Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1919 — BETTER BARNS NOW THE RULE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BETTER BARNS NOW THE RULE

Farmers Going More and More to Better Type. DESIGN THAT IS FAVORITE Erect House* for Live Stock and Winter Supply of Feed That Keep Animals at Their BeetProfit Producer. Mr. William A. Radford win answer qu ration* and give advice FREE OF CCBT on all subject* pertaining to the subject of building work on the fam, for the reader* of thia paper. On account of hi* wide experience a* Editor, Author and Manufacturer, he I*. without doubt, th* highest authority on all these subject*. Addrear all Inquiries to William A. Radford. No. 1827 Prairie avenue, Chicago, II!., and only Inclose throe-cent stamp for reply. Everywhere throughout the country the farmers this year are going more and more to the modern type of barn —a barn that will keep their live stock In the best of health and at their highest point of productivity all winter. Such barns cost more than the old-fashioned, loosely constructed

buildings, but in the end they more than pay for themselves. Warm animals produce mo* from the feed they consume for the simple reason that the nourishment is not required to keep them warm. While it is a long time until winter, now is the time to build barns, houses and the other buildings the modern up-to-date farm requires. Foresight, someone has said, is better than hindsight. This’ is true in planning the sort of bars to be erected this year. By taking into consideration the facts that the successful farmers have found during their experience, the modern farmer will profit In the end. These facts are that good houses are the most important feature in making dairying profitable. Illustrated here is the type of barn the modern farmer erects. It is what is known as a plank-frame barn, one constructed of lumber, but framed on the foundation, rather than on the ground. The latter type was popular in the days of the "barn-raising bees." This is the most economical type of construction, and, at the same time, provides the best sort of a weatherproof barn for the live stock. The dimensions of this barn are 42 by 72 feet, which Is amply large for

tne average farm. The floor plan shown is designed to accommodate ten milch cows and twelve horses, besides considerable loose stock. This can be changed, however, to suit the needs of the owner. For Instance, one end of the barn can be partitioned off so as to have the horses separate from the cows, which is required by the pure food laws of some states. When this is done, as much or as little space can be set aside for the horses as is wanted, and the balance devoted to the cow stable. This barn has an exceptionally attractive- exterior appearance and will make a fine addition to any farm building group. It is of the gambrel-roof type, which provides a large amount of mow space. The building is set on a concrete foundation, with a concrete stable floor. The balance of the building is of wood. As in most modern barns the stalls are placed so that the anmals face in. Through the center of the building runs the feed alley, wide enough for a wagon to be driven through. This gives the owner an opportunity to carry the grain feed by wagon directly to the feed bin, from which it is distributed by an overhead carrier directly to the mangers. Along one side of the building, back of the horse stalls

la a litter »W- The overhead carrier track is extended over thia part of the barn, which makes the work of removing the manure easy. In the arrangement of the stalls here shown, the cows face each other at the end of the barn. Between the stalls la a feed alley, while litter alleys run back of each row of stalls. The hay chute la located in the center of the building with the feed bin. Each stall la equipped with modern stanchions, which give the animate much frej, dom and at the same time bold them securely, while at each stall la an individual drinking cup. Gutters are sunk Into the concrete floor back of each row of atelia. Tb« water system 18 used to flush these dally, as well as the floor, thus keeping the stable floor clean and wholesome. This bam provides three features that all animate need to be kept healthy and at their highest point of productivity. They are sunlight, fresh air and fresh water. It will be noted that there are many windows ranged along each side of the building. These admit quantities of sunlight, and are at a height that will permit the sun’s rays to hit the litter alley. Sunlight Is nature’s greatest germ killer, and by admitting the sunshine there Is less danger of the spread of disease among the animate. On the ridge of the building are two ventilators, which are connected with foul air shafts leading out of the stable. These ventilators suck put the foul air, which Is replaced by

fresh air. The fresh air is admitted at a height that prevents the animals from being in a draft. The drinking cups at the stall provide the cows and horses with fresh water at all times. Water makes milk, and those who have put In water cups have been surprised at the amount of water a cow will consume while standing In the barn, and at the Increase In the amount of milk she will give. The mow floor Is clear of obstruction In this type of a barn, the roof being supported by v rafters only. A carrier track Is run\tlong the ridge and out underneath the gable at the front. The door drops down out of the way, and the hay Is mowed away by power. While no silo Is shown In this illustration, one Is put up In connection with most modern barns, as It has been discovered that the animals thrive on silage, while at the same time less hay Is consumed. Hay demands a good price In the grain- market, while there is no sale for corn stalks. A silo adds to the farmer’s income. While the cost of building now is higher than It was before the war, the farmer gets so much more for his products In proportion that he cannot

afford to put off building. As was said at the beginning, a modern barn is a profit producer. It will increase the milk production and will keep his highpriced animals healthy. Prices of materials now have been stabilized. That is, there will be no change in them during the year. There is no reason why every farmer should not have the new buildings he needs. And nofr is the time to build them.