CHAPTER XL 



THE PRACTICAL HORSE BARN 



The planning and construction of all buildings on the 

 farm should receive careful consideration. They should 

 be adapted to the environment. Features of the natural 

 landscape give character to the homestead. It is a com- 

 mon error to give little thought to the placing of build- 

 ings, either in relation to each other or to the surround- 

 ing conditions. There are many fine homes that ovi^e 

 their beauty and much of their value to the arrangement 

 of the buildings, lawns, gardens and fields. 



The horse barn, in common with the other buildings, 

 should be planned to meet the attendant conditions. No 

 one type of building is of universal suitability. The farm 

 barn must fit the farm and the needs of the farmer, while 

 the city barn must be planned to meet the individual con- 

 ditions. On the average farm there is but one barn, which 

 must house all the animals, with the possible exception of 

 swine and poultry. Because of the variety of conditions 

 under which horse barns are planned no attempt is made 

 to suggest a type, and only a few of the more important 

 essentials, which apply in the construction of all build- 

 ings where horses are housed, are considered. 



Essentials in location and construction. — The horse 

 barn should occupy a subordinate location in relation to 

 the house. It should occupy a position so that the pre- 

 vailing winds will not carry the stable odors toward the 

 house. The exact position and arrangement of the out- 

 buildings and inclosures will vary according to use, and 

 to be convenient should be few and compact, rather than 

 scattered over a large area. 



Drainage. — In choosing a location for the horse barn 

 consideration should be given the natural drainage. This 



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