342 



Covered Farm- Steadings. 



ing at each end of the row of boxes they ai^e emptied out with 

 as great facility as carting from a common dung-heap. The 

 feeding troughs are made to slide up and down as the dung 

 accumulates ; the cattle are supplied with water by means of 

 troughs filled from a cistern with a ball-cock. My plan admits 

 of either boxes, sparred floors, or stalls being adopted — a com- 

 bination of both, particularly the two former, is preferable. The 

 stalls being appropriated to the cows, not requiring straw when 

 laid with tiles, and having a matting extending along the front 

 of the stall. 



The stable is not lofted, and the horses being fed at the head, 

 the best ventilation is secured ; indeed this is the case with the 

 whole steading. The outside roofs are slated, while for the 

 interior roofs, except the stable, pantiles are used. I have found 

 roofs thus constructed give sufficient warmth in winter, combined 

 with coolness and ventilation in summer. The drains, it will 

 be seen, are all conducted into the tank to which the pump, 

 worked by the engine, is attached, for the purpose of applying 

 the liquid manure to the rye-grass and other green crops. The 

 roofs running N. and S. have a slight inclination to the N., by 

 which means very narrow gutters, requiring but a small amount 

 of lead, answer every purpose, and the rain-water from the roof 

 is collected for after application by the pumps. The doors are 

 all made to slide, and are fastened on the inside by a chain and 

 hook, with the exception of the principal entrance, which is at 

 one gate between the stable and cart-shed, and which alone has 

 a lock ; the whole concern is by this means secured, on the same 

 principle as that adopted in factories. Another advantage of 

 the accompanying plan is, that it may be adapted to a farm of 

 any dimensions, by merely extending or curtailing the length of 

 the sheds running N. and S. 



I have endeavoured, as concisely as I am able, to give an idea 

 of the different conveniences of the steading, which will, I think, 

 be understood by reference to the Plan. For the details and 

 specifications, I would refer your readers to Mr. J. Scott, 

 architect, Dundee, in whose hands I have placed them, and who 

 will supply the necessary information to any party applying, at 

 a very moderate charge. 



I have already sent a copy of the plan to a weekly journal, the 

 ' North British Agriculturist but as many English landowners 

 may not see that publication, I think, if there be space in the 

 Journal, the description of a plan, of which the effectual working 

 is daily under my own eye, may be useful at a time when so 

 much is needed and is doing towards the improvement of 

 agricultural buildings in England. 



There is no doubt that many, who are really anxious to im- 



