The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-07-25
TOPICS ZOE FARMERS

English Earinyards.-The Rural Neso
Yorker says that perhaps the first object
in an English barn-yard to arrest the at
tention of an American observer would
be the appearance of the stock-barton.
Every hay-stack is neatly raked and
pulled up by hand, so as to present
firm front to the weather; the bottom
is beveled out with hay-knife to the
extent of three or four feet, and the top
surmountod by a tapering and pic
turesque covering of haulm sufficient to
withstand the heaviest rain-storm and
efectually resist the inclemencies of
winter. The grain stacks English ag-
riculturalists seldom preserve their pro-
duce in covered barns, as is the custom
here) are for the most part constructed
on an elevated straddle, SUPPORTED at
the four angles by hewn stone pillars
surmounted by caps of the same mate
rial, but of much greater diameter, so as
to prevent rats and other vermin that
cannot progress in an inverted
position from getting into the NOW
These, too, are protected By covering of
haulm, and remain in position until a
convenient time arrives for threshing,
which operation is performed by an
itinerate fraternity, as in this country,
hough almost invariably by steam
power. One of the greatest stack yard
conveniences-indeed, in climate so
noted for its changeability, an almost
indispensable adjunct-is the patent
"Rick Cover" an appliance calc lated
in some degree to obviate the ill-efects
of rain-storms. These articles are made
of various sizes to suit every require
ment, the covering being of waterproof
canvas, suspended tentwise upon a
cross-bar pendant between two uprights.
he whole is elevated and kept in posi-
ton by means of pulleys, the operation
of erecti or taking down occupying
but few minutes, while the canvas can
be raised or lowered at will, as the prog
ress of the stack necessitates. Another
noticeable feature is the barns and out
buildings-solid structures of brick or
limestone, covered by roofing of tile or
slate. These also present, if not hand.
some, at least trim appearance, the
doors and woodwork being neatly
painted, and the approaches well-stoned
add free from filth. Among many land
owners custom prevail s of painting the
out-buildings, gates and fences, on theil
different estates, of one uniform color, sc
that persons cognizant of the fact may
tell at glance. to whom homestead OF
close land belongs. The color adopted
by Sir Charles Mordaunt on his West O.
England estates is deep dark-red, the
material employed being patent ready
mixed application, which has pleasing
effect. In some cases, where the farm
buildings have been erected many years
they are found very near the dwelling
house-indeed too contiguous either fo
health or pleasure; but mature expert
ence has shown the advisability of build
ing at distance sufficiently removed
that the efluvia arising from the con
) finement of large number of cattl
may not eontaminate the air one breathes
and this rule is now universally adopted
. As precautionary measure against pos
sible contingencies, it is customary fo
some one, lantern in hand, to examin
all the cattle before retiring, and thoug
the isolation of their quarters involve
an extra walk of hundred yards or 81
the drawback is more than counterba
anced by the benefit derived in san
tary point of view.