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SUGGESTIONS

FOB THE

SUB.DIYIDING AND MANAGEMENT OF A EARM

IN THE

SEIGNIORIES OF LOWER CANADA,

WITH

PLANS AND DESCRIPTION

A FARM, DWELLING HOUSE, DAIRY, FARM YARD, AND

FARM BUILDINGS.

PREPARED FOR THE LOCAL EXHIBITION AT MONTREAL, MARCH, 1855.

BY WILLIAM EVANS,

SHCaElAET AND TEEASUEEH, BOARD 01 AGEICUITUEE, lOWEE CANADA.

PLAK OF FARM GENERALLY ADOPTED UPON THE SEIGNIORIES OF LOWER CANADA.

The accompanying Plan of a Faira, No. 1, is that
■which gene>-ally prevails throughout the Seignioriea of
Lower Canada, and rarely exceeds from three to four
arpents in width, while it extends to from twenty to
over eixty arpents in length, jis the case may be.
This arrangement might have been very suitable at
the first settlement of the country, when the popula-
tion were few in number, and means of communica-
tion difficult, except along the courses of the rivers ;
but under the present circumstances of Canada^ I
conceive this plan is very objectionable, and neces-
sarily involves a considerable waste of time and
labour in the cultivation of farms of this form, that
art! out of all reasonable proportion long, in com-
parison to their width, and generally with the house
and farm buildings situated at the extremity. As,
however, there is not a probability that any material
change can now be introduced in this defective ar-
rangement, it only remains for us to adopt such im-
provements as may be in our power, in the divlilon,
draining, and general management of these farms.
With this view I give a Plan, No. 2, made out in
accordance with my suggestions on this subject, pub-
lished many years ago in my Treatise on Agriculture.
The Plan No. 2 shows the alterations I then, and
now, submit for consideration,

PROPOSED SUBDIVIDING AND FENCING OF FAHM9.

Fencing, next to implements and suitable build-
ings, is in most situations indispensable to tae profit-
able management of arable land. On all arable farms
on which cattle and sheep are pastured, the case
security, and comfort, which good fences give, botli
to the owner and to the animals themselves, are too
evident to require particular notice.

The situation of fences on a farm depends upon a
variety of circumstances, as the extent of the farm,
the inequalities of surface, the nature of the soil, and
on the course of husbandry to be followed.

Canadian farmers have almost invariably divided
the cultivated part of each farm by a fence, through
the middle from one extremity to the other, making
each division about the square of one arpent and a
half in width, the road of communication to the dif-
ferent parts of the farm and pasture being along this
dividing fence. The first change I would propose aa
to fencing would be, that in every cas» where the
farms would not exceed four or even five acres in
width, th'2 middle fence should be removed to th»
one side or other, and the road of communication to
the different fields, and waste lands, if there are any,
enclosed by this fence on the one side of every farm.

The rotation that may be adopted, should be the
rule for dividing a furiu into fieida. A farm of sup«-

rior soil, or even of Moderate quality, might be di-
Tided into six fields of nearly equal size, if circum-
8tancc3 will admit of doing so advantageously; but
on some farms where the lands are not of the same
qualify, and where they are broken by portions un
fit for cultivation, it would be well to separate each
quality, particularly any part unfit for cultivation,
and incapable of profitable improvement, should be
fenced off for pasture, if of an exteut to make it
worth while to do so. If, in regularly dividing the
arable land of a farm, an acre or two of a different
or inferior soil should happen to mingle in the same
field, it might be readily improved at a slack time
of the year. If such spots be of a light quality, some
of the strong soil contiguous could bo carted on it,
and if the prevailing soil of the field be light, the
plan may be reversed. When small portions of an
enclosure are low, the cleaning of drains, or other
earth, might be carted on it, in many cases, at an ex-
pense that would be repaid by one crop; but I
would by no means recommend the expenditure of
ong shilling in the improvement of lands, where
there is any doubt of the expense being refunded.

On farms of a light quality of soil, the cultivatible
land might b- divided into nine fields of equal size,
subject to the same exceptions as those above ex-
plained. Two or three small enclosures would bo
necessary near the farm buildings, for horses, calves,
pigs, &c. These fields might, in the first instance, be
separated by open ditches for carrying off the surface
water. These open ditches should be hollowed out in
such a manner that the plough might cross them with-
out difiiculty ; and the earth taken out should be carted
off to hollow places, spread on the surface of the land^
or placed ih a heap for compost. There would then
be no danger of these drains filling up from the sides
falling in ; they would iook well, answer the purpose
for which they were intended, and the grass might
cover the stopea to very nearly the bottom of the
drain. One of the greatest defects in Canadian
draining is that the sides are cut nearly perpendicu-
larly, and the earth taken out is suffered to accumu-
late upon the banks of the drain, hence along the
^dge of the drains the land is highest where it ought
to be lowest. If these centre drains were properly
formed, and the line drains kept in good order, to
carry off the water from them, it would not be dif-
ficult to manage the remainder of the draining on
ordinary farms. Sufl5cient drainage is the first im-
provement that should be attempted on every farm.
To attempt to cultivate and manure land that is not
sufficiently drained, is ouly a waste of labour and
manure. I shall not in this short notice allude to un-
der or covered drains, however convinced I am that un-
der or thorough draining might be profitably introducd ;
if, with regard to cross fences, cedar posts or
pickets were permanently fixed in for each cross
line of fence, the rails might be removed to
wherever required, with very little tr..,able. It

