The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-01-24
Ghe 9armer,
Roof Over Your Barnyard.

man. can remember when most of the cows
and other cattle in this section were win
tered out of doors. He remembers when
the first dairy barns were built to shelter
cows. and how many old farmers thought
them an extravaganza. But one by one
they followed suit. until now no one thinks
of wintering animals unshclcrcd unless
it may be some colts or young stock run
ming around straw rick. There has
been decided prugrcsS in this line, almost
complete revolution, within % years.
There is much the same advancement in
the care of manure and farm tools. &c
ment floors and eavcs-troughs on the barn
are getting to be quite common. In level
localities many are drawing out the manure
fresh during the winter and spreading it.
Around here, now. one seldom secs manure
thrown out under the caves: it is more
often wheeled out and piled. Tools and
wagons are kept under cover much more
than they were as long ago as IN years
even. Our farmers are getting more
thoughtful in regard to the wastes in these
lines, and have better facilities for prevent
ing them Quite few farmers have now
got water in their barns or yards, thus
saving much more manure that they form
erly allowed 10 20 TO waste in lanes and
around ponds and creeks.
So far, 50 good; but now there are hun
dreds of these progressive men who read
the papers who ought to advance Il step
further They ought to put roof over
their barnyard This would end all pos
sible loss to their manure from teaching
while in the yard. 1t is fitting adjunct
to cement floors in the stable and water at
the barn. 1t is the finishing touch that
would bring perfection in manure saving
ON many farms. 1t lifts one out of the
mud and filth of the open yard to compar-
ative cleanliness and higher civilization.
1t is a complete place for running in tools
and wagons temporarily during the work
ing season, if one does not have cattle in
the yard then. Not only are the manure
piles and old lumber piles, too, sheltered
but thrv are hidden from outside view
thus giving ones place a ncatcr and more
refined appearance.
We added to our covered yard this SUN
mer, until now it is about 81 by 6J feet
and answers our purpose most perfectly
1t will hold 200 or more loads OF manure
spread evenly on the ground, without its
being in the way at all. If well trampleC
and plastercd on the surface, our manure
can lie there until wanted, practically with
ont any loss. 1t is graded so as to b,
somewhat lower than the stables, Sigh
basin, which would take perhaps 100 loads
of tramped manure to level up. 1t docs
not interfere at all with using it as a sheC
to shelter tools and wagons, even If ther,
were 200 loads of manure there. WhcI
we wheel out our manure We cover lightly
with straw (all under the same roof an(
dry and handy to GET to keep the var,
clean. 1t is planked up six feet high al
around and open five feet above that. |
is situated in southeast corner, bcin;
sheltered by main barn to the west an,
dollhouse on the north. Thus the SUI
shines in NEST of the morning, in tn,
winter, making it Il delightful place 70
horses and cattle to get exercise and drink
There is water in the yard, of course.
The entire cost of yard has been les
than $500. 1t is simply Il nearly fiat I'll
roof supported by posts and the othe
buildings. Wherever post would be i
the way the beams are trussed up by iro
rods. There are three ways We can driv
out of or into this yard. We never unhitc
from any tool or wagon outside any moro
but drive right in. 1t takes good man
costly tools to farm to the best advantag
now. 1t would not take much carelcs
exposure of these and the wagons to max
loss equal in season to the wear on thi
roof Many well-to-do farmers lose NOR
every year, from not having perfectly con
venient shelter | can show you plenty o
manure piles out doors that lose more in
season than the interest on my shed, sa
$50 year, and they could be put in Their
and not be in the way at all. And NOR
than that, there would be perhaps 80 ton
less water to haul out 10 the field from
under my roof, which would partly pay
the interest again. The manure keep
Just as we'll without the water, when mad
on cement floors, 50 as to be saturated will
urine.
have tried this covered yard and kno,
what am talking about. 1t is entircl
practical | do not find single objection
10 it. 1t is an improvement that give
perfect satisfaction. If it had cost trebl,
what it did, it would still, l think, pay il
dollars and cents on my farm. fla cyclon,
should steal it away it would be rebuilt
Immediately. Having once enjoyed it
use, and having been able to control al
teaching of manure, we could not go bach
to the old way any more than We coulC
winter our animals in the woods. Prob
ably 100 farmers have been here to SCI
this covered yard, and every man has sale
it was Just the thing. Some come with
the expectation of seeing a much larger
yard. | would not build very large
Ours would hold the manure from 30 OIL
even 40 animals, and would let out, say IL
at once, to drink and play, rather than
build a great yard and turn them all out
at once. | would not try to fit the roof to
old notions, but my notions to fair sized
yard. Any of our readers who have the
money to spare may rest assured that if
they have use for such yard, they will
find it an investment that will give cverlast-
ing satisfaction It viii be a step up that
they will never want 10 retrace. 1t would
doubtless pay on some farms to borrow
money to roof small yard. But this |
cannot advise about. did not build mine
until could pay for it. Perhaps this is
not a good business policy et may be wise
to borrow money when one can make or
save largely l,y il, but Il is a way have
always had
This matter came to my mind today,