114 THE EQUIPMENT OF THE FARM. 



and doors of buildings. This is mistaken economy, entail- 

 ing endless disappointment and grievous loss : the labour 

 of converting the timber is costly, and the work unsatis- 

 factory. Where the timber was used in a green state we 

 have been obliged to strip and re-roof buildings within 15 

 years of their erection. "We prefer white Baltic timber for 

 roof, purchased in planks, deals, and battens. A plank is 

 11 inches, a deal 9 inches, and a batten 2 inches wide, the 

 general thickness being 2 J inches to 3 inches. With a little 

 forethought as to the purposes for which they are required 

 they can be converted with the least possible waste. For 

 doors and windows we prefer red deal. We generally use 

 either English oak or pitch pine for window cills. The 

 latter, though difficult to work, is cheaper than oak and 

 equally applicable to the purpose. In some cases dressed 

 stone window heads and cills are used : they increase the 

 cost without adding much to the practical utility of the 

 building. Blue bricks may be used for cills, for window 

 and door heads ; and for them we prefer elliptical brick 

 arches with a rise of one inch to the foot. 



Except on large estates where a regular staff of mechanics 

 are employed with the assistance of improved machinery, 

 it is cheaper to purchase ready-made joinery ; particularly 

 where the proprietor lets the brickwork and joinery sepa- 

 rately. The ironwork to doors should be of a substantial 

 character ; the bands and hooks should be of wrought 

 iron, the former secured to the door ledge by a screw 

 pin passing through the whole thickness of the wood and 

 secured by a nut on the inside. 



General Conclusions. In the erection of farm buildings, 

 utility and economy are the chief points to consider. 



