Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 December 1877 — Sheds for Stock. [ARTICLE]

Sheds for Stock.

To realize the best returns from all ry to shelier them well,"else~Tt~ wilT take much extra food to keep them up to the prdper degree of heat to resist the cold and put on any extra fat. Judging from the numbers but indifferently housed, one would naturally suppose this- fact was but partially understood, though those who do understand it, and who profit by the knowledge," are the ones, other things being in unison, who receive the greatest percentage of profit from their stock. It is all very nice, if you possess the requisite means, to build elaborate houses for your horses, cows, sheep, swine, etc., yet the number of farmers who are able to do this are in the minority, and the others must content themselves with something which is no doubt equally effective and serviceable, though far less expensive. Young farmers who stait on limited and have to depend principally on their brains and muscles to enable them to make a profit on their farming, have to wait until the future for weFlbuilt, handsome barns and other outbuildings —till the farm has returned enough qrrofit to warrant such an outlay. But this fact should not prevent an effort being made to provide winter shelter for the cows and other stock, if barn and shed-room already on the farm is not ample for the accommodation of all the stock. And right here will muscles come into play to secure the required shelter, and thus save a cash outlay. Against the side of the barn, in the barnyard, or some convenient inclosure, or against the high board fence which may inclose one side of the barnyard, build a skeleton shed, by planting crotched sticks (timbers) obtained from the woods. In these crotches lay other timber sticks strong enough to bear considerable weight. On these lay old rails about a foot apart. You now have your skeleton sbed and require the roof, which is made with corn fodder, which is neatly piled on the rails, from six to ten or fifteen feet thick. This makes a most excellent protection, at the same time having the fodder in a convenient place for feeding during the winter. If the fodder has been placed properly, so as to shed the rain, out little of it will be damaged." By making the shed deep and not too high—merely high enough for a man to walk under comfortably at its lowest place—and also built against the south or warm side of the buildin" or fence, the animals will have a comfortable place to winter under. They can go under at pleasure by having it open in front, and during mild days can be fed in the barnvard, while in stormy weather the fodder and other food can be fed under the shed. We have seen temporary pig pens thus made, and they answered admirably, being warm and comfortable. * we have seen colts wintered under just such sheds, and they came out, in the spring, as strong and hearty as could be wished for. Cor. Practical Farmer.