would seldom be necessary to keep up more tLan
two or three cross fences in summer, as I shall here-
after explain. On the first proposed division of a
farm into six fields, three would be under grain and
given crops, and, if necessary, a part in summer fal-
low, the other three fields would be in meadow and
pasture. On the second division of nine fields, three
would be under grain and green crops, and perhaps
a part in sunmier fallow, and six fields in meadow
and pasture. In each case adhering strictly to the
principle of rotation of cr.ips, and convertible hus-
bandry. This division of farms would answer for
Upper Canada.

The live hedge fence of England is a great im-
provement to the appearance of that country, and is
the best sort of fence that could be adopted there.
"Whether it would be equally well adapted to this
country, is a matter on which there is some tliffer-
ence of opinion. I have very little doubt that hedges
might be successfully cultivated here, and become
good fences in half the time which they take to come
to perfection in England. The native thorn here is
very suitable for fences, and there are so many other
kinds of trees or shrubs that might be mixed with
the thorn, that there coxdd be no difficulty of rearing
good fences in most situations ; and the rapid growth
of these kinds of plants, in this climate, would be
very favourable to the introduction of live hedge
fences. They might be planted alongside the present
rail fence on the level of the soil, not raised over it,
and when sufficiently grown, the rail fence could be
removed. The principal objection that I see to these
fences, would be the danger of their preventing a free
current of air to grain crops, and producing too much
shade ; but these injurious effects might be prevented
by keeping the hedges trimmed constantly to the
height of about four feet. This trimming would also
prevent the snow from breaking them down so much
as it otherwise would. Trimming hedges annually
would not cost more than repairing fences of wood,
and it will be necessary, at no distant period, to " -d
a substitute for wood fences. Live hedge f cs
would be a great improvement to the appearance of
this country, if they would not produce any injurious
effect on corn crops in the hot, moist weather we
occasionally have in summer. In order that hedges
may grow luxuriantly, and soon become fences, it will
be necessary to prepare the ground on which the
plants are to grow, previously to their being planted.
This will be best effected by ploughing or digging
deeply the proposed line of fence, manuring it if ne-
cessary, and planting on it a drill of potatoes. After
the potatoes are taken out in the latter end of Sep-
tember, will be the best time to plant the hedge ; and
if wild lands be convenient, there can be no want of
plants that will form a good hedge, though they may
not be all thorn. If hedge fences should be found to
succeed well, thorn plant.'? may be produced from

•<f

8sed, as in England, to supply the demand, at a
cheaper rate than takng up wild thorns.

Stone fences miglit be constructed profitably where
the materials are often to be found cncumberipg the land

ROTATION OF CROPS, AO.

The distribution of crops, and plan of their succes-
sion, is one of the first subjects to whicli all farmers
require to direct tlieir attention. Whatever little re
gard has been hitherto paid by farmers to a proper
rotation of crops in Canada, it is now a point on which
their profits depend more than on any other. The kind
of crops to be raised are determined in a great mea
sure by the climate, soil, market and demand.

It has becii found by experience, that besides the
general exhaustion of humus or vegetable food pro
duced by vegetation, especially those plants with
farinacious seed, each kind of crop has a specific effuct
upon the soil, so that no care or manure can make tlie
same ground produce equal crops of the same kind of
grain, for any length of time, without the intervention
of other crops. Whether this be owing to any pecu-
liar nourishment necessary to each particular kind
of plants, or because plants not indigenous degene-
rate in a foi'oign soil, the fact is certain with relpect
to most crops usually raised. This points out the
advantage of varying the crops, according as they
are found to cucceed best after each other. In gene-
ral, all kinds of gra;p. succeed ijest after a crop which
has been cut before the seed has ripened, or the stem
IB dried up. Those plants whi 3h have a naked stem
with few leaves thrive best after leguminous plants
which have more succulent stems, and which bear
their Deeds in pods, as peas, beans, tares, or vetches,
or after succulent roots which strike deep into the
ground, as carrots, parsnips, beet roots, and even
potatoes. From this circumstance, confirmed by uni-
versal e.-iperience, the different systems of rotation
have had their origin, taking the nature of the soil
into consideration.

