The gates of the sheep-pens should be strongly stayed, as they make most convenient seats on which the drovers and heavy farmers sit whilst they drive their bargains.
With regard to the dimensions of the pens and lairs, the following sizes are suggested as sufficient spaces for different animals, in the modern bye-laws, emanating from the Local Government Board in 1877, with respect to markets:
| For every horse | 8 | feet | by | 2 | feet. | ||
| For every ox or cow | 8 | „ | „ | 2 | „ | ||
| For every mule or ass | 5 | „ | „ | 1 | feet | 6 | inches. |
| For every calf | 5 | „ | „ | 1 | „ | 3 | „ |
| For every sheep, goat or pig (of medium size) 4 feet superficial. | |||||||
The pens for calves and the styes for pigs should be covered, and their floors should be about 3 feet 6 inches above the general level of the market, as animals of this description are generally brought in carts, and they could thus be easily moved out and in.
These pens and styes must of course be thoroughly well drained and ventilated.
With regard to the weighing machine, this should be of the best manufacture, and be of sufficient size to weigh a large wagon. It is better to have what is called a “self contained” iron foundation, and pit for the weighbridge rather than one of masonry. A convenient size for this weighbridge would be 15 feet in length by 12 feet in breadth.
With reference to the rest of the provisions I have enumerated, they require no special comment, but must necessarily be left to the discretion of the town surveyor and the wishes of his corporation.
Markets for general merchandise are usually handsome buildings, which are erected in the most central positions of the town; they contain:
(1.) The corn exchange (this is sometimes erected in the cattle market).
(2.) The fish market.