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diff --git a/19998.txt b/19998.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..83b5807 --- /dev/null +++ b/19998.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9203 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Rural Architecture, by Lewis Falley Allen + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Rural Architecture + Being a Complete Description of Farm Houses, Cottages, and Out Buildings + +Author: Lewis Falley Allen + +Illustrator: John William Orr + +Release Date: December 3, 2006 [EBook #19998] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RURAL ARCHITECTURE *** + + + + +Produced by Louise Hope, Steven Giacomelli and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images produced by Core Historical +Literature in Agriculture (CHLA), Cornell University) + + + + + + [Transcriber's Note: + + Typographical errors and inconsistencies are listed at the end of + the text.] + + + * * * * * + + RURAL ARCHITECTURE. + + Being A Complete Description + of + FARM HOUSES, COTTAGES, + and + OUT BUILDINGS, + + Comprising + + Wood Houses, Workshops, Tool Houses, Carriage +and Wagon Houses, Stables, Smoke and Ash Houses, +Ice Houses, Apiary or Bee House, Poultry Houses, + Rabbitry, Dovecote, Piggery, Barns and Sheds + for Cattle, &c., &c., &c. + + Together With + + Lawns, Pleasure Grounds and Parks; The Flower, + Fruit and Vegetable Garden. Also, Useful and + Ornamental Domestic Animals for the + Country Resident, &c., &c., &c. + + Also, + The Best Method Of + CONDUCTING WATER INTO CATTLE YARDS AND HOUSES. + + + BY LEWIS F. ALLEN. + + Beautifully Illustrated. + + + New York: + C. M. SAXTON, + Agricultural Book Publisher. + 1852. + + + + +Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852. +By LEWIS F. ALLEN, +In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the +Southern District of New York. + + +Stereotyped by +JEWETT, THOMAS AND CO. +Buffalo, N.Y. + + + + +ADVERTISEMENT. + + +The writer of these pages ought, perhaps, to apologize for attempting a +work on a subject, of which he is not a _professional_ master, either in +design or execution. In the science of Farm buildings he claims no +better knowledge than a long practical observation has given him. The +thoughts herein submitted for the consideration of those interested in +the subject of Farm buildings are the result of that observation, added +to his experience in the use of such buildings, and a conviction of the +inconveniences attending many of those already planned and erected. + +Nor is it intended, in the production of this work, to interfere with +the labors of the professional builder. To such builder all who may be +disposed to adopt any model or suggestion here presented, are referred, +for the various details, in their specifications, and estimates, that +may be required; presuming that the designs and descriptions of this +work will be sufficient for the guidance of any master builder, in their +erection and completion. + +But for the solicitation of those who believe that the undersigned could +offer some improvements in the construction of Farm buildings for the +benefit of our landholders and practical farmers, these pages would +probably never have appeared. They are offered in the hope that they may +be useful in assisting to form the taste, and add to the comfort of +those who are the main instruments in embellishing the face of our +country in its most pleasing and agreeable features--the American +Farmer. + +LEWIS F. ALLEN. + +Black Rock, N.Y. 1851. + + +NOTE.--For throwing the Designs embraced in these pages into their +present artistic form, the writer is indebted to Messrs. Otis & Brown, +architects, of Buffalo, to whose skill and experience he takes a +pleasure in recommending such as may wish instruction in the plans, +drawings, specifications, or estimates relating to either of the designs +here submitted, or for others of any kind that may be adapted to their +purposes. + + +L. F. A. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + Page. +PREFATORY, 9 +INTRODUCTORY, 13 +General Suggestions, 19 +Style of Building--Miscellaneous, 23 +Position of Farm Houses, 29 +Home Embellishments, 32 +Material for Farm Buildings, 37 +Outside Color of Houses, 42 +A Short Chapter on Taste, 48 +The Construction of Cellars, 54 +Ventilation of Houses, 56 +Interior Accommodation of Houses, 65 +Chimney Tops, 68 +Preliminary to our Designs, 69 +DESIGN I. A Farm House, 72 + Interior Arrangement, 75 + Ground Plan, 76 + Chamber Plan, 77 + Miscellaneous, 80 + As a Tenant House, 81 +DESIGN II. Description, 84 + Ground and Chamber Plans, 89 + Interior Arrangement, 90 +Miscellaneous Details, 95 +DESIGN III. Description, 101 + Ground and Chamber Plans, 105 + Interior Arrangement, 106 + Miscellaneous, 111 +DESIGN IV. Description, 114 + Interior Arrangement, 118 + Ground Plan, 119 + Chamber Plan, 120 + Surrounding Plantations, Shrubbery, Walks, &c., 125 + Tree Planting in the Highway, 129 +DESIGN V. Description, 133 + Interior Arrangement, 135 + Ground Plan, 136 + Chamber Plan, 142 + Construction, Cost of Building, &c., 147 + Grounds, Plantations, and Surroundings, 149 +DESIGN VI. A Southern, or Plantation House, 154 + Interior Arrangement, 159 + Chamber Plan, 162 + Carriage House, 163 + Miscellaneous, 163 + Lawn and