In the British Isles, where farmers have to pay
heavy rents on short leases, there might be some ex-
cuse or justification for farmers deteriorating the
lands by severe cropping ; but here no such necessity
exists, and consequently no such justification. Farm-
ers are proprietors, and if they exhaust the soil by
tillage beyond the point consistent with good man-
agement, they will be sure to pay dearly in the end
for every crop forced from the land unreasonably.
A farmer who is a proprietor, cultivating his own
land with skill and experience, if he understands the
quality of his soil, and state of his fiel.l.s will know
what crops are most likely to grow well in each ; he
will know what is most in request, both for his own
use and in the market, and he will act accordingly.
ant If he allows his land to be impoverished for
want of rest or manure, or to run wild with weeds,
he does not exercise the experience, judgment or ac-
tivity necessary to make his profession and pursuits
profitable, whatever his skill or experience may be.

The system of rotations is adapted for eveiy soil,
though no particular rotation can be given for any
one soil which will answer in all cases. In some si-
tuations much depends on the kind of produce for
which there is the greatest market demand ; indeed,
this will influence rotations directly or indirectly in
every situation. But whatever the system of rota-
tion that is followed, if the several [irocesses of la-
bour which belong to it are properly executed, land
will rarely get into a foul or exhausted state, or at
lea?t, if foul or exhausted under a judicious rotation,
matters will be much worse when any other system
is followed.

ITie particular crops which entor into a system of
rotation must be such as are suited to the soil and
climate, varied by local circumstances, such as the
proximity to towns, where there is generally a de-
mand for potatoes, carrots, turnips, hay, &c. In a
thinly peojiled district, peas, beans, tares, hemp, flax,
summer fallow, clover and timothy might be interpos-
ed between corn crops on clay soils, and potatoes, car-
rots, Indian corn, clover and timothy, on dry loams and
sands. A variety of plants, such as peas, tares, hemp
flax, Indian corn and carrots, might occupy a part of
that division of a farm which is allotted to green
crops, and on good lands, well managed, these plants
might be grown to prepare the soil for grain, without
perhaps resorting to summer fallow, except very
rarely.

A farm of strong, rich soil, divided into six fields
or enclosures, might have half the farm under diSfei"-
ent species of cereal grasses, or grain crops, peas,
beans, tares, roots, or plain fallow ; the other half
under cultivated herbage, meadow and pasture. The
rotation and distribution of crops might be the
following :

One field or division, equal to one-si.Tth of the ara-
ble laud, to be under wheat, if the soil is suitable,
and the wheat a variety that will resist the fiy; if not,
barley or oats should be substituted. The wbeat is
to succeed green crops or suirmier fallow, and the
land, with this crop, or any other crop substituted
for it, to be seeded down invariably with clover and
timothy, or other grass seeds. Second field, or one-
sixth, ploughed in the previous fall, after pasture, to
be in peas and oats, or perhaps all oats. Third field,
or one-sixth, (following after oats and peas the year
before,) to be manured with beans, peas, potatoes,
carrots, and mangold wurtzel or turnips ; and should
the farmer be unable to find manure for the whole
division, he may fallow the remainder, or sow tares,
or some other green crop that he might plough in as
manure if jceessary. This last division will be pre-
pared for wheat or barley the ensuing spring, and be
seeded down with whatever crop is sowed. The
other half of the arable land, comprising three fields
or divisions, should be in meadow or pastupo. One
field or division, equal to one-sixth of the whole,
comiDg annually into tillage, to replace the dirisioo

seed t-. ,vn down yoaily with the crop of wheat or
barley, as before state J.

On farms of light or sandy soils, divided into nine
fields or enclosures, the tillage should jiot (txcoed one-
third of the arable land, or three fiehls in tillage, and
six in meadow or pasture. By this rotation the land
would be under grass six years out of nine, instead
of three out of six, as in the first rotation, tlio man-
agement and eourse of eropping for the part in til-
hige to be the same as that laid down for the rich or
clay soil, varying the distribution of crops to suit tho
quality of the soil, and introducing Indian corn in
this rotation.

