CHEAP SHELTER FOR STOCK.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1516, 23 March 1882, Page 3

CHEAP SHELTER FOR STOCK.

A writer in an exchange makes the following valuable suggestion :—"I: — "I believe it is a generally admitted fact that all kinds of farm stock need, and are all the better for some kind of shelter and protection from the storms, cold, and winds of winter. If the shelter cannot be afforded as ornamental as wished, that can be no excuse for entire neglect to provide any. Seldom do we find a farm on which, conveniently located, there is not some sunny nook, protected wholly or in part from prevailing cold winds, and which, with a little labor or materials common on the farm, may be converted into much more comfortable quarters than the fence comer or the sunny side of a stack. Straw shelters may be made warm and comfortable wherever grain is grown. I have seen a rough frame put up and covered, sides and roof, with straw put on in courses and fastened to the timbers with bark, cords and straw, sheltering from rains, snow and wind better than the barns provided on many farms. The straw works best if kept, straight when threshed jancl any ingenious' young farmer can put up a rough frame and cover it in with straw, or even long grass from some swale of the farm or neighborhood. Where straw is wanting and pine or other evergreen trees are common, shelter may be constructed by covering with evergreens boughs, making a much better shelter than none, which, with, a little painstaking, can be made j quite comfortable for one season until the needles are shed. Where such temporary structures are provided they serve the purpose best if located behind some partial shelter of hills or trees, to break the wind, and where the sun may shine at midday unobstructediy. I recommend such makeshifts only where it is impracticable to provide better. I have seen stock wintered in quarters similar to the above described, which came through looking in spring as thrifty and well as others which had occupied good barns or stables. The expense of feed, was no ' more in the one case than in the other. Where such buildings have their sides covered with straw it is well to daub the sides with mud, or something to deter the cattle from pulling out and eating the covering.' ' Straw , shelters, where rightly constructed; will last many years, answering a purpose equal to more costly structures, not only as shelter-for stock, but also for storing farm.prbducts^ 4 •

The exports'bf from' New York for the week jenairig jDec. 20,, 1 881, we i re'£2 1 035;082' afeaWli £1,326,494 for the corresppndin^ Since Jamiaiy,lBBlTMe.expi)rjteamo^n^ed ; to £74,'73^948.>Mwjntf^a- de'creasei 0f£6,071,2'72 r as^«w t $b* tcorrespqnduig; time of 1880. * " frft' r\, >> . y j^

(For remainder qf news see fourth^ page-)