THE PRACTICAL HORSE BARN 



417 



inside should be whitewashed once every year, as this 

 ser\es to promote lighting and sanitation. 



Roofing materials. — ^There are a great variety of roof- 

 ing materials on the market, many of which are scarcely 

 worth the time required to put them on, notwithstanding 

 the fact that they are easily laid. \\'hile there is no roof- 

 ing more durable or 

 satisfactory than 

 slate and tile, yet 

 they are heavy and 

 require strong raft- 

 ers. All things con- 

 sidered, perhaps a 

 good shingle roof is 

 best. Soaking 

 wooden shingles for 

 a moment in boiling 

 linseed oil adds to 

 their durability. A 

 trifle of red color 

 added to the oil, just 

 enough to stain, im- 

 proves the appear- 

 ance of the roof. Dip 

 the shingles in large 

 handfuls to the tips, 

 lay them on a piece 

 of sheet iron and let 

 them drain back into 

 the kettle. For shingles the roof should be fairly steep. 

 Dipped shingles on a steep roof will last a lifetime. Metal, 

 rubber and paper are often used for roofing bams, but, as 

 a rule, give poor satisfaction. 



Labor-saving appliances. — In constructing a bam it is 

 important to install all of the adaptable labor-saving ap- 

 pliances available. The framework and the rafters should 

 be of sufficient strength to carry a hay fork to facilitate 

 mowing the hay. In large bams the alley ways should be 



Fig. 182. — Litteb Carrier in Use 



