CHAP. I. ADVANTAGES OF COVERED YARDS. 669 



also attains to the first essential of covered yards efficient ventilation 

 all who have had experience of it concur in affirming, whilst its 

 first cost is less per yard than that of any of the others. But whether 

 it will in the long run prove the most economical mode of cover is not 

 so certain. 



As Mr. Moscrop enters, in considerable detail, into the subject of 

 cost, the reader who requires enlightenment upon this point would do 

 well to consult the original paper. The following conclusions are 

 established : 



1. That, both from an economical and utilitarian point of view, 

 corrugated iron roofs for cattle yards are inferior to, and the least desir- 

 able of, all the modes that have come under notice. 



2. That a roof embodying in construction the principle of ventila- 

 tion recommended by Sir H. M. Thompson, whether covered with 

 slate or tile, and the board roof originated by Mr. Cundy, about equally 

 balance in point of economy ; but the first cost of the latter being only 

 half that of the former, an owner adopting it is enabled at equal outlay 

 to double the area of his roofing. Hence, in point of utility, it is 

 greatly superior, and deserves consideration from those who have yards 

 to cover. 



3. That a spaced open slated roof is the most economical of any, 

 with ventilation not so perfect as the two last named, but yet found in 

 practice to be fairly sufficient. 



The advantages of covered yards comprise (1) economy of food in 

 conjunction with the health and well-doing of stock ; (2) superiority of 

 manure, and economy in its application ; (3) saving of litter. 



The money value of the advantages enumerated under the first head 

 is estimated at from Qd. to Is. per beast per week during thirty weeks 

 of winter. Under the second head, the advantage may be thus stated : 

 If manure made in open yards is worth 3s. Qd, per ton, that made in 

 covered yards is worth 5s. 3d. Taking the quantity of manure made 

 by a medium- sized beast in a covered yard during the winter months 

 at eight tons, this, at the increased value of Is. 9d., gives a gain of 14s. 

 per head for the period named. 



On the assumption stated, it would follow that, to obtain equal 

 results, 1J ton of open-yard manure must be applied for every ton of 

 that made under cover, costing in labour half as much more, provided 

 the conditions of application are alike. But they are not alike, for, as 

 practical men well know, the latter may be drawn from the yard, and 

 applied direct to the land for any description of crop. Not so the 

 former: the large proportion of straw in its composition renders it 

 unsuitable for direct application, more especially for turnip crops, and 

 a cartage to heap, turning, refilling, recarting, and re-emptying are 

 indispensable, thus adding largely to the cost. 



The third advantage, saving of litter, is sufficiently apparent. Not 

 more than half the quantity of straw is required for litter in a covered 

 yard that is necessary in an open one, and a reduction of 1 ton per 

 head of ordinary-sized cattle may fairly be calculated on. This saving 

 may be turned to account as food (worth 30s. at consuming value), 

 thus enabling a larger number of cattle to be kept. 



