THE FARM HOMESTEAD. 103 



cheap rate, whilst in others clinker bricks may be cheap 

 and easily obtained. Granite sets are, undoubtedly, the 

 most durable their cost is the chief objection io their 

 more extensive use. The space behind the horse, which is 

 less subject to heavy wear, may be laid with asphalte. 

 The Yal de Travers asphalte is well known for its 

 durability. Whatever the materials used for the surface 

 covering, they should be placed on a layer of concrete com- 

 posed of hydraulic lime and broken stone or gravel. The 

 stable should be well lighted the light should invariably 

 issue from behind the horse. Stable doors should not be- 

 less than 4 feet wide in the clear ; many prefer them in two- 

 horizontally divided halves, but this is not essential. In 

 the Eastern counties horses are fed principally in open yards 

 abutting on the stables, in which they only receive their 

 corn in the manger, and may be tied up at night. 



Cattle Stalls. Opinions vary as to the best and most, 

 economical method of housing neat cattle ; one gives the 

 preference to covered yards, another to stalls, and a third' 

 to boxes. On considering the subject more closely in its 

 various bearings on the health and comfort of the animals, 

 we are led to the inference that the advocate of each is 

 supported in his view by the results of his circumstances. 



On large tillage farms, producing heavy crops of straw 

 which must necessarily be converted into manure where,, 

 in order to do this, a large number of young growing cattle 

 are kept undoubtedly covered yards are the best. The 

 cattle have room for healthy exercise without being exposed 

 to the elements. In the case of fattening animals, stalls,. 

 boxes, or the small yard (hammel) system of the Border- 

 counties is preferable. A most important feature of the.- 



