BARNS AND STABLES 219 



is flattened and slightly notched, and the braces spiked 

 there. The plates on which rest the rafters are made of two 

 pieces of 2x8, spiked on as shown at fig. 7. This makes a 

 very strong and stiff plate, and is really better than the 

 old fashioned mortised plate and many times easier put on. 



The rafters are in two pieces, splicing in the center, a 

 lap-splice spiking together. They are supported in the cen- 

 ter by a purlin plate, F, which is 3x10, and supported by the 

 purlin posts, E E. In putting this up temporary braces will 

 be used until the rafters are spiked in place, when no fur- 

 ther bracing Is needed. This purlin does not receive the 

 thrust of the rafters but merely supports the weight, the 

 thrust being held at the plate below 7 . 



At G there should be a track for a hay carrier. I prefer 

 the wooden tracks of 4x4 and the sling carriers. The mow 

 will hold about 12 tons of hay. The floor is supported by 

 2x8 joists spaced 2 feet apart over the center and 3 feet 

 over the side bents. 



For roof.ug I shall use the best shingles that I can get. 

 We have now a good deal of iron roofing and it is not satis- 

 factory. It requires paint too often. 



Siding may be of oak or pine. Pine is better, unless 

 the oak has been seasoned without warping or twisting; it 

 should be well nailed if used and battened. Plenty of doors 

 should be used, each in two halves, the lower half swinging 

 ajnd the upper half raising like an awning, hung by hinges 

 at upper edge. Thus the sheep may have sun and air, 

 and yet be kept in by the closed lower door. 



Here is a bill of lumber and approximate cost of same. 

 I charge but $5 per thousand for the oak, as that is all it 

 will cost in cash to one having the timber: 



8 posts, 8x8 (or round), 10 feet 427ft. 



8 posts, 8x8 (or round), 12 feet 512 ft. 



8 posts, 4x8, 8 feet (purlin) 192ft. 



69 joists, 2x8, 12 feet 1,104 ft. 



6 purlin plates, 3x10, 12 feet 180 ft. 



34 4x4 girts, 12 feet 544 ft. 



1,120 1 x4 sheeting 1,120 ft. 



1,276 feet flooring 1,276 ft. 



76 rafters, 2x5x16 .1,013 ft. 



Total oak 6,368 ft. 



Cost of 6,368 feet oak at $5 per M $31.84 



1,800 feet pine siding 36.00 



18,000 shingles 46.80 



Nails 5.00 



Labor, help about raising, etc 15.00 



Total cash outlay needed $134.64 