Park Surroundings, 166 + An Ancient New England Family, 168 + An American Homestead of the Last Century, 169 + Estimate of Cost of Design VI, 172 +DESIGN VII. A Plantation House, 175 + Interior Arrangement, 176 + Ground Plan, 177 + Chamber Plan, 178 + Miscellaneous, 179 +LAWNS, GROUNDS, PARKS, AND WOODS, 181 + The Forest Trees of America, 183 + Influence of Trees and Forests on the Character of men, 184 + Hillhouse and Walter Scott as Tree Planters, 187 + Doctor Johnson, no Rural Taste, 188 + Fruit Garden--Orchard, 194 + How to lay out a Kitchen Garden, 197 + Flowers, 202 + Wild Flowers of America, 203 + Succession of Home Flowers, 206 +FARM COTTAGES, 208 +DESIGN I, and Ground Plan, 213 + Interior Arrangement 214 +DESIGN II, and Ground Plan, 216 + Interior Arrangement, 216 +DESIGN III, and Ground Plan, 220 + Interior Arrangement, 220 +DESIGN IV, and Ground Plan, 226 + Interior Arrangement, 229 +Cottage Outside Decoration, 231 + Cottages on the Skirts of Estates, 233 +House and Cottage Furniture, 235 +APIARY, OR BEE HOUSE, 246 + View of Apiary and Ground Plan, and description, 249 + Mode of Taking the Honey, 252 +AN ICE HOUSE, 258 + Elevation and Ground Plan, 260 +AN ASH HOUSE AND SMOKE HOUSE, 264 + Elevation and Ground Plan, 265 +THE POULTRY HOUSE, 267 + Elevation and Ground Plan, 269 + Interior Arrangement, 271 +THE DOVECOTE, 275 + Different Varieties of Pigeons, 278 +A PIGGERY, 279 + Elevation and Ground Plan, 281 + Interior Arrangement, 282 + Construction of Piggery--Cost, 283 +FARM BARNS, 286 +DESIGN I. Description, 291 + Interior Arrangement, and Main Floor Plan, 293 + Underground Plan, and Yard, 295 +DESIGN II. Description, 300 + Interior Arrangement, 303 + Floor Plan, 304 +BARN ATTACHMENTS, 308 +RABBITS, 311 + Mr. Rotch's Description of his Rabbits, 313 + Rabbits and Hutch, 315 + Dutch, and English Rabbits, 318 + Mode of Feeding, 319 + Mr. Rodman's Rabbitry, Elevation, and Floor Plan, 322 + Explanations, 323 + Loft or Garret, Explanation, 324 + Cellar plan, Explanation, 325 + Front and Back of Hutches, and Explanation, 326 +DAIRY BUILDINGS, 330 + Cheese Dairy House, 330 + Elevation of Dairy House and Ground Plan, 331 + Interior Arrangement, 333 + The Butter Dairy, 335 +THE WATER RAM, 237 + Figure and Description, 338 +GRANARY--Rat-proof, 343 +IMPROVED DOMESTIC ANIMALS, 345 + Short Horn Bull, 349 + Short Horn Cow, 352 + Devon Cow and Bull, 355 + Southdown Ram and Ewe, 359 + Long-wooled Ram and Ewe, 362 + Common Sheep, 364 + Remarks, 365 +WATERFOWLS, 370 + The African Goose, 370 + China Goose, 371 + Bremen Goose, 372 +A WORD ABOUT DOGS, 374 + Smooth Terrier, 377 + Shepherd Dog, 381 + + + + +PREFATORY. + + +This work owes its appearance to the absence of any cheap and popular +book on the subject of Rural Architecture, exclusively intended for the +farming or agricultural interest of the United States. Why it is, that +nothing of the kind has been heretofore attempted for the chief benefit +of so large and important a class of our community as our farmers +comprise, is not easy to say, unless it be that they themselves have +indicated but little wish for instruction in a branch of domestic +economy which is, in reality, one of great importance, not only to their +domestic enjoyment, but their pecuniary welfare. It is, too, perhaps, +among the category of neglects, and in the lack of fidelity to their own +interests which pervades the agricultural community of this country, +beyond those of any other profession--for we insist that agriculture, +in its true and extended sense, is as much a profession as any other +pursuit whatever. To the reality of such neglects they have but of late +awaked, and indeed are now far too slowly wheeling into line for more +active progress in the knowledge pertaining to their own advancement. As +an accessory to their labors in such advancement, the present work is +intended. + +It is an opinion far too prevalent among those engaged in the more +active occupations of our people,--fortified indeed in such opinion, +by the too frequent example of the farmer himself--that everything +connected with agriculture and agricultural life is of a rustic and +uncouth character; that it is a profession in which ignorance, as they +understand the term, is entirely consistent, and one with which no +aspirations of a high or an elevated character should, or at least need +be connected. It is a reflection upon the integrity of the great +agricultural interest of the country, that any such opinion should +prevail; and discreditable to that interest, that its condition or +example should for a moment justify, or even tolerate it. + +Without going into any extended course of remark, we shall find ample +reason for the indifference which has prevailed among our rural +population, on the subject of their own domestic architecture, in the +absence of familiar and practical works on the subject, by such as have +given any considerable degree of thought to it; and, what little thought +has been devoted to this branch of building, has been incidentally +rather than directly thrown off by those professionally engaged in the +finer architectural studies appertaining to luxury and taste, instead of +the every-day wants of a strictly agricultural population, and, of +consequence, understanding but imperfectly the wants and conveniences of +the farm house