POULTRT-CRAFT. 51 



In making plans a few simple rules, which may well be called axioms, 

 should be observed : 



(i.) Permanent quarters for stock should be on the ground floor. Second 

 floor space may be used for temporary quarters for surplus stock, for 

 fitting exhibition birds, for storage, etc. ; but not much second floor 

 space is needed. 



(2.) Walls should be perpendicular. A sloping front is a bad fault. 

 (3.) A house should be as high as necessary to accommodate those work- 

 ing in it ; but not higher. Additional height increases the cost of the 

 house, and increases the difficulty of regulating the temperature. 

 Ventilators are not needed. A poultry house can be aired just as a 

 dwelling house is by opening doors and windows as much or as little as the 

 weather conditions require. 



Buying Materials. Lumber ordered should be of such lengths that there 

 will be the least possible waste in using it. It is safest to order a little more 

 than is needed. This insures against delays from shortages of material. 

 What is not used can usually, if purchased of a local dealer, be returned. If 

 not returnable it should be stored away for the time sure to come when 

 it will be needed. Refuse to accept any and every piece of dimension lumber 

 that is not straight, free from bad knots, and of the full length required. See 

 to it that the sheathing delivered is of full surface measure. In estimating 

 the amount of matched flooring, or lapped siding, needed to cover a given 

 surface, make allowance for matching, or lapping, by adding one-fifth to the 

 surface measure. Shingles of good quality are cheapest at first cost, as well 

 as in the long run. The builders' rule is a thousand shingles laid 4 in. to the 

 weather, to the square (100 sq. ft.) If the sheathing on poultry house roofs 

 is laid close, and a thin sheathing paper used under the shingles, shingles may 

 be laid 4^ or 5 in. to the weather. On the sides of buildings they may be 

 5 or 6 in. to the weather. Taking both sides and roof into consideration, 

 a safe estimate for shingles will be, a thousand to every 120 sq. ft. 



Prepared Roojing Papers. These vary in quality. Those advertised 

 especially for poultry and farm buildings, are the best. Common tarred 

 sheathing paper is not suitable for exterior use. Tarred felt may be used 

 outside, and if protected with a coat of tar will last for some time, but is very 

 much inferior to the specially prepared papers. Though the best papers are 

 not as good as shingles, they are a boon to poultrymen with small capital ; 

 properly put on and regularly painted, they last a ] ong time, and at first cost 

 are much cheaper than shingles. Paper can also be used to cover old 

 buildings not suitable for shingling. Dealers in builders' supplies generally 

 carry stocks of roofing papers. Sometimes people hesitate to buy the special 

 brand they want because the local dealer does not keep it, and the factory 

 is so far away that freight would add too much to the cost. Manufacturers 

 usually have distributing agents in different sections. Write to headquarters 



