1922.] Planning and Construction of Cow-Sheds. 313 



the double standing is strongly advocated as being more suitable 

 for extension, economical of labour, and relatively cheaper to 

 construct. 



Arable Dairy Farm, Hucknall.— The illustrations given 

 (Fig. 1) are of the Experimental Arable Dairy Farm at 

 Hucknall, Notts., built under the direction of the Ministry of 

 Agriculture in 1921. Its purpose is to demonstrate the intensive 

 production of milk from 30 acres of arable land, the conserva- 

 tion of food stuffs being largely effected by means of a silo. 



Condition*.— The conditions laid down by the Dairy Branch of 

 the Ministry included standings for 22 cows placed head to head, 

 with a central feeding passage having a straight run from the 

 mixing floor and silo. The double doors to the former for the 

 delivery of green food, and the convenient position of the shoot 

 from the silo are consequently the essence of the plan and secure 

 the most economical means of service in time and labour. The 

 original intention was to allow sufficient width in the feeding 

 passage to enable a loaded cart to be drawn through in» order to 

 feed fresh-cut green fodder direct from cart to cow. but con- 

 siderations of economy led to a reduction in width, the feeding 

 passage being finally constructed 5 feet wide. Provision had to 

 be made to allow for future extension to accommodate 10 more 

 cows. 



It was necessary to balance the cow-house accommodation with 

 other essentia 1 farm buildings, such as stabling, boxes, cartshed, 

 and piggeries, which with the open yard, complete the steading. 

 The conservation of liquid manure by means of a large under- 

 ground tank, suitably placed for convenient access, was also 

 considered an essential feature of the scheme. 



Construction. — The decision, to have a shed with double stand- 

 ings necessitated a roof of wide span, and under the abnormal 

 building conditions then obtaining it was obvious that special 

 consideration must be given to simple and economical construc- 

 tion, with due regard to a minimum of expense in future main- 

 tenance. These conditions and the fact that it was intended to 

 use American Yoke Ties and standard metal stall divisions, one 

 to each cow, led to the use of timber of small scantling, rather 

 than the employment of heavy roof timbers or steel trusses, 

 with a clear span from wall to wall. Reference to the section 

 in Fig. 1 shows that intermediate supports are used, facilitating 

 the use of the metal divisions and the employment of light timber 

 trusses. These supports carrying the roof principals are con- 

 sequently spaced at 10 ft. 6 in. centres allowing standings for 



