricks thick, and damp proof. This latter condition 

 is fulfilled by (i) a water-proof course of asphalt, or layer of vitrified 

 brick, introduced in the wall a little above the ground level, or (2) by 

 double walls with a space between. This space is liable to become a 

 refuge for vermin, but affords good protection against damp from rain 

 beatmg on exposed faces. Bricks measure 9 inches x 4^ inches x 

 2| inches, are extremely porous, and will hold nearly a pint of water. 



Roofs are flat or sloping. Flat roofs are found only when living rooms Roofs, 

 or lofts are built overhead. They must be air-tight, to prevent the escape 

 of heated, loul air from the stable into the rooms above, and they offer 

 no means of natural roof ventilation. 



Sloping roofs without overhead rooms are by far the best, as their Sloping 

 construction secures air space and light, besides admitting of ample roots, 

 natural roof ventilation. 



Maidrials for 7'oofs : — ■ ]\Taterials 



(i) Tiles, either flat or pantiles, maintain an equal temperature and for roofs, 

 afford roof ventilation, but are easily broken or loosened and 

 become untidy and leaky. 



(2) Slates are fixed to the woodwork of the roof by two nails driven 



through each, and are not easily displaced, but they are as 

 liable to breakage as tiles. Both tiles and slates make excel- 

 lent roofs if kept in good repair and they should have an under 

 roofing of boards. 



(3) Stone flakes are substituted for slates in some districts where stone 



is abundant, but are very heavy, clumsy and not to be 

 recommended. 



(4) Thatched and tarred felt roofs are to be rejected on account ot 



their liability to fire, which is a fatal objection, though they have 

 the advantage of being noiseless, and warm in cold climates. 



(5) Galvanized iron is baking in hot weather and freezing in cold ; it 



is also excessively noisy, but it is cheap, no trouble, and easily 

 transported, so that it is in general use in recently developed 

 countries or localities, where, in spite of its drawbacks, it is very 



