SHEEP-BARNS AND SKELTERS. 
B44 
SHEEP-BARNS AND SHELTERS. 
The utility of barns for the protection of fod¬ 
der no one will question; and that a well-construct¬ 
ed bam is conducive to economy, is susceptible of 
demonstration. Hay is often essentially damaged 
when stacking, by a sudden and violent rain; 
whereas, -whatever is secured in a barn is freed 
thereafter from harm. Again, a skilful stacker is 
rare, and therefore much hay is subjected to damage 
from this cause; and when unthatched, 
of course much is injured on the surface. 
Taking only these into view, the induce¬ 
ment is ample for every sheep-farmer to 
build commodious bams for the recep¬ 
tion of his provender. That they will 
reimburse their expense in a few years 
by the saving of hay, and that the flock 
can be sustained in better order from the 
improved quality of the hay, all who have 
had the opportunity to judge, will at 
once testify. 
The locality of the writer being fa¬ 
vorable with regard to climate, and the 
snow rarely of much depth, he gives the 
preference to single barns, which are 
situated on the borders of his meadows, 
and therefore very convenient for the re¬ 
ception of hay. These bams are 32 by | 
24 feet, with 16 feet posts. The sheds 
are placed at the east end of the barns, 
and front the south. The latter, how¬ 
ever, is objectionable; they should be 
on the west side, and front the east. By 
this plan the bam affords ample protec¬ 
tion from the cutting winds of the north 
while the flock is feeding. The writer 
would recommend, in reference to the 
sheds, the north gable ends to be placed 
in a line with the south sides of the i 
bams, with single roofs, the peaks of 
which may ascend to the eaves of the 
barns, and the lower ends elevated ten 
feet from the ground. The space for the 
sheep to occupy should be six feet in 
height, with a view to easy removal of 
the manure by carts; and above, there 
will be abundance of room for the 
stowage of straw and pea-vines, for the 
variations of fodder, and for the deposite 
of litterings. For 100 sheep the shed 
should be 20 by 30 feet at least. By 
this plan, it will be seen that the feed¬ 
ing racks must be placed in the yards. 
To those whose circumstances forbid 
the expense of the erection of barns and 
framed sheds, the writer would recom¬ 
mend the following :—For the consump¬ 
tion of 100 sheep, during the foddering 
season, two large stacks of hay are ne¬ 
cessary; let these be placed in a north-east and 
south-west line; and when they are about to be 
built, place two poles 35 feet each in length on the 
top of the stack-pens, the centre of the poles to be 
supported by strong crotches. Before winter the 
hovel may be completed by putting rails crosswise 
of the poles to support the straw necessary for the 
roof; the back can be made of common boards, or 
by placing rails or poles parallel, and about one 
foot apart, and stuffed with old or partly rotted 
straw. This description of hovels are warm, and 
made in a very brief time. Wind-breakers may be 
built at right angles of the hovels, of the same mate¬ 
rials and manner as the back of the hovel, which af¬ 
ford much protection when the sheep are feeding. 
Description of Fig. 186, by M Y. Tilden, of New 
Lebanon, Columbia County, N. Y. 
A. Well with pump. 
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B. Water-tubs. 
C. Boxes for hay 4 by 6 ft. directly under a trap¬ 
door, through which hay is thrown from the mow ; 
this prevents the sheep running into it before feed¬ 
ing and also keeps the dust and seed out of the wool. 
D. In this section is a shearing floor, 13 by 40 
ft., and wool room 14 by 18 ft., plastered. 
Racks are placed around the sides of each apart¬ 
ment.— Morrell's American Shepherd. 
