250 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



liquid evacuations to a muck-heap or reservoir, and whatever 

 manure is thrown out, should be carefully protected. The 

 manure contains the future crops of the farmer, and unless 

 he is willing to forego the latter, he should carefully husband 

 the former. A low roof projecting several feet over the ma- 

 nure which is thrown from the stables, will do much to pre- 

 vent waste from sun and rains. The mangers ought to be 

 so constructed as to economize the fodder. Box-feeding for 

 cattle we prefer, as in addition to hay, roots and meal may be 

 fed in them without loss ; and with over-ripe hay, a grat deal 

 of seed may in this way be saved, which will diminish the 

 quantity necessary to be purchased for sowing. The fine 

 leaves and small fragments of hay are also kept from waste, 

 which in racks are generally lost by falling on the floor. We 

 object to racks, unless provided with a shallow box under- 

 neath, and to foddering in the open yards. There is a loss in 

 dragging the forage to them, and too often this is done near 

 a herd of hungry cattle, which gore each other and are 

 scarcely to be kept at bay by the use of the stoutest goad. 

 There is also a waste of the hay which falls while the cattle 

 are feeding, and which is largely increased in muddy yards ; 

 added to which the animals are exposed to whatever bad 

 weather there may be while eating, which is at all times to 

 be deprecated. 



SHEDS. Feeding in sheds is far better, and in many in- 

 stances may take the place of the stall or stable. They are 

 frequently and very properly arranged on two sides of the 

 cattle yard, the barn forming one end, and the other opening 

 to the south, unless this is exposed to the prevailing winds. 

 This arrangement forms a good protection for the cattle, and 

 the sheds being connected with the barn is of importance in 

 economizing the labor in foddering. The racks or boxes are 

 placed on the boarded side of the shed, which forms the outer 

 side of the yard, and they are filled from the floor overhead. 

 If the space above is not sufficient to contain the necessary 

 quantity of fodder, it should be taken from the mows or scaf- 

 folds of the barn, and carried or dragged over the floor to the 

 place wanted. The floors ought to be perfectly tight to avoid 

 waste, and the sifting of the particles of hay or seed on the 

 cattle or sheep. Unless the ground under the shed be quite 

 dry, it is better to plank it, and it will then admit of cleaning 

 with the same facility as the stables. A portion of the shed 

 may be partitioned off for close or open stalls, for colts, calves 

 or infirm cattle, and cows or ewes that are heavy with young. 