It may be expedient to vary from these rotations.
The experienced fanner will understand when and in
what manner it will be prudent to do so. I believe,
lowever, that the more nearly the rotation adojited ^u
Cinada is conformable to these general rules, tlie
more certain will be the profitable improvement of
agriculture. This system of convertible husbandry
is the most uitable to the present circumstances of
this Province, and of British America. Under this
eourse of husbandry the lands would be constantly in
good heart, capable of producing abundant and ex-
cellent crops, and though the largest portion may be
under cultivated herbage and grass, I am well con-
vinced the gross produce of the land, and the farm-
er's profit, may be augmented two or thrfce fold, if
the produce be judiciously applied, and the rearing
and feeding of cattle, for the dairy and the shambles,
extensively introduced. Peas, beans, tares and roots
may be raised in this rotation in great abundance,
for feeding cattle and hogs, and a greater quantity
and better quality of grain produced in one year,
than under the present system of farming can be pro-
duced in two.

No food, no cattle ; no cattle, no dung ; no duug,
no corn ; is a maxim that ought be fixed in every
farmer's mind.

Not to repeat the same kind of crop at too short in-
tervals, is a rule, with regard to the succession of
crops, 'that ought to be strictly observed. Whatever
may be the cause, whether it is to be sought for in
the nature of the soil, or of the plants themselves, ex.
perionce clearly proves the advantage of introducing
a diversity of sjjecies into every eourse of cropping.
On new land, or land that has been pastured several
years, before it is again brought under the plough,
there may be less need of adhering steadily to this
rule ; but the degeneracy of wheat, and other corn
crops recurring upon tlie same land every second
year for a long period, has been generally acknow-
ledged.

Wheat, it is supposed, cannot be grown in perfec-
tion, on an average, more frequently than once in
every five years on the same land. Beans, peas, po-
tatoes, carrots and red clover, that may be called
green crops, become in many instances less productive
and much more liable to disease, when they come into

the eourse, upon the same land, every second, third or
fourth year. What the interval ought to be has net yet
been ascertained, and from the great number of years
that tho experiments must be continued, to give any
certain result, probably cannot be determined until
the component parts of soil, particularly the sort of
nourishment which each species of plant extracts
from the soil, have been more fully investigated. All
good farmere will, however, avoid overcropping, or
treating land in any way so as to exhaust its powers,
as the greatest of all evils

A new system of cultivation has been lately intro-
duced in England, by which it is said that large crops
of wheat are produced in succession annually, upon the
same land. Tlie whole of the land is cultivated, and
the wheat sown in drills three feet apart. While the
wheat is growing, the intervals between the rows are
deeply and frequently cultivated with the spade, and
immediately after the crop is reaped wheat is sown in
rows upon the cultivated intervals, without the appli-
cation of any manure. The crops thus raised for several
years in succession, are said to bo as large as if the
whole of the land had been sown. This circumstance
can only be accounted for by supposing that the deep
and frequent stirring up of the soil, and exposing it to
the atmosphere, has a very beneficial influence, and
counteracts the ill eflfects produced by repeating the
same kind of crops upon the same soil for many
years in succession. This system, however, is not
likely to come into operation in this country under
the present circumstances of abundance of land, with
a high price for labour.

I do not pretend, in this short notice, to do more
than submit what I conceive to bo the most judicious
plan for sub-dividing ordinary farms, and a simple
outline of the rotation of cropping which might be
introduced. This plan of draining and rotation is
not alone suitable to farmers in the Seigniories, but
may be introduced on farms of every description,
and in every section of the country. Whatever may
be the system of sub-dividing, draining, and rotation
of crops adopted, it must have a vast influence upon
the actual profits derived from farming.

Where there is not a proper rotation of crops ob-
served, it is not possible to keep land in proper con-
dition, or profitable cultivation ; and with a proper
rotation carried out, upon land sufficiently drained
from superfluous moisture, sufBcient manure may
generally be obtained, and profitable crops produced.
I understand that a proper rotation implies that all
the manure that can be made upon a farm shall
be judiciously applied at the most suitable season.

As regards the .:atural productive powers of the
Canadian soil, it is, I am persuaded, generally equal
to that of any country on earth, and, with judicious
cultivation and management, crops of every species
and variety, usually grown in England and France,
might be produced in Canada in great perfection,
with perhaps the exception of wheat, which latterly

r I

•r

has beeomo very liable to injury by the ravages of
the wheat fly, though there are some varieties of
wheat that resist the attacks of this destructive in-
Beet. Tlie climate and soil of Canada is also ex-
tremely favoural)lo for the production of hemp ; and
all that is re«,uirod to bring flax and hemp into ex-
tensive cultivation, is, that we should have mills pro-
vided to dress and prepare the fibre. The cultivation
of these plants could not be introduced here to any
advantage hitlierto, in consequence of there not being
mills to prc^pare the fibre. If parties were to pur-
chase liemp and flax when produced by the farmer,
it would encourage these productions, and make up,
in some degree, for any deficiency in the crop of
wheat from injury by the wheat fly. I would ob-
serve, however, tliat this insect is not confined to
Canada, but is equally, if not more destructive, in
many of the States of the Union.

