478 



On Box-feeding tuith Linseed Compounds. 



whole of it solid and compact in every part, which prevents its 

 heating. 



Some of the boxes are formed as leantos against the stable- wall, 

 which is 1 2 or 14 feet high, whilst the roof of others rests upon a 

 part of the yard-wall 6 feet high. They are all sunk 2 feet below 

 the surface ; and each box thus forms a kind of tank, which is 

 effected by excavating to the depth of a foot, and depositing the 

 earth on the outside. The passage at the head or inner end of the 

 boxes is not sunk, but remains at the natural level. A lining of 

 stone or brick 4 inches thick surrounds the bottom of each box, on 

 the angles of v/hich upright posts 6 feet long are fixed, and on these 

 the tye-beams and roofing rest, all being formed of rough spars 

 of the cheapest description. The roof consists of thorns, gorse, 

 and other rubbish, and is thatched with straw. The boxes are 

 thus 8 feet high within, from the bottom to the tye-beam, which 

 allows 6 feet in the clear, when the bedding by successive addi- 

 tions shall have risen to the level of the surface. When this is 

 the case, the whole must be removed, and a little dry mould, sand, 

 sawdust, ashes, or other absorbent, strewed upon the bottom, 

 before fresh litter is supplied. 



Such are the cattle-boxes in use at Trimingham, and similar 

 ones may be formed with very little assistance by any farmer who 

 gives his attention to the subject. Mr. Warnes estimates the cost 

 of each box at 305. This may seem a low estimate ; but allow 

 double, or even treble that sum, and it would still be worth the 

 outlay. 



No doubt more expensive, and, with respect to appearance, more 

 complete structures might be raised; but it is doubtful whether 

 they would answer the purpose better. A slated or tiled roof, and 

 more space within, may seem preferable to a roof of faggots and 

 thatch : but the latter is cooler for the cattle in summer, and 

 warmer in winter ; and 6 feet is sufficiently high, if a few open 

 spaces for ventilation are left in the back wall, to be opened or 

 closed as circumstances require. To protect the cattle from the 

 sun and flies in summer, a screen of coarse canvas is hung on the 

 outside, which effectually answers the purpose without excluding 

 the air. The weather was oppressively hot when I inspected the 

 boxes, yet I found them cool and shady, and the cattle in a state 

 of perfect enjoyment. 



The precise arrangement of the boxes and attached offices must 

 of course depend in some measure upon the locality, an arrange- 

 ment suitable to one place being probably unsuitable to another. 

 In many instances, old existing buildings may be converted into 

 cattle-boxes at a trifling cost ; and wherever there are stalls or 

 sheds, or spare out-buildings on a farm, they may thus be readily 

 converted. In Belgium, where stall-feeding is universal, and 



