Modern practices of farming are far different from those in the nineteenth century. In those days, labor was found cheaply, and it was also easy to find. People did not use the artificial fertilizers and the sprays. When the farmers wanted to increase the soil production, they would make use of manure. However, there were challenges of using this method. It was not easy to haul a lot of manure from where the farmyard was to the far fields. This problem was overcome when the farmers decided to use sheep to handle this task. This was where the idea of using free roaming sheep huts came from.
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.
During that time, if you owned a farm, then it was vital that you have a flock of sheep. The animals also needed to be hardworking. Therefore, the one who took care of these animals was the most valuable worker. In most situation, the valleys held the downland villages. The downland fields were not near the farmyard. Therefore, it was important for the shepherd to have a place to store the equipment and medicine.
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 hut had the kitchen, the store room, the dining room, the sitting room, and the bedroom. There were various designs for the hut. The important thing was that it gave the shepherd durable and practical accommodation. The old cabins would have a stove in a corner. This stove would be used for cooking and warmth. There was also a window on each side so that the shepherd could easily monitor the lambs.
In addition to this, the hut had a door which was hinged and stable. The door was always located from the prevailing wind. This was vital as it helped the shepherd to hear the flock. There was also strong axles. These axles had cast iron wheels that would assist in the movement from field to field.
It is evident that these huts were very durable. This can be proven by the numerous excellent examples that are still being used today. They are now used as storerooms. You can find them parked alongside the fields. Most of them are not even in use. They have mostly been consigned to the agricultural museums. They are, therefore, evidence for those times that have passed.
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.
During that time, if you owned a farm, then it was vital that you have a flock of sheep. The animals also needed to be hardworking. Therefore, the one who took care of these animals was the most valuable worker. In most situation, the valleys held the downland villages. The downland fields were not near the farmyard. Therefore, it was important for the shepherd to have a place to store the equipment and medicine.
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 hut had the kitchen, the store room, the dining room, the sitting room, and the bedroom. There were various designs for the hut. The important thing was that it gave the shepherd durable and practical accommodation. The old cabins would have a stove in a corner. This stove would be used for cooking and warmth. There was also a window on each side so that the shepherd could easily monitor the lambs.
In addition to this, the hut had a door which was hinged and stable. The door was always located from the prevailing wind. This was vital as it helped the shepherd to hear the flock. There was also strong axles. These axles had cast iron wheels that would assist in the movement from field to field.
It is evident that these huts were very durable. This can be proven by the numerous excellent examples that are still being used today. They are now used as storerooms. You can find them parked alongside the fields. Most of them are not even in use. They have mostly been consigned to the agricultural museums. They are, therefore, evidence for those times that have passed.
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