The three outsides of the building, north, east and west, are covered with roofing down to the ground, there being, of course, no inner lining below the floor under the House. To the south the House is entirely open from the floor to the ground. Each House, raised five feet from the ground and open to the south, gets the sunlight underneath clear to the back of the building, which eliminates all dampness, and, being so open prevents rats and other vermin making any attempt to get into the House. The window openings are nine feet long by three and a half feet in width. As the studding is three feet apart this permits the making of the openings without cutting the studding, and so weakening any of the supports under the roof. These openings are spaced off so that their total length comes as near as may be to one-half the length of the south front of the House. Canvas Windows Ventilators, one foot in width and occupying the space between the window openings, have recently been constructed in these Houses, which permit the closing of all canvas windows tight at night, when the weather is very cold, letting the air come in through these ventilators, at the top, without bringing any draughts down upon the birds. Detailed plans of these ventilators will be found at the end of this Book. [Illustration: ONE OF THE BREEDING HOUSES IN 1911] The frames of the curtained windows are made of one by four inch boards, with two center supports dividing the window frame into three foot sections. These frames are covered with medium weight cotton duck, from which the dust must be brushed at regular intervals to permit the air to circulate through them freely. Outside of the Office, Brooder House, Work Shop, Stable and the Resident Quarters, no glass is used in any of the buildings, with the exception of one small pane in the door of each Laying House, through which a view of the interior may be had. A hood, extending out eight inches, is built over the windows and ventilators, the whole length of the buildings. This prevents the rain from southerly storms beating into the Houses. The windows are hung on hinges, and open inward from the top, and are fastened to the ceiling with wooden buttons. The front of all of the window openings, on the outside, is covered with one inch mesh wire netting, to prevent the birds from flying out, and also to prevent sparrows and other birds from flying in to consume the grain provided for the fowls. Double Doors There are double doors at both ends of each House, swinging inward, the opening being six feet in width. These doors are made of two thicknesses of matched boards, one side being vertical, and the other diagonal, with a lining of roofing paper between. These are kept closed only in cold and stormy weather.