The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-01-11
agricultural.
Tight Barns.

the following eninently sensible remarks
on very important subject:
Cattle must have air, or they die
Hay must have air, or it becomes musty.
Corn must have air in the crib, or it rols.
Many farmers seem not to understand
this; and they enclose their barns as
tight as double-boarding will permit
making it necessary to give their hay
two or three more hours summing than it
would need in barns that admit some air
between the boards:
1t is an universal law that all living
animals require air. Even fish in the
pounds die very soon when deprived of
air. They inhale small quantity
through their gills; and, by closing these
gills tight with Irvine, they die in their
own element. Some animals require
much more than others. Those living
under water require the least; while the
fowls of the air require the greatest
quantity. And their blood is warmer
than that of cattle. But the blood of
fishes is comparatively cold.
The alarming fever among cattle,
which prevailed here last year, was gem
orally supposed to have come from
Holland, whence Mr.. Chenery, of Bel
mont, imported his COWS. Different
opinions were given on this point but
the papers on farming were filled with
accounts Of fevers that had often pre-
vailed in Germany, England and France.
And they had not the least doubt that
Mr.. Chenery had imported that German
fever with the German cows.
But we are now confirmed in the
opinions heretofore expressed by us
for Mr.. Chenery himself told US, last
week, that he had no doubt the fever
among his cattle was caused by their
being confined closely in his very tight
barn. His agent, also, who has the care
OF his cattle, stated to US explicitly that
the want of free air was the sole cause of
the fever.
And now for tight barns. Why will
practica! farmers continue to throw away
their money in building barns so tight
that the cattle cannot breathe in them.
so tight that the hay becomes musty,
and the horses become diseased with the
heaves
We have been recently informed that
a gentleman in Walpole has been build
ing barn so costly that but few farmers
could think of initiating it, The cost
was $4,000. Well, it was filled with
hay last summer, but 1t could not hold
hay. Soon after haying was over, the
owner went into his barn, and declared
that the hay was on fire. 1t actually
smoked so much that he thought sponta-
neous combustion must take place.
He ordered the mows to be overhauled,
and the sideboards to be opened to let
in air, His hay, of course, was nearly
spoiled, and would be worthless without
removal.
1t is cruel to keep cattle tied up in
cold barns, as many have done, where
drafts of air pass through, and the frost
freezes hard the manure behind them.-
But the poorest farmer can prevent this,
if he has ingenuity enough to place his
principal hay-mow on the cold sides Of
his barn, to stop all draft of air through
it..
The hay may be dealt out in winter in
such way as to leave that portion of the
NOW on the cold side or sides untouched
till mild weather comes. A hay-cutter
will leave the NOW in good trim.
The wall boards of barns should not
be jointed. 1t is loss of labor and OF
lumber to make the edges straight by
planning or joining Good barn boards
will come together by means Of u small
iron bar.
Boar DIS put on in this way will keep
the snow out, and let little air in
enough to keep hay from spelling ard
cattle from catching fevcrs.