Best Menus of IncrewuKj the Home-BrodHdion of Beef. 355 
available capital amongst the generality of landowners ; and the 
second, the unstable and ever-changing conditions of agriculture, 
which cause a prudent man to reflect before he expends large sums 
on costly erections that in a few years may become a burden to the 
estate to maintain. At Elvaston we are largely using corru- 
gated iron for roofing, and find it both cheap and serviceable. 
Dairy-cows require warmth ; and for rearing and fattening cattle 
we prefer well-arranged covered sheds and yards on the !North- 
country hammel system. We have only a wall on one side, and 
two gable ends, whilst a feeding-passage extends the whole 
length of the building ; this secures a great economy of labour, 
and saves the cattle from disturbance. The sheds and yards are 
divided and enclosed by ordinary iron gas-pipe varying in 
diameter from f in. to H in. ; these pipes are passed through iron 
standards securely bolted to stone blocks placed 9 feet apart. 
The eaves of all buildings are spouted, and the rain-water is 
conducted to a well. The manure is not removed more than 
twice a year ; the litter absorbs the urine, and, if the rain- 
water is excluded, under drains are not necessary. Contrary 
to the opinion of those unaccustomed to covered yards, the 
manure comes out in a ripe state ; the constant treading of 
the cattle solidifies the manure, and prevents excessive fer- 
mentation. The winter-made manure comes out when the 
turnip season arrives, and is in a fit state to apply to the land 
at a temperature of 70° to 80 3 . We look upon this as a consi- 
derable advantage, as, when taken direct from the yards, and 
placed in the ridges, it raises the temperature of the soil and 
hastens the sprouting of the seeds. 
In carrying out the system of rearing and feeding to the 
fullest extent, the straw of the cereals, when well harvested, 
is of great value in the rearing and fattening of the stock ; 
when prudently used it economises hay, one of the most costly 
products of modern farming. 
Our experience of the use of moss litter, both for cattle 
and horses, is of the most favourable character; one of its 
valuable properties is the readiness with which it absorbs and 
retains the liquid constituents of the manure, there being no 
drainage, and the manure being ready at any time, either for 
grass or tillage lands. The action of this manure, both on grass 
and tillage land, is quick, but not of long duration, as there is 
little appreciable result after the second year. For the rearing 
and feeding of young stock in yards moss litter is more 
conducive to health from a sanitary point of view : the sheds are 
always dry. and there is no offensive or unpleasant smell. A light 
sprinkling of fresh litter may be necessary every second day, 
