FIRST LESSONS IN POULTRY KEEPING. 83 



properly Used (and with plenty of scratching material) will not meet also. The windows are 

 intended to be open every day in the year. If it snows, slip in the cloth covered frames 

 described, but give the fowls fresh air at any and all times day and nigh-t through their cur- 

 tains, and don't have a droppings board six inches from their noses. 



Note: Our healthiest and best layers }ast winter, when the thermometer went to 20 below- 

 zero on several occasions, were housed without using a single square of glass, just the two sets 

 of curtains. If this be true in this latitude it should be in almost any. 



Materials. 



The following is a list of materials required , with prices : 



3 pieces 2 x 4 22 ft. long for rafters, 44 sq. ft. makes 2 each. 



8 pieces 2 x 3 10 ft. long for studs, 40 sq. ft. front and rear stud each. 



S4 sq. ft., $20 M., $1 68 



16 cedar posts, 2 ft. long, 75 



500 sq. ft. 12 ft. boards, $17 M., 8 50 



4 windows, 6 light 10 x 14 glass, 60c. each, 2 40 



Nails, hinges, etc., 90 



1 roll sheathing paper, 500 sq. ft., 1 00 



1 roll red rope roofing paper, 500 sq. ft., 5 00 



Total, $20 23 



J* 



In the matter of roofing material opinions differ widely; some would prefer to use a more 

 expensive material than the above. In that case a lighter weight can be used for the sides than 

 for roof, which will effect a saving in the class of material referred to, which runs from $1.75 

 for one-half ply to $3.25 for four ply per square of 100 ft. The red rope, however, will last 

 several years, properly laid, and if painted will last longer. 



We have then a house for 25 fowls costing little more than $20 for material, which is "good 

 enough" for the purpose, and fulfills all the requisites cited in the beginning of this article. 



My first criticism on this house plan would be as to dimensions of the floor. If we admit as 

 correct the proposition laid down in Lesson VIII., that the floor should be as nearly square as 

 possible, the house 10 ft. wide by 15 ft. long is getting a little too far away from our standard. 



Under some circumstances I would criticise the form of the roof, but in a house as narrow as 

 this the objections which may sometimes be made to a single pitched roof with northern 

 exposure lose much of their force; and though observation of houses I used myself has seemed 

 to indicate to me that as a general rule a double pitch roof was more satisfactory, I would not 

 care to dogmatize on that point, and have my judgment on it judged by the experiences of 

 others, because points like that are difficult to determine beyond doubt. 



One thing, however, should be emphasized : Whoever adopts this plan must consider the 

 effect before making changes in the dimensions. Mr. Pattison figured out dimensions that keep 

 him clear of faults which would be pronounced in a house of the same style with some other 

 dimensions. If such a house is made 12 ft. wide, the front wall must be higher, or the rear 

 wall lower, or both, and the rafters for a single stretch of roof become longer than is advisable 

 for a roof with no supports under it. 



The enclosed roosting box I would consider unnecessary, except perhaps to protect large 

 combs, and I am not sure that it is necessary for that for fowls that are thoroughly rugged. 



Another Maine Poultry House. 



Martin Ryan, Baring, Me. 



Although In this plan there may be nothing new, for a plain substantial poultry house that is 

 warm, dry, and light, there is nothing better. The plan is for a house 12 x 16 ft., but it can be 



