112 THE EQUIPMENT OF THE FARM. 



injures their health, but deteriorates the value of hay or 

 corn stored above. 



An enclosed and covered manure pit is desirable near a 

 farmyard ; and a liquid manure tank may be placed at one 

 end of it, into which the entire drainage should be conducted. 

 By this means, the manure is protected from washing by 

 rain and from the wasting effects of exposure to the atmo- 

 sphere. Although large barns are no longer a necessity, 

 yet on the majority of farms in the Midlands, they are the 

 most substantial building on the farm. They might be 

 easily converted to a better use. One or both bays might 

 be readily converted into a food-preparing room. A storage 

 loft may be placed over the bay ; on this the chaff-cutter 

 can be fixed, and the ground floor will be useful for a 

 mixing place. 



Materials. The changes which have taken place within 

 the last decade, as well as others obviously looming in the 

 distance, induce prudent men to pause before embarking in 

 large expenditure on buildings which in a few years may 

 not be required ; hence the more intelligent are turning 

 their attention to less costly, yet at the same time less 

 durable erections. 



In many cases wood or concrete is taking the place of 

 brick walls. We have given both a fair trial, being well 

 provided with manufacturing plant and machinery. And 

 we have not succeeded in reducing the cost of building by 

 the substitution of other material for bricks. 



We have however succeeded in erecting serviceable build- 

 ings of a temporary character, that is, with a probable life 

 of 20 or 25 years. The walls are constructed of old railway 

 sleepers set on end, with a wall plate on the top of 6 inches 



