35-2 THE MANAGEMENl AND FEEDING OF CATTLE 



Stable is so cheap of construction as that built on the 

 basement plan, when duration is taken into account, 

 nor is any so economical of labor when caring for the 

 stock, nor so promotive under all conditions of the com- 

 fort of the animals. That these claims will be generally 

 conceded by all who examine carefully different systems 

 of stable building is the judgment of the author. That 

 such stables are not more frequently in evidence has 

 doubtless arisen from the lack of knowledge with refer- 

 ence to their merits. Until recent years building ma- 

 terials have been so plentiful that economy of construc- 

 tion has not been much forced upon the attention of 

 live stock owners. 



The materials of construction. — The materials of 

 construction used in stables include sods, straw, logs, 

 lumber, bricks, and cement. Sods, straw, or logs 

 usually furnish the materials for stables in new 

 settlements, but these in time are gradually superseded 

 by structures more enduring. 



The sod stable is best applicable to dry areas of the 

 western prairies. The tough sods of those areas furnish 

 material that is so interlaced with the roots of the 

 native grasses as to make them strongh^ adherent. The 

 sods cut in proper lengths are simply laid upon one 

 another until the height of the wall is reached, leaving 

 space for door and windows. The roofing is usually 

 poles and straw. As the sod frequently varies much in 

 toughness with the thickness of the grasses, it is a mat- 

 ter of much importance that the sods be taken from 

 ground that excels in furnishing tough sod. Such 

 stables are warm and may serve the purpose for several 

 years. In building them the outlay in cash is practically 

 eliminated, except for the material for the doors and 

 windows. The objections to them are the lack of loft 

 room, the decay of the sods, and the lack of light. 



Stables are sometimes made from straw and poles, 

 the straw being in the baled and unbaled form. AVhen 