in its connection with the every-day labors and +necessities of farm life. + +It is not intended, in these remarks, to depreciate the efforts of those +who have attempted to instruct our farmers in this interesting branch of +agricultural economy. We owe them a debt of gratitude for what they have +accomplished in the introduction of their designs to our notice; and +when it is remarked that they are insufficient for the purposes +intended, it may be also taken as an admission of our own neglect, that +we have so far disregarded the subject ourselves, as to force upon +others the duty of essaying to instruct us in a work of which we +ourselves should long ago have been the masters. + +Why should a farmer, because he _is_ a farmer, only occupy an uncouth, +outlandish house, any more than a professional man, a merchant, or a +mechanic? Is it because he himself is so uncouth and outlandish in his +thoughts and manners, that he deserves no better? Is it because his +occupation is degrading, his intellect ignorant, his position in life +low, and his associations debasing? Surely not. Yet, in many of the +plans and designs got up for his accommodation, in the books and +publications of the day, all due convenience, to say nothing of the +respectability or the elegance of domestic life, is as entirely +disregarded as if such qualities had no connection with the farmer or +his occupation. We hold, that although many of the practical operations +of the farm may be rough, laborious, and untidy, yet they are not, and +need not be inconsistent with the knowledge and practice of neatness, +order, and even elegance and refinement within doors; and, that the due +accommodation of the various things appertaining to farm stock, farm +labor, and farm life, should have a tendency to elevate the social +position, the associations, thoughts, and entire condition of the +farmer. As the man himself--no matter what his occupation--be lodged and +fed, so influenced, in a degree, will be his practice in the daily +duties of his life. A squalid, miserable tenement, with which they who +inhabit it are content, can lead to no elevation of character, no +improvement in condition, either social or moral, of its occupants. But, +the family comfortably and tidily, although humbly provided in their +habitation and domestic arrangements, have usually a corresponding +character in their personal relations. A log cabin, even,--and I speak +of this primitive American structure with profound affection and regard, +as the shelter from which we have achieved the most of our prodigious +and rapid agricultural conquests,--may be so constructed as to speak an +air of neatness, intelligence, and even refinement in those who inhabit +it. + +Admitting, then, without further argument, that well conditioned +household accommodations are as important to the farmer, even to the +indulgence of luxury itself, when it can be afforded, as for those who +occupy other and more active pursuits, it is quite important that he be +equally well instructed in the art of planning and arranging these +accommodations, and in designing, also, the various other structures +which are necessary to his wants in their fullest extent. As a question +of economy, both in saving and accumulating, good and sufficient +buildings are of the first consequence, in a pecuniary light, and when +to this are added other considerations touching our social enjoyment, +our advancement in temporal condition, our associations, our position +and influence in life, and, not least, the decided item of national good +taste which the introduction of good buildings throughout our extended +agricultural country will give, we find abundant cause for effort in +improvement. + +It is not intended in our remarks to convey the impression that we +Americans, as a people, are destitute of comfortable, and, in many +cases, quite convenient household and farm arrangements. Numerous +farmeries in every section of the United States, particularly in the +older ones, demonstrate most fully, that where our farmers have taken +the trouble to _think_ on the subject, their ingenuity has been equal, +in the items of convenient and economical arrangement of their dwellings +and out-buildings, to their demands. But, we are forced to say, that +such buildings have been executed, in most cases, with great neglect of +_architectural_ system, taste, or effect; and, in many instances, to the +utter violation of all _propriety_ in appearance, or character, as +appertaining to the uses for which they are applied. + +The character of the farm should be carried out so as to _express_ +itself in everything which it contains. All should bear a consistent +relation with each other. The former himself is a plain man. His family +are plain people, although none the less worthy, useful, or exalted, on +that account. His structures, of every kind, should be plain, also, yet +substantial, where substance is required. All these detract nothing from +his respectability or his influence in the neighborhood, the town, the +county, or the state. A farmer has quite as much business in the field, +or about his ordinary occupations, with ragged garments, out at elbows, +and a crownless hat, as he has to occupy a leaky, wind-broken, and +dilapidated house. Neither is he any nearer the mark, with a