No. 144.] 151 



as much space as is requisite for a sufficient range for all the stock 

 of every kind designed to be kept upon the farm. Beneath this 

 roof should be suspended as many of these racks as will comfort- 

 ably accommodate the entire herd, small and large. In this way, 

 when feeding from them, filled with hay or fodder from above, 

 the younger and weaker part will always see, and thus be ap- 

 prized of the approach of the stronger and more authoritative por- 

 tion of the herd, and make safe their retreat. This space receives 

 the deposits of all litter, straw, &c., from the barn, as also the 

 cleanings from the stables, which should be equally spread over the 

 entire surface. As the mass accumulates the racks should also be 

 raised, so as to preserve a convenient height from the surface at 

 all times. Here is a shelter inviting to cattle at all seasons — a 

 protection from the snow and cold of winter as well as from that 

 of sun and rain in summer — consequently all their voidings are 

 preserved. Tlie eaves of the entire buildings should be so tho- 

 roughly guttered as to carry away all the water that falls in rain, 

 except such as may be needed at any time to keep the mass of 

 manure sufficiently moist to promote decomposition. The ground 

 beneath should sufficiently slope towards the centre of the space 

 so that all the superabundant water in the mass will there gather 

 into an excavation sufficient to receive it, into which a pump 

 should be placed, of sufficient height as will at any time throw it 

 over the surface of the mass, when needed for additional mois- 

 ture. Whenever ammonia is discovered to be escaping by the de- 

 composition and heating of the pile, plaster should be liberally 

 sown over the surface, or dissolved refuse salt (chloride of so- 

 dium) or fish brine may be liberally sprinkled over it, sufficient 

 to arrest all smell of escaping gases. What farmer, whose manure 

 heap is not protected from the open weather, is not compelled, after 

 every shower, during the time of this exposure, to see a dark cof- 

 fee colored stream coursing its way from his barnyard, perhaps 

 down a short declivity to a neighboring brook, discoloring its al- 

 ready turbid current as far as the eye can trace its course. Per- 

 haps the sensible farmer may be thinking that his manure heap 

 may be greatly benefited by being washed so clean. Or if he 

 sees his manure pile emitting steam of so pungent a smell as to 



