St. Landry democrat., 1882-01-07
farm Buildings.


II stitch in time ever saves nine, ii
rs when the principle is applied to farm
buildings When decay begins it is
very rapid in its progress unless imme-
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 a 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 i'm
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
Der is valuable, and we must stop it's
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 a house or any other
building as 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
SUMS rays, there is 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 and 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 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
efits, either named or suggested, is that
of appearance, which is very great
one. We have in mind now naturally
pretty farm, on which there is not
perfect building, or a perfect fence on
the premises. Some time in the past
thirty OF forty years ago-the most of
them were in good condition, but they
have been permitted to fall to pieces,
until the farm is disgrace to the neigh
borhood. Now all this decay did not
occur at once, nor in any one month Or
in any one year. 1t is the result of
years of shameful neglect. First one
board fell off and then another; one rail
was dislodged and then another; one
window pane was broken and then an
other, and no attempt at repairs were
made. If every board that fell had
been replaced at once, as a matter of
course, there could have been no such
scene of desolation as there is now pre-
sented. Let us all act upon the prin-
ciple, that stitch in time saves nine.-
HeStey., RuY1I