(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.) AN IMPROVED BYRE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1033, 16 September 1871, Page 11

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

AN IMPROVED BYRE.

One of the most commodious and best designed byros in the province, and probably in the colony, has been recently completed at Green Island. It is the property of Mrs Shand, whose'dairy produce has long been favourably known in the Dunedin market, and who has also been a prominent prize-taker in many of the agricultural exhibitions for the same. The length of the building, in its present form, is Sdft., the breadth being 18ft., with stout supports and rafters of red pine, securely braced with the same material, and weather-boarding of white pine — all being prepared at Central Bush, Invcrcargill, the property of Mr James Shand, M. P. C. The roof, which is covered with galvanised iron, is so designed that two more winga can be added at pleasure, forming the three sides of a square. Inside, the space is ample both for tho convenience of operating in and about the cattle, and also for an ample supply of provender. The cattle enter by two doors conveniently hung on pulleys and sliding backwards. The stalls, which are about 51 feet long, are firmly fixed, the trevices being of red pine. The bail sticks are so arranged that upon a cow entering the stall, by pushing the bail stick a cross stick drops into a catch, and the animal becomes secure. After the cow is milked, upon drawing a string she becomes unbailed. As the cows are kept in at night a bail is unsuitable, but there is attached to the bail post an iron bar to which a cow chain is attached, the one end of which is fixed upon a peg for convenience. When the cow is thus chained she has ample room for laying down. From the place where the bail stick is fixed to a small partition erected at the head of the animal, a space intervenes, built in the form of a trough, which at once becomes the manger, where the cattle can feed on straw and turnips at will. On one side of the stall there is a rim' for securing the calf when milking, and. at the end there is another fixed to a post on a level with the ground to which the leg rope can be attached. At the gable end there is a department for the turnips, with a sliding door sufficiently large to admit a cart. From this a tramway traverses the whole building on the one side, directly at the head of the cattle. A truck carries the cut turnips along the stalls, from which the cow receives her supply. By these means a small boy can feed a score of cattle in a very short time. At the other end there is a spacious pen for the calves, and from it a stair leads to a- large loft provided with provender, from which the straw can 'be cast into the manger by an opening. Provision is also made for a matter much overlooked in the colonies. A gutter carries the liquid manure to a grating, from which a pipe leads to a tank, and thereafter placed in a barrel to be scattered upon the ground. As it has been proved that plenty of light is essential to the healthiness of dairy, cattle, there is also ample provision made in that respect. There are in all fourteen windows, seven on each side, ingeniously fixed upon axles, which become so many ventilators at pleasure. In order to keep the building thoroughly dry, all the water of the roof is conveyed to one reservoir. As an instance of the advantages of having comfortable and commodious buildings such as this for a byre, the cattle, with the same quantity of feed, give nearly double the quantity of milk they formerly gave. Altogether the building is well worthy the inspection of those desirous of carrying on dairying on an extensive scale. It was designed by Messrs Mason and Wales, but many of the minor arrangements were completed by Mrs Shand herself. The contractor was Mr Peter Day, who completed his work to the satisfaction of the proprietress.