THE LETTER OF IGNORAMUS." 



303 



The description of wood being perfectly immaterial, and 

 consisting simply of poles, such as the thinning of plantations^ 

 I left this department of building to the discretion of the car- 

 penter. The length of the crib backwards is explained by the 

 circumstance of the boxes being Si feet square. 



" The double gates which are to shut in the cattle must also be 

 attended with considerable cost.'' 



On the contrary, they are nothing more than common lift- 

 gates, in the shape of doors, according to the appearance of 

 the elevation ; and at the cost of about eighteen shillings per 

 dozen. 



" A more detailed and minute estimate of the materials, expense^ 

 and dimensions of the several parts would, doubtless, confer a great 

 kindness on many farmer s."" 



The real cost of the boxes to the tenant centres in the 

 workman's wages. With the intrinsic value of the materials 

 he has but little to do, because landlords would readily 

 furnish such wood as I describe. But, to the unassisted 

 farmer, posts, ties, and sills would cost about ^d or Is. each ; 

 and poles for partitions, gates^ and roofs, about 2d. or 3c?. 

 a-piece. With respect to dimensions, I find 8J feet square, 

 independent of the space for the crib and passage, sufficient 

 for bullocks of 40 or 50 stone weight (of 14 lbs. to the stone) ; 

 but, for cattle upon a larger scale, a few additional inches 

 might be added, and then one box would, if required, con- 

 tain two small bullocks— a plan that I have seen adopted with 

 advantage. 



I think all will perceive that the phraseology under the title 

 of ^'Ignoramus" in 1846, is so identified with that under the 

 name of W. P. Taunton in 1844, as to prove that both signa- 

 tures represent the same person, and that my replies to the 

 inquiries of November 28th, 1844, are equally applicable to 

 those of December 21st, 1846. But, were it otherwise, I am 

 sure every intelligent mind would excuse my not attempting 

 to answer the present string of trifling questions ; questions 

 that every village cow-boy and carpenter can readily answer ; 

 for the carpenter well understands " the mechanical movement up 



