Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-14

or half-inch, due to the swelling and
contracting OF tho fibers OF the wood.
! These nails should be gone over and
rcdrivcn. But do not drive them too
deeply into the roofing. SO that they
| break or cut tho fabric. 1t is also n
good plan to paint tho seams with
asphalt roofing paint. unless the whole
roof requires painting. Remember.
that roof of questionable integrity
may shed rain satisfactorily. but snow
and slush are likely to penetrate IL.
AS soon as the outer coating of
patent roofing commences to wear. il
should he painted. And il these roofs
are painted once year they will last
almost indefinitely. If repairs to patent
roofing arc put off until cold weathcrt
in walking over the material when ii
is cold and brittle there is danger %;
breaking il. The middle of the day.
when the sun is shining on tho roof
is the best time to work. II possible.
wear rubber-soied shoes. or II leather
ones. don't turn on your heels.
BE Sure of the Ventilation.
1t is presumed the hen houses face
the south, which is the proper expo
sure. hence the north and end walls
should be made absolutely draft-proof
especially in the way of roosting quar-
tiers. IL they could be hcrmetiCally
sealed on these three walls. SO much
tho better. At least nail wooden bat
tens Oath is a convenient and economi-
cal materially over all cracks and
crcriccs and under the caves. Because
tho lumber is tongue and groove ma
terial does not insure the wall against
cracks Matched lumber covered with
single ply patent roofing makes one
OF tho best and cheapest walls for
poultry houses. This construction is in
use on many OF the largest commercial
plants.
Perhaps certain building was damn
or insuthciently ventilated the proceed
ing season Do not take another
chance on it this year Remodel the
house If necessary; install more cur
tain frames in the south wall Abou.
one-third of the area of this wall
should consist Of curtain frames. or
openings in which curtains can be
htted in times OF driving storms In
southern climates. where there is very
little snowfall. curtains are not neces-
Sary. but the houses should have omen
fronts. Do not install too many glass
nit sunlight. but too much glass makes
the house cold One-third glass. one
third curtains and one-;hird solid par
tition is a good proportion for houses
having the latitude of Philadelphia
Omaha and Denver
Litter and busting Material.
If YOU have not already done so. DC.
tober is the last chance to lay away a
stock OF litter or scratching material
for the winter. also road dust or dry
dirt for the busting boxes. Better stock
up now while straw is in abundance and
prices are reasonable. Later on. when
the farmers have depleted their straw
stacks. the dealers prices will soar
Some breeders use dry leaves for litter
From my eXperince they are not WORTH
much. They soon break up. and what
is worse, they are likely TO contain
leaf mold. which sometimes affects the
fowls eyes.
Planer shavings make a fairly good
material for litter, though there is
nothing equal to straw Excelsior is
an excellent stun for the nests, and
Il is cheap. Replcnish the nests often
ard thus avoid so.ied eggs.
II YOU want good way to dispose
OF your coal ashes. put them in II box
IN the hen house. The fowls will pick
them over. dust in them. and eat some
OF the particles for grit. They are good
grit AID will contribute some OF tn,
material for eSgshells Wood ashes
IT al nice dus; bath except that they
destroy the gloss to the plumage. They
VIII serve more useful purpos. in
the garden. If used on the droou:nyr
boards as an absorbent. wood ashe.
teha 10 hherate the ammonia In the