220 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



buildings there has been less written, leaving a greater want 

 with the public, which is an excuse for having gone into the 

 matter in more detail. 



CONCLUSION. 



Neither for looks nor convenience is it desn-able that the 

 farmer should surround his premises with a multiplicity of 

 small buildings. With a farm-house and barn built with refer- 

 ence to covering all wants, the necessity for a multiplicity of ^ 

 small buildings, small yards and small lots, is obviated. The 

 amount of mechanical appliances to increase man's laboring pow- 

 ers has greatly increased within a few years, and is still increas- 

 ing ; and to facilitate their use on the farm, it is desirable to do 

 away with small lots and short corners. The one indicates 

 contraction of thought and action, and the other a generous 

 expansion of both. 



A discussion followed upon some of the points suggested in 

 the Essay, and many interesting facts and statements were 

 elicited. 



Mr. Homer said that it was better that horse-stalls should be 

 so arranged that the pitch should be towards the manger. The 

 horse should stand so as to bring the most of his weight upon 

 his fore legs. 



Mr. TiDD said that pains should be taken in the cow-stalls 

 not to get the platform too long. The trouble of taking care of 

 a stock of cattle would be increased by having a platform longer 

 than was needed. 



Mr. Thompson had constructed many barns in which many of 

 these points had been carefully considered. As to the length 

 of the platform for cows, it should be from four feet to four feet 

 six inches, for cows of ordinary size. 



Mr. Lathrop said that the platform for oxen should be six 

 feet long. He would never use stanchions, as he did not 

 consider them well adapted to secure the ease and comfort of 

 stock, 



Mr. Moore stated that the dairy farmers of Middlesex County 

 were changing their mode of tying from chains to stanchions, 

 •on account of the greater cleanliness of the animals in them. 

 Customers were apt to find the milk of cows tied so as to be 



