BARNS. 411 



more of this ingredient than the same grain grown on the same spot of ground 

 with cominon barn-yard manure. Accounts from Europe show also that experi- 

 ments with bones treated with sulphuric acid according to the recipes given, by 

 which the phosphates are rendered soluble and therefore more immediately 

 available to the plant than in bone-dust alone, have resulted ia most surprising 

 crops of fine and full-looking grain. 



But the experiment has not yet been carried forward there by contrasting the 

 fattening of stock with this grain, and with that grown under the influence of 

 common manure. Is'or have they yet continued it by contrasting the quantity 

 of the [thosphates in the grain of one year's growtji, with that in the grain 

 arising from this same seed sown the second and ihird years. It is far from im- 

 probable tiiat treatment with superphosphate of lime (bones and sulphuric acid), 

 or with guano, may, to a certain extent, add something each season to these 

 valuable ingredients of food. This consequence theory shows to be of vast im- 

 portance. With respect to the practical proof of this theory by the fattening of 

 animals, 1 can only state that a kw experiments made here with roots grown 

 on guano soil have been attended with great success; much more, however, 

 remains to be done before its value can be i'ully estimated. 



What effect may be produced by such phosphated food on the milk, the 

 butter, the flavor and quality of the meat, or the strength of bone and muscle, 

 of course I cannot answer. My opinion is favorable toward the experiment, 

 and the chief object of this communication is to call the attention of agricul- 

 turists to the subject in order that these experiments may be made carefully 



the ensuing spring. With respect, yours, J. E. TKSCHliMACHER. 



Boston, V-Mi Feb., 1847. 



BARNS. 



PLAN AND DISSERTATION ON THE BEST SORT OF BARN UNDER GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCK3. 

 J. S. Skinner, Esq. Charlestown, Jefferson Co. Va., Jan. 4, 1847. 



Dear Sir: In this day of improvement and investigation, I hope it will not 

 be thought amiss to ask the favor of you to solicit a strict comparison between 

 the different kinds of barns — embracing the items of cost, convenience and utility ; 

 viewed as a house for stock and shelter for grain, hay, straw, ice. ficc. Some 

 prefer the four-sided barn, with stabling beneath, having but one front ; others 

 the eight-faced barn, with stabling beneath, with a door and distinct yard to 

 each or at least to seven fronts, thereby being able to keep separate as many 

 different kinds of stock. 



It is urged in favor of the four-sided barn, that it is more simple in construc- 

 tion, particularly in the roof, and consequently cheaper, and that it can be ex- 

 tended to any required size by adding to its length. This is conceded ; but the 

 object in view is to ascertain whether an eight-faced barn cannot be built of a 

 size sufficient to accommodate 8 horses and 8 cows, 40 hogs, 2 or 3 colts, and as 

 many calves, and still retaining an area (circular), in the center, of 30 or 35 feet 

 in diameter, to hold the various kinds ol' food for the stock that occupy the sur- 

 rounding stables. The next story to have a similar area in the center for thresh- 

 ing and cleaning grain with the surrounding space for granaries, stacking grain, 

 &c., and also over-head, and if the building be IS or 20 feet to the plates, would 

 it not hold, in the straw, 1,200 or 1,500 bushels of wheat? and whether that 

 quantity of grain can be packed away and then brought to a machine in the cen- 

 ter as conveniently, or more so, in an eight-sided barn than in a four-sided one? 



I understand both kinds are built at the North, and if some gentleman ac- 

 quainted with both will favor the readers of your valuable periodical with the 

 pros and cons, and the exact dimensions and arrangements of the most approved 

 eight-sided barn, and also of the most approved four-sided one of equal capacity, 

 together Avith the cost of each, he will confer a real favor on a community that 

 is too apt to act without due deliberation even in the very important business of 



barn-building. I am most respectfully yours, (fcc. .\ Farmer. 



^W Aud the Publishers of The Far.mers' Library and Monthly .Journal of Agri 



CULTURE will jave their two volumes, eleg.-uilly bound, as a token of thanks for the best 



drawing and dissertation, to meet the views of the writer. \_Ed. Farm. Lib. 



1843) 



