Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-12-30
Farm Buildings.

III stitch in time ever saves nine, 1t
is when the principle is applied to farm
buildings. When decay begins it is
very rapid in its progress unless immo-
diately arrested. 1t requires but little
time, and frequently but single nail, to
replace board, and the beginning of
decay is arrested But one board is
often not very material, and its replace
ment, when it falls out of place, is
neglected. After while another fol-
lows, and by and by the building is in a
most dilapidated condition, to repair
which will take considerable time and
money. Most generally, however, every
board is material. 1t was originally put
in place for that reason, and when it is
off something or somebody will probably
suffer. Whoever or whatever may not
suffer, the owner will sooner or later.
If the board is off the house, or the Win
dows or doors are out of repair, the inn
perfect condition simply means larger
consumption of fuel, and perhaps, even
then, discomfort all through the winter.
If the latter, it is very unwise negligence
that produces it; and when unnecessary
fuel is consumed it signifies unnecessary
expense, and that is true whether we
have plenty of woodland or not. We
must conclude in this country that tim
ber is valuable, and we must stop its
waste in every conceivable way. While
we are advising tree-planting and for
est culture, we must advise tree-saving
and forest preservation. The woodpile
has not been valued as it should have
been by any of us, and when we make
drafts upon it to supply the defects in
the house, which frequently ten minutes
time and two or three nails would rem-
edy, we show no regard for its value
whatever. If this were all, however,
perhaps it would be well enough to let
the matter pass without comment. But
such defects in house or any other
building rs loose or missing boards, ex-
poses the structure to the storms, and
the result must be damage. Not unfre-
quently the rains and SHOWS beat in,
and the dampness being secure from the
sun $ rays, there is a continued moisture
and an ultimate rotting of the timbers.
If the defect is in the barns or cattle
sheds, the stock will certainly not be
benefited. Some writer has said that
timber is cheaper than hay aud grain,
, and where it exists in any quantity, that
is certainly true. 1t is very poor policy
for us to attempt to fill hole in the
, side of a barn with corn and hay, at
present prices anyhow; and if the ami
, nal heat is not kept up one way, it
must be kept up in another; the fires
. must be kept burning, and if the draft
is too great great deal of fuel will be
consumed. In addition to all these ben
efts, either named or suggested, is that
of appearance, which is very great
one. We have in mind now a naturally
. pretty farm, on which there is not a
q perfect building, or perfect fence on
i the premises. Some time in the past
thirty or forty years ago-the most Of
them were in good condition, but they
q have been permitted to fall to pieces
!. until the farm is disgrace to the neigh
borhood, Now all this decay did MOI
occur at once, nor in any one month ol
. in any one year. 1t is the result o
~ years of shameful neglect. First ont
I board fell OFF and then another; one raj
. was dislodged and then another; on,
. window pane was broken and then an
= other, and no attempt at repairs wer,
= made. If every board that fell hat
7 been replaced at once, as a matter o
course, there could have been no sucl
! scene of desolation as there is now pre-
+ sented. Let us all act upon the prin
/, ciple, that stitch in time saves nine.-
- Western Rural