It will not be expected that I should, on the pre-
sent occasion, describe the mode of cultivating of
the crops I have enumerated. I shall only say °that
all those crops may be produced in profitable per-
fection, provided a judicious system of cultivation is
observed. Both the soil and climate are favourable
for Agriculture, but the success of the Agriculturist
mainly depends upon the skill and industry with
whicli he practices his art.

It is an established principle of good husbandry, that
whatever the rotation, land must be well drained, well
ploughed, Bufficieutly manured, good and unmixed
seed made use of the crops kept clear of weeds, and
every work executed in proper sea.son. The live
stock of every description must be well chosen, man-
aged judiciously, and wel' kept ; and the products of
the dairy must be manufactured so as to insure the
best articles of butter and cheese, and the highest
prices of the market.

It may be expected that I should state the average
produce in Lower Canada, but there is such a wide
rQnge in this average that I could scarcely venture to
do so, with any pretensions to accuracy. Products
depend so much upon a variety of circumstances, of
soil, cultivation and management, that you may see
in one field an excellent crop, while on the next farm
the crop is poor and scanty. I shall therefore only
state what soil of ordinary quality may bs brought to
produce in ordinary seasons, under a judicious system
of iiusbandry and good management : -Wheat, in
consequence of the wheat fly, has, for the last few
years, been an uncertain crop; but even within that
period I have known it frequently to produce 80
bushels per arpcnt. But between 20 and 30 bushels of
spring-sown wheat is very commonly produced per
arpent on laud properly cultivated, but without
any extra expenditure in cultivation. Fall-sown wheat
succeeds occasionally, but is too uucertain a crop to
warrant cultivation to any great extent.
Barley from 25 to 40 bushels per arpent.
Rye not much cultivated.

Oata from 20 to 40 bushels per arpent.

Peas from 15 to 26 do do

Beans about the same.

Indian Corn from 25 to 60 bushels per arpent.

Potatoes, free from disease, from 100 to 200 bushels
per arpent.

Carrots, Parsnips, Mongold Wurtzel and Turnips,
produce very good crops, except the latter, which is
very liable to damage by the Turnip fly. Flax and
Hemp produce large crops under proper cultivation;
but neither plants, particularly the latter, are culti-
vated to any great extent.

DWELLI.VO HOUSE AND FARM YAED.

In connection with the plan of a farm, I submit
the plan of a dwelling house, fiirm yard, and other
necessary buildings. I do not expect these plans
to be perfect or suitable in every situation and cir-
cumstance. A dwelling house is a matter of taste,
and parties who build have generally a plan of their
own, which they will prefer to any other. My plan
is of an ordinary farm house, and when more exten-
sive and expeusive buildings are required, there will
bo no diffieulty of procuring plans to suit the taste
and requirements of the party building.

When the situation is favourable, it is desirable to
have a full underground story, provided it can be
snfliciently and conveniently drained. An under-
groimd story may always be a verj-- useful part of the
dwelling house ia Canada ; cool in summer, and waim
in winter. I think it much preferable to having a
second story ovcrgiound, in a country house. A balcony,
or gallery, along the front of the house, is ornamental
as well as useful. I would also recommend that the
roof should extend at the rear, so as tv cover a
wash house at one end, and the shed might be left
open in the part not required for this purpose.

The internal arrangement I propose, may not be
satisfiu .jry, and therefore I shall not enter into any-
elaborate explanation, but leave it to the parties who
may build to sub-divide the house to suit their own
taste and convenience. If I would venture to submit
my own ideas on the s ubject, perhajis no two parties
who would read them would agree with me. Cover-
ing with slate, iron or tin, should by all means be
adopted in preference to shingles, if the expense can
be aflforded. In case the gravel roofing shouIJ be
adopted, a dwelling house v.-ill not look well unless it
is raised above one story.

Tlie dairy marked on the plan may bo construct-
ed of a size suitable to the requirements. I propose
that it should be provided with a place for keeping
ice at one end, or in the centre if of large dimensions.
I have seen 'lately a building of wood, of, I tbin^
about 24 feet long, by 18 wide, entirely overground
that had ice in excellent preservation at the time,
which I was told had been four years there. The
building was lined with wood ou the inside, and the
interval between that and the outside covering was, I

th-'tik, 18 inches, which was filled with waste bark
from a tannery, (and pe.hnps saw-dust would answer
where waste bark could not be procured) ; the space
over the ice, and between it and the roof, was also
filled with the same material. A part of this build-
ing was appropriated to a dairy, and answered ex-
ceeding well. A dairy might be constructed in this
way, and have a flat gravel roofing, which I believe
keeps a building cool in summer, but in every case
the sides and even over the ceiling, should be filled
with waste bark. Two doors to the entrance would bo
necessary, and ample ventilation.

