WINTER MANAGEMENT. 255 



every sheep-farmer to build commodious barns for the recep- 

 tion of his provender. That they will reimburse their ex- 

 pense in a few years, by the saving of hay, and the better 

 order of the flock can be sustained from the improved quality 

 of the hay, all who have had the opportunity to judge, will 

 at once testify. 



The construction of barns, as with dwellings, will always 

 vary, depending on the taste and means of the proprietor. 

 Where the climate is severe, and subject to considerable 

 depth of snow, making it difficult at times to travel a distance 

 to the sheep-folds, a large barn capable of sheltering all the 

 sheep, as well as their provender, is certainly desirable, and 

 would be preferred to several, especially if placed remotely 

 from each other. But it is a question, however, whether 

 the extra time consumed in carting the hay to fill one of 

 these mammoth barns will not more than overbalance this 

 inconvenience. Again, in case of conflagration by lightning, 

 which, if ever, is almost always after being filled with hay, 

 the loss is very considerable. The prudent flock-master, 

 therefore, will duly consider everything before he makes his 

 decision. 



The locality of the writer being favorable with regard to 

 climate, and the snow rarely of much depth, he gives the 

 preference to single barns, which are situated on the borders 

 of his meadows, and therefore very convenient for the re- 

 ception of hay. These barns are 32 by 24 feet, with 16 

 feet posts. The sheds are placed at the east end of the barns, 

 and front the south. The latter, however, is objectionable ; 

 they should be on the west side, and front the east. By this 

 plan the barn affords ample protection from the cutting winds 

 of the north while the flock is feeding. The writer would rec- 

 ommend, in reference to the sheds, the north gable ends to be 

 placed in a line with the south sides of the barns, with single 

 roofs, the peaks of which may ascend to the eaves of the 

 barns, and the lower ends elevated ten feet from the 

 ground. The space for the sheep to occupy should be six 

 feet in height, with a view to easy removal of the manure by 

 carts ; and above, there will be abundance of room for the 

 stowage of straw and pea vines, for the variations of fodder, 

 and for the deposite of litterings. For 100 sheep the shed 

 should be 20 by 30 feet at least. By this plan, it will be 

 seen that the feeding racks must be placed in the yards. 



To those whose circumstances forbid the expense of the 



