Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1918 — STABLE FITTINGS WORTH THOUGHT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

STABLE FITTINGS WORTH THOUGHT

Animals That Are Comfortably Housed Are Money Makers for the Farmer. AIR AND LIGHT IMPORTANT Two Requisites That Are Too Frequently Not Given Sufficient Attention —Some Suggestions for Constructing Sanitary Barn. Mr. William A. Radford will answer questions and give advice FREE OF COST on all subjects pertaining to the subject of building work on the far in, for the readers of this paper. On account of his wide experience as Editor, Author and Manufacturer, he is, without doubt, the highest authority on all these subjects. Address all inquiries to William A. Radford, No. 1827 Prairie avenue, Chicago, 111., and only Inclose three-cent stamp for reply. By WILLIAM A. RADFORD. The sensible farmer realizes that stables are for housing animals from the weather, and also for feeding purposes. Covering them from the elements is a very simple matter. Feeding them takes more thought, because we must consider the labor of getting the feed to the animal and the toil of carrying the manure from the building. And we have to go further. Shutin animals require constant supplies of air and light —things they get in sufficient quantities when in the wild state. The problem, therefore, becomes one of Intelligent construction, convenience in arrangement and the regulation of the cost to one’s ability to pay. The latter is easily settled. Most farmers know what they can spend on

equipment, although what seems sometimes to be an expense is really a resource that enables them to make money faster. The farmer who builds must be guided largely by the relative costs of materials in his own vicinity, laying proper stress upon the future as to permanence, sanitation, fireproofing qualities, cost of upkeep and appearance. Three prime requisites should be never lost sight of ih building a stable: 1. The comfort and health of live stock. 2. The convenient arrangement to save time and labor in caring for stock. 3. Cleanliness. The stable should be reasonably warm in winter and cool in summer. It should have plenty of light and ventilation. Especially is good ventilation necessary in a cattle barn. A sanitary barn demands fresh air, sunlight, good drainage and protection against sudden changes of temperature, The winter ventilation can be provided for by the King system of ventilation. Light is one of the most important considerations in stable management. A generous supply of it is needed in

the cow stable. In the majority of dairy farms there is a sad lack of sunlight. The old-fashioned basement barns with a few small windows near the top of the wall allowed only a little sunshine, and that to reach a very small area in the center of the barn where it was not particularly wanted. The room in which milk is handled should be separate from the stable. The floor and walls should be such that the hose can be turned on then* and the whole cleaned thoroughly. The single stalls for cows should be 3 feet 6 inches wide at least. The depth may be varied as to the size of the cows in the herd; 4 feet 6 inches is used by many. The market offers large numbers of patented stalls and mangers, and devices for tying cows. There are strong reasons for favoring metal stall fittings. The fall to the stall should not be over two inches in ten feet. The distance from the manger curb to gutter for a 1,300-pound cow should be about 5 feet, and 4 feet 6 inches for a 700pound cow. The stalls should be about 3 feet 6 inches wide. Some firms make adjustable stanchions that set the. short animal back. The gutter is 14 inches wide and 6 inches deep. _ The manger is planned to be 2 feet wide and 6 1 inches deep, with slightly rounded corners, the front sloping at an angle of 45 degrees and the bottom being two inches higher than the floor of the stalls. Many manufacturers of stable fittings advise a manger 2 feet 6 inches from inside wall to the curb. The curb to be 3 Inches and the front wall slants so as to allow the attendant’s feet to go under. Galvanized mangers are made. Cement generally is favored for the bottoms. Water bowls are placed so that one bowl serves two cows. The calf and bull pens should be about 10 feet by 10 feet, although some allow the bull a 10 by 12 pen. Recent improvements make the bull pen a thing of safety, as a manger wiih a stanchion device goes with it, so that

the bull may be secured and the pole snapped into his nose ring with do risk. The locking devices for the gates are well-nigh perfect and It might pay to study all makes before final action. The most convenient stable floor is undoubtedly eement. Where hay is stored above, the ceiling floor should be tight, of matched lumber, to prevent seeds and dirt sifting down. Feed blns and chutes should be located as near to the mixing box as possible. Hay chutes should be so managed that the hay can be gotten from the mow to the floor without filling the air with dust and without littering the alleys and feedroom with dirt Canvas chutes for conveying bedding will be found convenient. These can be folded and hung back out of the way when not In use. Cases for harness should be provided convenient to horses. A workroom for repair of harness and farm implements should be either in the barn or in a separate building. Iron rings should be placed in the walls at places where they will be coo* venient < w -

Section through hollow tile horse and cow barn, showing framing for selfsupporting roof. The tile walls extend clear up to the eaves. The purlin braces come down to the floor joists and are tied to the ends of the truss <?hord above at the plate line by means of two pieces of 2 by 12 for each truss. This takes the outward thrust away from the top of the tile wall.