A shed for wood, and shelter for a horse and car-
riage occasionally, should be situated convenient
to the dwelling house, and it may bo covered with
gravel roofing.

The well house should be placed, if possible, be
tween the dwelling house and farm yard ; and the
live stock watered from it hy a trough placed in the
yard. If parties are disposed to water stock in the
house, other means may be adopted to do so.

The granary should be placed on stone, iron, or
wood piers, two feet high above the surface of the
ground to keep'out vermin. It should not bo too near
other buildings, and ought to be furnished with bins
for the different varieties of grain.

The farm yard and buildings are laid down upon a
scale that would be suitable for a faim of about 200
arpents. ITie size, however, may be increased or di-
minished to suit a larger or smaller farm, and any
other alterations made, which convenience or other
circumstances might demand. I believe it a consid-
erable advantage to have a farm yard properly ar-
ranged, and so constructed as to afford shelter as well
as convenience. It is also desirable to have all the
necessary buildings form one square, so as to be di-
rectly brought under the fai'mer's eye and inspection.
I have endeavoured to show how the manure may be
covered and protected from rain and snow, without
incurring a heavy expense. The sheds arranged
on each side of the yard I propose to have covered with
-gravel roofing, and sloping outwards, bo as to throw
the water from the root-; outwards, and not into the
farm yard, I proposed to have sheds outside the farm
yard, sufficient to cover all the manure, until required
to be taken to the fields. Covered farm yards are being
adoptedin England lately, and I have soon the report o'f
an experiment made with manure that was kept under
cover until brouglit to the field for immediate use,
with manure kept in the ordinary way, uncover-
ed until made use of in the drill, and the result is
more than I could have thought possible in favour of
the manure kept under cover, and the increased pro-
duce of crops, extended to three successive years
after the manure was applied, each crop being in
excess over those produced fro.n manure kept in the
ordinary way, more than a third, upon land of the
same quality, and cultivated exactly in the same
manner. It cannot escape the observation of ivny in-

telligent farmer, that manure must bo considerably
deteriorated by exposure to rain, snow, and the at-
mosphere for a long time before it is put into the soil.
I copy a description of gravel roofing lately intro-
duced in the city of Montreal, and adopted in covering
sev.^ral manufactories in the neighbourhood of Mon-
treal. This description has been very kindly handed
to me by Wm. Footner, Esq., Architect, who is well
acquainted with this mode of roofing, and recom-
mends it strongly for covering farm buildings. I
have constant opportunities of seeing that the ma-
nufactories roofed in this way near Montreal do not
retain the snow upon them ; it is carried off by the first
wind, and will not remain upon the roof while falling if
there is much wind. I think this kind of roofing
would answer admirably on the side buildings of the
farm yard, and on the shed at the rear of tiie barn,
the cattle house, eart shed, and also the wood shed in
rear of the dwelling house. Mr. Footner says this
roofing will not cost more than about half that of
shingle roofing; and there is another circumstance
in its favour, that it is not so exposed to injury
by storms or from fire.

Montreal, Feb. 27th, 1855.

DESCttirnON OF THE GRAVEL ROOFING LATELY INTRO-
DUCED INTO MONTBEAL.

Roofing may be of the commonest description of
oars, laid with spruce boards and laid to a declivity
of one inch to the foot ; the length of the run makes
no difference.

Fitting is very coarse brown paper, with a mixture
of wool cloth stuff, or any such like materials, (though
plain coarse brown paper is used in Her Majesty's
dock yards.) This fitting can bo bought in any quan-
tities in the towns of the United States,

The fitting is laid on so as to completely cover the
boarding, after the manner of shingling or slating,
beginning always at the eaves, the joints being kept
down with small strips of wood an inch wide and one-
eighth of an inch thick.

Pitch and coal tar is then mixed together, the
greater portion being pitch. This is laid on in a fiuid
state with a mop, beginning, as before, at the eaves,
and on this coating is to be thrown, with a wooden
shovel, small gravel, (dry,) all over to be raked or
spread evenly with a wood scraper, so as to have all
over about one inch of gravel,

Observations.— Should any leak occur, scrape off
the gravel on the spot shewing defect, and put a lit-
tle of the pitch composition and gravel as before.

If any difficulty is found to get felt, then old ship
canvas, or even coarse grey cotton, will do. Or fur-
ther, get a sugar kettle, and warm some gas tcr, and
while warm saturate coarse brown paper therewith,
in the following maL.ier : — Take a slip of wood of the
length of the sheet, or a little longer, and secure the
paper to the strip, then gently lower the paper into
i the warm tar, and as many as the kettle will hold,

I
1

J-

then remove them as you want them to the roof, and
fix witli cut tacks. This i.s in case of great Lurry •
otherwise it is better to allow the tar to dry on the'
pap'-r before putting on the roof, and better .11 to
give it a second immersion.

