MAY 1ST, 1880.—(To come within the required limits of this paper the journal of the last two years must be condensed. Therefore, omitting detailed descriptions, the general facts are given, and some opinions derived from the five years recorded.) For the year ending May, 1879, the method of keeping “June” was much the same as in that last described, but more roots were raised and fed; some hay was made, and only straw and grain food purchased. The result was even better than that shown by the last account. During the year just ended, the fifth since “June” was bought, I tried soiling, keeping the cow in stall and yard almost all the time, and have actually got through without buying hay or straw, using only one acre and a quarter to produce all the long forage needed. There is so much left over that I am satisfied one acre well managed, the preparation beginning the previous fall, can be made to support my cow, with the exception of the grain food and part of the roots. But this requires more time for labor than I can give, and more manure than one cow makes. I have had to buy fertilizers during the last two years, and although they were good, I prefer hereafter to buy food and make manure, rather than buy manures to make food. For one situated as I am, a semi-soiling system, or limited pasturage helped out with other food, is better, even if more food is bought. I can be surer of what I purchase, and thus use the one cow to better advantage. [Illustration: Fig. 5.—EAST END OF STABLE IN 1870.] [Illustration: Fig. 6.—PLAN OF STABLE IN 1870.] [Illustration: Fig. 7.—SOUTH SIDE OF STABLE AS ADAPTED FOR POULTRY IN 1871-5.] [Illustration: Fig. 8.—PLAN OF STABLE, 1871-5.] [Illustration: Figs. 9 and 10.—EAST AND SOUTH ELEVATIONS OF STABLE, AS CHANGED FOR POULTRY AND COW IN 1875.] [Illustration: Fig. 11.—MAIN FLOOR PLAN AS CHANGED FOR COW IN 1875.] The only secret of home-made manure is to save everything, especially all liquids, mix everything as already explained, fork over and keep compact, to make a homogenous compost, and keep all under cover until used. A very slight and cheap protecting shed will suffice. [Illustration: Fig. 12.—FRONT ELEVATION AS CHANGED IN 1878.] [Illustration: Fig. 13.—PLAN OF BARN BASEMENT WITH NEW STONE FOUNDATIONS, 1878.] As to housing, I began with a plain frame stable found upon the place, made originally for one horse and a buggy, and have gradually changed and added to it, doing most of the work myself, until a very satisfactory building has resulted. It contains room enough for a year’s forage, including root-cellar, a warm, dry stall, conveniently arranged for saving labor, ample shed-room for compost, and a sheltered yard containing five or six square rods, which is as good as more. There is running water in the yard. The plans accompanying this article, figs. 5 to 13 inclusive, show these arrangements better than any description in writing.