672 



THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. 



BOOK VIII. 



indeed, it is always best to place them in single stalls. Stalls should 

 not, however, be made too wide, otherwise the cattle will turn round 

 in them, and the stronger beasts will have an opportunity of injuring 

 their weaker companions. 



Where the system of stall-feeding is practised on a large scale, it 

 will be necessary that regular temperature and good ventilation should 

 be maintained ; and especially that apertures be left for the escape of 

 the gases emanating from the breath and evacuations of the animals. 

 There is not a more fruitful source of disease than these gases when 

 confined. If a loft be built over the stalls for the reception of pro- 

 vender, several funnels should be passed through it from the ceiling of 

 the feeding-house to the roof, in order to allow of the escape of the 

 foul air ; and great care should be taken to render these funnels, and 

 also the ceiling, air-tight, or the provender will become impregnated 

 with the gases, and rendered unwholesome. It is desirable, however, 

 that the cattle-houses, as well as the stables for the cart-horses, should 

 not have any loft over them. In addition to the windows, latticed or 



Fig. 201. -Cattle or Beast-House on the Roxburgh Plan. 



not, that are on the side of the house, there should be three or four open 

 gratings near the floor, through which the wind cannot blow directly 

 upon any of the cattle, but by means of which a constant circulation 

 of air may be maintained throughout the shed. Slides should be con- 

 trived to close them, in order that, when the wind blows violently, they 

 may be shut ; but this should be always under the direction of the 

 master. The regular windows should be opened or closed as the season 

 of the year or the state of the weather may indicate. Where it is 

 practicable, these openings should be towards the east or north, in order 

 that the cattle may derive some benefit from the genial rays of the morn- 

 ing sun, or from the cooler air of the day in summer. In addition 

 to this, the large front doors may sometimes be set open for the 

 purpose of further ventilation. 



The above plan, fig. 201, of a beast-house, much used in the county 

 of Roxburgh, may not be considered out of place here. 



The feeding-house here delineated is 60 feet in length, by 18 in 

 width, and is capable of containing twenty cattle standing in a direction 

 across the house, with their hind quarters towards each other ; while 

 a sufficient interval is left for storing up turnips or other winter food. 

 A A A A represent four spaces for the cattle, five being allotted to each 



