Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-03-01
Agrifnltnral.
Barn Yards.

In the construction of barn yard many
farmers seem to think that little, or no
planning and skill is necessary. They
generally build their barns without any
regard to the yard, whether it is to be on
the east west, north or south side. The
yard, however is quite as important as the
barn, and should be so situated that the
manure in it will not escape, and run Oft,
as is frequently the case, down some hill
There are farmers who think that a
stream of water, running directly through
their barn yards, for watering stock, IS
good thing, whereas it is the worst place
for one that can be limagined, taking the
saving of the liquid manure into consldera-
ton as a large portion. of 1t must, OF course,
find its way into the stream, and pass oil
where it does no good to any one.
great desideratum, IN constructing a
barn yard, is the preservation of the man
ure and for that purpose, it should be eX-
cavated in a bowl-like shape, on gentle
declination from the circumference to the
centre, and the bottom made tight with
clay made into mortar, while applying 1t,
so that the liquids of the yard will not
leach down into the subsoil and be lost.
Such yard is an excellent receptacle for
manure, VIII, re it may lie over a season, it
ferment and decay, and be in good condi-
tion to apply to land
Into such a yard compost may be
made to great advantage, by carting in
muck, leaves, and anything upon a farm
that may be gathered up to decay, placing
such things in layers, and covering each
with layer of stable manure all to be
mixed by the tramp of cattle in the yard
No farmer can put too much manure into
such yard provided he keep it well GOV.
cred Sith coarse litter to prevent evapora'
ton of the gases (ammonia) which are con.
stantly seeking opportunity to pass off into
the atmosphere These gases are to the
manure what blood is to the system-the
life of them and to allow them to escape,
is throwing away the foundation Of all
success in agriculture.
1t is often said that manures keep best
under cover but that is not the case,
except in comparison with the ruinous
practice adopted by some farmers, who
throw their manure out Of their stables
into heaps, where the rains wash large
portion Of their virtues away where no
good is done by them. Manure in yard
as above stated, when well covered with
straw or other coarse litter, is actually
under corer, and in 4 better condition than
it would be under shed, where it would
be liable to injury from lack Of moisture.
Another Important consideration, in con-
structing barn yard, is the protection OF
stock from the cold north and west winds
and the south side, consequently, is the
best side of the barn to have it
Stock that arc well housed i'll winter,
and have warm sheds to run under, when
not in the stables, will keep in good condi-
ton on much less fodder, than when they
stand exposed to the raw, chilling blasts,
from the north and west in the winter
season; and the owner actually saves
about Onethird of the fodder they would
require, if turned into Il yard facing the
north or west
Farmers, you should do more head ,cort
than you are accustomed to do, if you
would be prosperous in your business. 1t
is not alwys the hardest lc0rtiag farmers
who make the most money; but generally
those who use their brains often, when
their hands are idle