WM. FOOTNER,
Architect.
Tlie arrangement I propose may not suit the
requirements or taste of all Agriculturalists, but they
may be modified to any extent de-ired. The inter-
nal arrangements must, of necessity, be altered to
circumstances, and al.o the external appearance,
borne parties may condemn the plan as being too ex-
pensive for anything like general adoption; others
may find it not equal to their taste or desire. I have
not given any fixed height for the barn ran-er or
cattle house adjoining. I have adopted 30 feet^as the
usual width. The height aad width, however, may
be determined by parties building, to suit their own
wishes and convenience. It is necessary to have a
cellar under the barn for roots, and from which there
may be communication to the cattle house. This ac-
commodation may be had sufficiently large for ordinary
farms without incurring any g, eat expense. Of course it
must have means of drainage, but if the drains upon
the farm are kept in good order, the celler under the
barn may be drained. If the cellar cannot bo exca-
vated much below the surface it may rise over the
surface, and bo made sufficiently safe from extreme
cold to peserve roots. Such cellars should not ex-
ceed 82 degrees of heat if it could be la-pt about
that temperature. If not built with stone, the exca-
™tion might be lined with cedar or plank, and there
sliould be certain means of ventilation provided. A
cellar or other convenient root-house is a necessary
appondnge on every farm where roots are provided
tor teeding live stock.

I shall now tiive a concise description of the farm
buildings, as they are enumerated in the plan:

1. A coach house to open towards the dwelling
house, aud not into the farm yard. °

2. Tool house, with necessary appendages for
small tools, nails, &c., and with a lock on the door.

through the farm yard. Tliis yard is the suitable
place for feeding, except in very cold weather.
Means should bo adopted to Keep the fowl house suf-
ficiently warm in winter; situated, as proposed, next
to the horse stable may contribute to this.

6. Horse stable for 6 horses, with staUs 6 feet wide
and ceiling 8 feet high ; the mangers for hay placed
on a level with flooring; the trough for oats, water,
and roots above the first ; the manure put out in the
tear.

6. Covered shed for manure.
7 and 8. Harness room, and room for grain and other
provender, Ac. Doors from stable to harness room

9. Covered sheds for carts, Ac, with a gate-way
from the farr.i yard.

10. Cattle house for two rows of cattle, fronting
each other, vUh a passage between 6 feet wide,
r recommend separate stalls for each, extending back-
wards about half the length of the animal. I have
found this mode advantageous, as it prevents animals
from interfering with each other in feeding. Three
doors are necessary,— one to each end for the cattle
and one to the centre passage. The manure to be all'
put out at the rear, into the covered shed. There
s^hould be two or three small windows with glass.
The loft should be 8 feet high, with means of ventila'-
tion through it, and out at the roof. Hay and straw
may be supplied from the loft, let down to the pas-
sage at the one end of it. Roots may be supplied
from barn cellar by the passage marked No. 14.

11. Covered shed, extending for 60 feet in rear of
cattle house, barn, Ac, for keeping manure.

12. Calf house, to be arranged in a suitable man-
ner, with racks for hay, troughs for milk, roots, or
grain. Two separate boxes should be provided for
veal calves, sufficiently large for the calf to stand and
lie down, but not turn round. Doors from cattle
house to calf house.

13. An hospital for a cow near calving, or an ani-
mal requiring to be separate; door from passage
No. 14 ; window in front to light Nos. 12 and 13.

14. Passage to cellar under barn.
15 and 16, Two feeding-boxes, with 2 doors from

3 Fowl! Z Z' T ^ ""^ ''° "" ^^°"-- ^ ""'^ ^'^^ ^ ""^ feeding-boxes, with 2 doors from

^k nn tl 1 T "P '" " P'^'P'^'" '"^"°^''' ^^'*'> P'"''"^'' ^"^ ^*- '^'•s^e divisions I propose for stall-

' "" \' « 'Joo''. It would require u lonsr notice to feeding t,vo animals at a time. Th«r« .i,.„i.i „„. ,-

lock on the door. It would require u long notice to
give a full description of what a fowl house should be,
and as the ancy of the lady who may be the mistress
of the establishment will probably have considerable
influence in the manner of arrangement, I shall not
presume to offer my suggestions, but leave it to the
good management of the ladies who may take a very
laudable interest in such matters.
. ^- ^°"^^ yard.— I propose on the plan that the shed
in rear of Nos. 1, 2 A 3 should be close J in by wire
fence, or laths of wood, to keep the fowls confined
when thought necessary, and this yard might be di-
vided .fit was req-.ired. There should be an outer
door to this yard, facing the dwelling house, to allow
ladies to visit the establishment without going

feeding t,vo animals at a time. There should not be
any flooring, and they might be excavated two or three
feet below the level of the flooring. The manure is
not to be removed until the animals are raised too
high in the boxes. They are to be kept well littered,
iind ventilation may be had by connection wi*' lat
from the cattle house. One small window, with glass
placed in the rear, would light both boxes. Means
for removing the manure, when necessary, should also
be provided from the shod in the rear.

