POULTRIY-CRAFT. 51 
In making plans a few simple rules, which may well be called axzoms, 
should be observed : 
(1.)— Permanent quarters for stock should be on the ground floor. Second 
floor space may be used for temporary quarters for surplus stock, for 
fitting exhibition birds, for storage, etc.; but not much second floor 
space is needed. . 
(2.)— Walls should be perpendicular. A sloping front is a bad fault. 
(3.)— A house should be as high as necessary to accommodate those work- 
ing in it; but not higher. Additional height increases the cost of the 
house, and increases the difficulty of regulating the temperature. 
Ventilators are not needed. A poultry house can be aired just as a 
dwelling house is — by opening doors and windows as much or as little as the 
weather conditions require. 
Buying \Watertals.— Lumber ordered should be of such lengths that there 
will be the least possible waste in using it. It is safest to order a little more 
than is needed. This insures against delays from shortages of material. 
What is not used can usually, if purchased of a local dealer, be returned. If 
not returnable it should be stored away for the time — sure to come — when 
it will be needed. Refuse to accept any and every piece of dimension lumber 
that is not straight, free from bad knots, and of the full length required. See 
to it that the sheathing delivered is of full surface measure. In estimating 
the amount of matched flooring, or lapped siding, needed to cover a given 
surface, make allowance for matching, or lapping, by adding one-fifth to the 
surface measure. Shingles of good quality are cheapest at first cost, as well 
asin the long run. The builders’ rule is a thousand shingles laid 4 in. to the 
weather, to the square (100 sq. ft.) If the sheathing on poultry house roofs 
is laid close, and a thin sheathing paper used under the shingles, shingles may 
be laid 44 or 5 in. to the weather. On the sides of buildings they may be 
5 or 6 in. to the weather. Taking both sides and roof into consideration, 
a safe estimate for shingles will be, a thousand to every 120 sq. ft. 
Prepared Roofing Papers. — These vary in quality. Those advertised 
especially for poultry and farm buildings, are the best. Common tarred 
sheathing paper is not suitable for exterior use. Tarred felt may be used 
outside, and if protected with a coat of tar will last for some time, but is very 
much inferior to the specially prepared papers. Though the best papers are 
not as good as shingles, they are a boon to poultrymen with small capital; 
properly put on and regularly painted, they last a 'ony time, and at first cost 
are much cheaper than shingles. Paper can also be used to cover old 
buildings not suitable for shingling. Dealers in builders’ supplies generally 
carry stocks of roofing papers. Sometimes people hesitate to buy the special 
brand they want because the local dealer does not keep it, and the factory 
is so far away that freight would add too much to the cost. Manufacturers 
usually have distributing agents in different sections, Write to headquarters 
