FARM STRUCTURES 475 



satisfactory. Hollow clay building blocks, when such mate- 

 rial of good quality can be readily obtained, make a very 

 desirable wall for the implement house. Blocks are much 

 cheaper than brick and more wall can be laid in a given time. 



One advantage of the masonry walls is that they are more 

 nearly dust-proof than a single-board wall, and the imple- 

 ments they protect will present a better appearance at all 

 times. This feature is of little advantage except in the care 

 of the buggies or carriages. If a good, tight wall be provided, 

 it will not be necessary to cover the vehicles with a cloth, as 

 is practiced by many who take pride in the appearance of 

 their turnouts. 



The Roof. The roof can well be made of an assortment 

 of materials. Roofing boards with battens make a good, 

 cheap roof for a narrow building, especially those with the 

 roof sloping one way only. A shingle roof, of at least one- 

 third pitch and of a good quality of cedar or cypress shingles, 

 is quite satisfactory, but is not nearly as dust-proof as some 

 of the other forms of construction. A layer of building paper 

 over the sheathing, as commonly used in house construc- 

 tion, would improve it in this respect. Prepared roofing 

 makes a very desirable roof for an implement house, as it is 

 perfectly tight and when a good quality is used its durability 

 will compare favorably with shingles. Care should be 

 taken to make the walls tight between the roof and the plate, 

 where it is desired to have a dust-proof building. 



The Framework. The framing of an implement house 

 is not difficult. If a gable roof is used, 2x4 rafters placed 

 two feet on center will be sufficient for a building 16 feet wide, 

 if given at least one-third pitch. If the house has a shed roof, 

 2x4 rafters will be sufficient for a 12-foot span with a one- 

 third pitch. A wider building should have 2x6 rafters, if the 

 building is to retain its shape. If the house is to have a sec- 



