The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1886-03-13
THE BARN-YARD.
Arranging 1t So as to Secure the Protec-
ton and Comfort of Animals.


Few farmers place sufficiently high
estimate on the value of good barn.
yard, and accordingly they give little at
tention to its location, the manner of in
closing it and rendering it COM
Portable for the animals that spend
much of their time in it. In many
cases they are at little pains to so ar
range it that it serves the purpose Of
making and preserving manure. In ar
ranging barn-yard the first considers
ton should be insuring the comfort of
the animals that are kept in it, and it
should be remembered that most ami
mails kept on farms pass more than half
their lives in the barn-yard. 1t is not
practical to make pleasure-ground
of the barn-yard; but it is practical to
make it a comfortable place in which
animals will enjoy staying, and from
which they will not strive to make
their escape. To render it comforta-
BILE portion of its surface should be
quite high and dry, so that animals
can stand or lie in it without becom-
ing wet and dirty. The plan of having
one side of the barn-yard elevated a
foot or more above the remaining
portion is a good one, and one that
is easily carried out. If there is No
natural decline, stones or timbers can
be placed across a portion of the yard
and the space back of it can be filled to
the required height with sand or clay.
Protection from wind and snow should
no fho nd IS
very important one in the Northwest.
The barn and other farm buildings
should have the entire or chief protec-
ton on the west side, as the worst
winds generally come from that direc-
ton. Protection on the other sides should
be secured by means of sheds and tight
fences. The best fence for farm-yard
is one made of strong posts and boards.
A wire fence is very Objectionable, as it
affords no protection against the wind,
allows the snow to blow through it,
while the barbs on the wire are very
likely to injure animals that are pushed
against it, as they are likely to be in the
contests that are going on when many
animals are confined in somewhat linn
tied quarters. A good fence, somewhat
end, can be constructed of strong posts,
in which scantlings are inserted near
the top and bottom, to which boards
seven or eight feet long are attached in
an upright position. Such fence keeps
out the drifting snow and breaks the
force of the wind. Cattle that stand or
lie near it will be comfortable, provid-
ing rain is not falling. Their fodder
will not be blown about if it is placed
next to such fence.
A fence of this kind can be utilized to
form one side of a long shed. If sap
lings can be obtained they can be placed
in line in the ground twelve or more
feet from the fence and a support for
poles nailed to them at the proper
height. On this poles can be run to the
top of the fence and on them a roof of
straw can be made. A shed of this kind
will cost but very little, while it will do
much toward affording comfort to the
animals confined in the farm-yard. A
better shed can be made by using cedar
posts and scantling for supports and by
making the roof of boards and battens.
With little doubt the cheapest and best
roof could be made of rough boards and
building paper covered with coal tar,
rosin and gravel The roofs of many
buildings in large towns are now made
of these materials and they give excel
lent satisfaction; but the art of making
them has not extended into the country.
Although a well-constructed barn or
stable is necessary for the protection of
work-horses and dairy COWS during the
winter, good shed will afford ali the
protection needed for ordinary store
cattle, and in the majority of cases they
prefer it to the barn. as it allows them
more liberty.
Of course the barn-yard should be
well supplied with water. 1t is not nee
essary, however, that the well that sup
plies the water or the pump that raises
it be located in the yard. There are
many good reasons for having the well
outside of the yard. Its water would be
less likely to be contaminated, and it is
more pleasant to draw water from a
well that is not in BARNARD. It is !
very easy to convey water from a well
that is outside the yard to a trough that |
is within it. 1t is much better to have
the watering trough under an open shed
than in an exposed place near the GEN.
ter of the yard. If it is under a shed
snow will not accumulate about it and
make it difficult for animals to get a
drink. If there are more animals of
different kinds to be supplied with f!
water it is much better to have more
than one drinking place By having |
several troughs the danger of crowding !
and hooking is obviated. 1t is a good !
plan to have all the troughs filled with |
water before cattle and horses are let |!
out of the barn and stable in the morn
ing, as they generally seek to obtain a !
drink as soon as they are released.
A portion of the barn-yard should be /
devoted to the making and storing of |
manure. During the summer the drop
pings of the cattle should be thrown on
this place every morning. By adopting
this plan the larger portion of the yard |
can be kept clean for cows to lie in.
Clean milk can not be secured without
great trouble if COWS can not lie down !
without coming in contact with their
droppings. By insuring the rotting of
the coarse fodder that is thrown out to
stock, but which is not eaten, a portion
of the yard should be comparatively
low, so that it will catch and hold the
liquid manure and the wash of the
dung. The hay, straw and corn-stalks
that are rejected by cattle will absorb
these liquids and be converted into ex-
ceilent fertilizers. The manure-heap in
the barn-yard can receive additions from
the dwellings and the poultry-houses.
Ashes and soap-suds should be thrown
upon it instead of being deposited in the
street or near the house. If the ma