106 HOUSING AND FEEDING OF CATTLE. 
the lowest end, for the purpose of allowing any heat or steam 
that generates to escape ; or the roof, if covered with slates, 
should have ventilating holes, of which there are many kinds, 
formed along the ridge. Great attention must be paid to the 
sufficient ventilation of every byre ; for, when such is the 
case, the health of the cattle is greatly promoted, and, con- 
sequently, the profit from feeding proportionately enhanced. 
To attain this end, I make in the side walls, both before and 
behind the cattle, windows or boles, with hinge-doors on 
them, every twelve feet or so apart; and sometimes, in 
double-headed byres, in these boles I make a second or false 
door of perforated zinc, so that the draught can be regulated 
at pleasure. When a stormy wind is blowing against any 
side of the byre, the doors of the boles can be shut on that 
side, and those on the opposite side opened ; or, if an ordinary 
wind, I open only the wooden door, and allow the zinc ones 
to be brought into play. With these doors, and a careful 
feeder to regulate them, the cattle will never be seen steam- 
ing and perspiring, as is frequently the case in byres where 
no attention has been paid to the most important matter of 
ventilation. In cause-waying byres, a few 7 inches of a fall is 
necessary to prevent stagnant water from remaining about 
the feet of the cattle, and a covered drain or gutter behind is 
requisite for conveying their urine to the tank. The divisions 
or stalls can either be made of a stone slab or wood. The 
former I would recommend, as being the most durable, 
although at first more costly. 
I now come to the second method referred to, viz.: — 
Feeding-yards. When these are intended for six or -ten 
cattle, they should be made with a southern exposure, if 
possible, and have as much shedding as to allow 7 them all 
comfortably to rest in. If the east, w r est, or north sides are 
not covered by sheds, attention ought to be paid to have 
these uncovered sides sheltered by w r alls sufficiently high to 
protect the stock from piercing w inds and storms. Dressed 
stone troughs for roots, corn, or cake, may be made inside 
along the back w 7 all ; and boles, as formerly described, with 
hinge-doors to open outw r ards, every twelve feet or so, for 
supplying food, w r ith a fodder-rack immediately above. It is 
very useful to have a water-trough in the corner of the j 7 ard ; 
for, although seldom required in the winter, while the stock 
is receiving a full allowance of roots, yet, in spring or 
summer, w r hen these and other fodder become drier, it may 
then be found of great service. It is of great importance to 
the comfort of the cattle to have the bottom of the yard 
paved, or, at least, w ith an even surface, to avoid pools of 
