The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1909-06-23

FIG. XXXI-ONE OF III BEST TYPES OF
FARM A
distance, If the yards and manure
piles are on the side away from the
house, as they should be.
The basement type of barn, though
in use to some extent, is not very pop
ular, even on farms where it can be
easily built. The lower part is damp
and dark, and it is difficult to secure
proper drainage. These disadvantages
make it desirable to construct the
barn entirely above ground on a solid
foundation. On many farms there are
plenty Of "niggerheads," which can be
used as foundation material. The floor
should be of cement throughout. The
cost is but little more than that Of a
wooden floor, and it will last several
times as long. A cement floor is cold
and for this reason should be kept
well bedded. If this is done there can
be little objection to this kind Of a
floor, even for horses, although some
horse n prefer to cover the &C.
ment with a false floor of plank.
The remainder of the barn may be
u VI SCNCAu1 O1AcIcuC IQdLtIlulS, u
which wood, in spite Of its advancing
price, is still the cheapest and most
convenient. Next in order come &C.
ment blocks and tile brick. When last
ing qualities are taken into considera-
ton these are even preferable to wood.
A good single roof is very satisfac-
tory, though n of the many kinds
Of prepared roofing may be substitute
ed at a saving in cost and will proba-
bly, last just as long. In form the hip
roof is the best, as it costs but little
more and adds considerably to the ca
pacity Of the haymow. The plan Of
having the hay come down to the
ground in the center Of the barn is not
economical Of space and is liable to
aus the barn to spread. 1t is better
to obtain the extra hay room needed
by making the sides a little higher.
A small room in the barn which can
be used as a workshop for repairing
tools, harness and doing other "rainy
day jobs" will be found very handy.
1t Is always best to have the stock
face to the outside. This gives them
better light and ventilation and keeps
the stable walls from getting splat.
tered with manure If the barn is
located on a knoll where water from
surrounding ground cannot flow down
around 1t and provision is made for
carrying away the water from the
roof, little further drainage will be
needed. 1t is wasteful to allow the !
liquid MANURE to drain away and be !
lost, and it causes unnecessary work |
to drain it into a manure pit and haul |
It to the places where It Is needed
in a water tight wagon. A much
better plan Is to use bedding enough to
absorb 1t all. There will always be
plenty of this at hand in the form Of
straw, shredded fodder and spoiled
hay. By this plan all the fertilizing
value Of the liquid manure will be
saved with a small amount Of work.
A litter carrier or q wheelbarrow is |
a great help in cleaning out tho
stables. When O litter carrier Is used
the manure spreader may be left
standing In the yard and filed direct
from the carrier. Whenever 1t gets
full the manure may be hauled out
and spread where it is most needed. |
In this way 1t reaches the fields with a
small amount Of loss.
A point that should be looked after
IN the construction of the barn, and
one that is too often neglected, Is pro-
vision for sufficient light. Not only
does plenty Of light make the barn a
more convenient place to work, but 1t
also keeps the stock healthier by dis,
courag1ng the growth of bacteria. The
horse stable especially should be well
lighted, since horses are liable to have
their sight injured by being kept in q
dark barn.
Along with light should come plent: