The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-08-03
TOPICS FOR FARMERS.
English Farmyards.--The Rural

English Farmyards.--The Rural Ne,o
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 a hay-knife to the
extent of three or four feet, and the top
surmountod by tapering and pic
turesque covering of haulm sufficient to
Withstand the heaviest rain-storm and
effectually resist the inclemencies of
winter. The grain stacks English ag-
riculturalsts 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 NOV.
These, too, are protected by a 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,
though almost invariably by steam
power. One of the greatest stack yard
conveniences-indeed, in a climate so
noted for its changeability, an almost
indispensable adjunct-is the patent
Rick Cover" an appliance calculated
in some degree to obviate the ill-effects
OF transforms. 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' G 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 their
different estates, of one uniform color, so
that persons cognizant of the fact may
tell at glance, to whom homestead or
close land belongs. The color adopted
by Sir Charles Mordaunt on his West of
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 for
health or pleasure; but mature expert.
ence has shown the ad visibility of build
ing at distance sufficiently removed
that the effluvia arising from the con-
finement of large number of cattle
may not contaminate the air one breathes
and this rule is now universally adopted
As precautionary measure against pos
sible contingencies, it is customary foi
some one, lantern in hand, to examine
all the cattle before retiring, and though
the isolation of their quarters involves
an extra walk of hundrt yards or so
the drawback is more than counterbal
anced by the benefit derived in a sani
tary point of view.
Cheap Fruit ROOms.-There are some
patented lighthouses that cost thousands
of dollars, and for the privilege Of
building them hundreds are sometimes
charged. Farmers or farming neigh
borhoods want something cheaper, Judg,
Stinzel stated at the meeting of thu
Pennsylvania Fruit-growers' Society
that gentleman of Reading has build
ing holding three thousand bushels anc
keeping Pound" apples until October
of the following year, and greening
until July. He charges fifteen cents PEE
bushel for keeping his neighbors' apples
The building is of wood, above ground
and ice keeps the temperature nearl,
down to freezing, the ice being stored
above the ceiling is water-tight to pre-
} vent moisture. The space in the wall
is filled with tan. The apples are il
two-bushel boxes, so placed that the bot
{ tom of one is the lid of the next below
The house cost three hundred and fit,
, dollars. Mr.. Engle built a house, hal
under ground, the body of the house be
ing twelve feet deep. A part of the I'm
: foreground space is partitioned off by
, slanting division He finds no difficult,
in keeping fruit the year round. Tn
ice is carefully packed perfectly tight
5 and the sides are watched to fill any va
cancy or crevice. Ice overhead is bet
ter than this, but more expensive
r Mr.. Tracy buried the barrels of fruit il
the ground, covering lightly with earth
He has buried maiden's blush in autumn
and kept them till April, and greenin
till June.
ITEMS FOR FIELD AND HOUSE,