THE HORSE, HOW TO SHELTEK. 133 



VI. The Loft. 



We have already advised that the granary be in the loft, the shoots, 

 however, should not enter the stable ; first, because they create more or 

 lesB dust, and second, they are liable to contract more or less effluvia 

 from the stable. They should communicate with a room by itself, suf- 

 ficiently large for sifting oats and mixing feed. The granary must also 

 be made rat proof, which is best done by covering the bottom and two 

 feet of the sides, and the top with sheet iron. The floor of the whole 

 loft should also be covered with a tight floor of planks, plowed and 

 grooved, so that by no possibility dust or trash can drop through ; the 

 loft should also be high enough to hold straw for bedding, and hay 

 enough for at least two months' feed. In fact, if it be a farm barn, it 

 were better to hold enough, if possible, for the Winter. This might de- 

 tract somewhat from the architectural appearance of the building, unless 

 the storage and stable room be large below. In any event we should not 

 build any stable, however small, less than eight feet high, with a loft 

 above of the same height, and in the case of a large building we should 

 extend the loft to ten, twelve or fourteen feet as the size of the ground 

 floor might allow. 



Vn. The Harness Boom. 



The harness room should be as complete as possible with suitable pegs 

 for harness and seats or frames for saddles. It should also be provided 

 with a saddler's horse for sewing .raps, awls, needles, wax, thread, etc. ; 

 also a table for oiling harness, and if it have a boiler set in a stove foi 

 heating water, it will often be called in requisition in Winter, not only 

 for its hot water facilities, but for drying harness and saddles as weU 



Vm. The Out Shed. 



If the stable is provided with an out-shed for cleaning horses when th* 

 weather is not inclement, it will be found to save much dust and dirt in- 

 side. If this shed be a vestibule to the stable, with sliding windows, so 

 much the better. It may even be used, in case of need, for temporary 

 •tables or for baiting a double team when it is not considered necessary 

 to unharness. In fact there are many uses to which it may be put aside 

 from the protection it would give the stable, in opening the doors in oold 

 and inclement weather. 



IX. The Surroundings. 

 Every stable should have a smooth, close yard, with a tight high fenot 



