BUILDINGS 311 
for a sow and her litter, or as a shelter for two or three sows. 
The description is taken from Bulletin 153 of the Wisconsin 
Experiment Station. The pen is constructed by nailing inch 
boards on six joists, each 2 by 4 inches, and 7 feet 8 inches 
long, for the floor. Beneath the joists are nailed three stringers, 
each 2 by 6 inches, and 8 feet long, which serve as runners 
for moving the house. Next, a plate piece 2 by 8 inches, 
and 9 feet 4 inches long, is spiked to the ends of the joists, 
having the bottom of the 2” by 8” even with the bottom 
of the joists, which will allow it to project 3 inches above the 
floor. It will also extend out 7 inches at each end. This 
2” hy 8” forms a plate to which the rafters and roof boards 
are nailed. The ‘-inch extensions of the plate at the ends 
support the cornice, and protect the lower corners of the roof, 
which otherwise would be easily split off. The 2’ by 8” planks, 
besides strengthening the house, raise the rafters and the roof 
boards nailed to them, at least three inches off the floor, and 
thereby increase the floor space and capacity of the house. 
The following lumber is necessary to construct the A-shaped 
pen illustrated here: 
Nine pieces, 1’’ X 12” X 16’ and 11 O. G. battens 16’ long for roof. 
Five pieces 1’ X 12” X 14’ for ends. 
One piece 2” X 4” X 10’ for ridge. 
Two pieces 2” X 8” X 10’ for plates. 
Seven pieces 2” X 4” X 16’ for rafters, and braces in frame. 
Three pieces 2’ X 6” X 8’ for runners. 
Four pieces, 1’ X 12” X 16’ for flooring. 
If the house is to be used in cold weather, a door will be 
necessary, which may be hung on hinges or made to slide up 
out of the way. The doorway is shown in the drawing, two 
feet by two feet six inches. In the case of very large sows, it 
would be better to make the door three feet high. 
The dotted lines in the drawings indicate the scantlings 
which constitute the framework of the pen. 
