SHELTER FOR SHEEP SUMMER AND WINTER 331 



economical in roofing, as the one. roof serves the double pur- 

 pose of providing protection to the fodders in the upper 

 story and to the sheep in the lower. It is also economical 

 in foundation material and in other items of construction. 



The loft of such a building may be made to store a 

 large amount of food. The higher the posts or walls 

 that support the roof, the larger, of course, is the room 

 for storage. The food and litter in the same may all be 

 stored by the aid of a horsefork or a sling. When storing 

 these, the aim should be to locate each kind, as far as this 

 may be practicable, directly above the pens where the 

 same is to be fed. 



The convenience in feeding fodders from such a loft 

 will be at once apparent. The food is always dry, regard- 

 less of the character of the weather, and the same is true 

 of the litter. It does not require to be drawn from day to 

 day or at intervals. The forking is downward and, there- 

 fore, it is easily done. When the food is to be drawn from 

 time to time there is not only a loss of time involved, but 

 exposure may be called for that is irksome to the work- 

 hands. A two-story shed does not necessarily mean a 

 building located against a bank. It may be built on the 

 level prairie as well as against the side of a hill. It may 

 be built entirely of wood or other material. Materials 

 other than wood for the lower story may keep out the 

 cold more effectively than wood, but good siding and 

 one thickness of tar paper will keep a sheep house amply 

 warm, save for new-born lambs in a cold climate. Such a 

 structure does not necessarily call for a driveway into the 

 upper story, as the food is lifted by machinery. 



Whether a sheep house should be built against a 

 bank under any conditions is a disputed question. If 

 such a basement can be made to secure freedom from 

 dampness and also from an undue lack of light, there 

 should be no objection to it. It is quite possible in many 

 instances to secure both. Such a basement may also 

 bring with it the following advantages: (i) It may be 