17. Bam of a size to suit requirements. There
sliould be a communication from the barn to supply
hay and straw, when necessary, to the lofts over cattle
houses, Ac. I propose to Lave two batteries or
threshing floors.

18. Covered shed in roar of sheep and otlicr houses,
and extending the whole lengtli of farm yard on that
Bide, for manure. Tliia shed miglit have a part of it
appriateil to other purposesi, such as shade for horses,
calves, sheep, A'l.

19. Shcop hojso, separated from the larger sheep
house No. 20. This I propose for sheep requiring to
be separated, with lambs, or for any other cause. A
yard might bo allowed to this division during winter'
taken from the shed in the rear.

20. Sheep house, with yird. Both housh and yard
should be fnrnished with racks and troughs for feed-
ing, but it is not necessary to describe them.

21. Yard to sheep house No. 20.

22. House for yo ing cattle, to bo furniched with
necessary appendages for feeding, Ac, Ac.

28. Yard for young cattle in No. 22.

24, House for mares and colt^, or young horses,
with necessary mangers, etc., also to be divided if
required.

25. Yard for accommodation of No. 24.
20 and 21. Pig-stye and yard, to be arranged and

suitably furnished for fecdiug swine,

28 and 29. Pig-stye, and yard for store pigs. I would j
propose to iiave the entrance door to Nos 26 and 28
towards the boiler house and kitchen. ... pas--age
should be made at the rear wall noxt thu back shed,
for feeding the pigs, and the troughs should be so ar-
ranged that the animals would be shut out from the

troughs while the food was being supplied. Manure
to be removed by barrow or cart to back shed.

The farm yard bIiouM have a good road made in
rontofallthe buildings. The surface of tlio yard
should slope inwards towards tlio centre, and the
drainage, if any, convej od to some hollow place out-
side the yard, to mix with compost, weeds, wastes,
earth, Ac, and if any moss or bog eart li could bo pro-
cured, it should form part of the compost. This hol-
low reservoir might be cleaned out annually for top
dressing. I have made no provision for saving liquid
manure, as I fear it might bo more expensive than
profitable, if not well carried out and attended to. I
beg to recommend that all the stock be well and con- '

stantly littered with ritraw, -.nd if thoy arc, there will
not bo much loss of liquid manure. A small separate
building, convenient to the dwelling house, or con-
nected with the boiler house, wouhl bo liio proper
place for keeping the ashes. All the other wastes of
the dwelling house and wash house should be b-ought
to the reservoir, or to some reservoir convti.af.tly
placed.

1 1 egret that I had not sufTicient time to prepare
this description of a farm, farm buildings, Ac. I could
not attend to this description uutil immediately before
the Kxhilntion was to open, and I was so occupied
with other niatters,that I could not apply the consider-
ation ami attention that was ..ecessary for tha subject.
I may however have a future opportunity of correction
and anietidnient. It will bo a source of groat satis-
faction to mo if this humble attempt to promote agri-
cultural improvement may bo favourably received by
agriculturists. I did not proi^ume to compete for any
of the prizes oftorod by the Executive Committee. 1
only took upon mo to contribute my mite in the Agri-
cultural Section of the Local Exhibition at Montreal. I
am indebted to Messrs. Ostelland Footner, for putting
my plan into a. suitable form to appear before the
I'iblic, and I beg to return them my best thanks for
uie assistance they have kindly rendered mo on this
occasion.

Ill conclusion— It may be objected that my plans
are too expensive for ordinary agriculturists ; but any
parties may carry out so much of the plans as ♦heir
means will admit. I thought it would be proper to
make the plans to suit parties who would have meaus
to carry them out fully. Those who have not means
to construct extensive buildings may, at all events,
adopt my suggestions for the division and manage-
ment of farms, and if they do carry it out proper-
ly, their circumstances may soon be so improved, as
to enable them to erect any buildings they require.
I have often seen a largo expenditure on farm build-
ings where there was not any attempt at arrange-
ment or uniformity. My plan can be carried out on
a large or a small scale, according to the means and
requiremeuts of the parties building.

MONTREAL :
PRINTED BY .JOHN LOVELL, AT HIS STEAM-PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT,

ST. NICBOLAS 8TEKET,

1855.