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dimanche 18 juin 2017

Info Post
By George Cook


The farming practices we have today vary so much from those that were used in the past. There were times when labor was cheap and easily available. Farmers did not use the chemical fertilizers that are now commonly used. In those times, only manure was utilized in the increase of the production of soil. Using this method, however, proved to be very challenging. It was complicated to transport the manure that was needed to the fields from the farmyards. Therefore, farmers decided to make use of the lambs to ease this work. From this, making use of free roaming sheep huts was then born.

The animals that were utilized in fertilizing the uplands were not the same as those used in fertilizing the downs of the valleys. Those farms that had chalky soil or down had the downland rams. These lambs would be kept tightly in hurdles. They could not roam without restrictions.

These animals would be moved to other pastures once they were done grazing a particular field. When they were done, they would leave manure in these farms. The farmers would cultivate the manure in. After they had done this, then the land would be fertile for growing oats or wheat. Otherwise, these crops would not have grown on the soils.

Those who owned farms from that century needed a flock of sheep. Having the hardworking rams was essential. This made the shepherd of the animals the most valuable worker for the farmer. Most of the downland villages were found in the valleys. These fields of the downland were not so close. Therefore a shepherd would need a house where they would place their medicine and tools.

The job was tough. It mostly needed physical energy for the animals required to be transferred each day. Therefore the person tending to them needed to have a shelter to sleep in and for eating. This was most necessary when it was the lambing season. Therefore, the shepherd's or the sheep hut was built.

This house would have all the necessary rooms for the survival of the shepherd. There were a kitchen and even a bathroom. It has different designs for building it. What was vital at the time was that the shepherd got the accommodation that was practical and durable. There was a cooker in a corner of the older versions. This stove would be used to give warmth and also to cook food. Each side had a window that would help the shepherd in monitoring the rams.

There was also a steady and hinged door. The position of this door was such that it was found from the prevailing winds. This was necessary so that the shepherd could listen to the flock easily. The house also contained axles that were strong. There were wheels of cast iron on each axle. This helped the shepherd to move.

It has been proven that these huts can last for long. This can be seen by the many shelters that are still existent today. Most of them are just storerooms now. Alongside some firms, you are sure to see some of them. Others have even been completely abandoned. The farmers have signed them over to the museums of agriculture. Therefore, they are just used as evidence for those times that have passed.




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