ruffled +shirt, a fancy dress, or gloved hands, when following his plough behind +a pair of _fancy_ horses, than in living in a finical, pretending house, +such as we see stuck up in conspicuous places in many parts of the +country. All these are out of place in each extreme, and the one is as +absurd, so far as true propriety is concerned, as the other. A fitness +of things, or a correspondence of one thing with another, should always +be preserved upon the farm, as elsewhere; and there is not a single +reason why propriety and good keeping should not as well distinguish it. +Nor is there any good cause why the farmer himself should not be a man +of taste, in the arrangement and architecture of every building on his +place, as well as other men. It is only necessary that he devote a +little time to study, in order to give his mind a right direction in all +that appertains to this department. Or, if he prefer to employ the +ingenuity of others to do his planning,--which, by the way, is, in most +cases, the more natural and better course,--he certainly should possess +sufficient judgment to see that such plans be correct and will answer +his purposes. + +The plans and directions submitted in this work are intended to be of +the most practical kind; plain, substantial, and applicable, throughout, +to the purposes intended, and such as are within the reach--each in +their kind--of every farmer in our country. These plans are chiefly +original; that is, they are not copied from any in the books, or from +any structures with which the writer is familiar. Yet they will +doubtless, on examination, be found in several cases to resemble +buildings, both in outward appearance and interior arrangement, with +which numerous readers may be acquainted. The object, in addition to our +own designs, has been to apply practical hints, gathered from other +structures in use, which have seemed appropriate for a work of the +limited extent here offered, and that may serve to improve the taste of +all such as, in building useful structures, desire to embellish their +farms and estates in an agreeable style of home architecture, at once +pleasant to the eye, and convenient in their arrangement. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY. + + +The lover of country life who looks upon rural objects in the true +spirit, and, for the first time surveys the cultivated portions of the +United States, will be struck with the incongruous appearance and style +of our farm houses and their contiguous buildings; and, although, on +examination, he will find many, that in their interior accommodation, +and perhaps relative arrangement to each other, are tolerably suited to +the business and convenience of the husbandman, still, the feeling will +prevail that there is an absence of method, congruity, and correct taste +in the architectural structure of his buildings generally, by the +American farmer. + +We may, in truth, be said to have no architecture at all, as exhibited +in our agricultural districts, so far as any correct system, or plan is +concerned, as the better taste in building, which a few years past has +introduced among us, has been chiefly confined to our cities and towns +of rapid growth. Even in the comparatively few buildings in the modern +style to be seen in our farming districts, from the various requirements +of those buildings being partially unknown to the architect and builder, +who had their planning--and upon whom, owing to their own inexperience +in such matters, their employers have relied--a majority of such +dwellings have turned out, if not absolute failures, certainly not what +the necessities of the farmer has demanded. Consequently, save in the +mere item of outward appearance--and that, not always--the farmer and +cottager have gained nothing, owing to the absurdity in style or +arrangement, and want of fitness to circumstances adopted for the +occasion. + +We have stated that our prevailing rural architecture is discordant in +appearance; it may be added, that it is also uncouth, out of keeping +with correct rules, and, ofttimes offensive to the eye of any lover of +rural harmony. Why it is so, no matter, beyond the apology already +given--that of an absence of cultivation, and thought upon the subject. +It may be asked, of what consequence is it that the farmer or small +property-holder should conform to given rules, or mode, in the style and +arrangement of his dwelling, or out-buildings, so that they be +reasonably convenient, and answer his purposes? For the same reason that +he requires symmetry, excellence of form or style, in his horses, his +cattle, or other farm stock, household furniture, or personal dress. +It is an arrangement of artificial objects, in harmony with natural +objects; a cultivation of the sympathies which every rational being +should have, more or less, with true taste; that costs little or nothing +in the attainment, and, when attained, is a source of gratification +through life. Every human being is bound, under ordinary circumstances, +to leave the world somewhat better, so far as his own acts or exertions +are concerned, than he found it, in the exercise of such faculties as +have been given him. Such duty, among thinking men, is conceded, so far +as the moral world is concerned; and why not in the artificial? So far +as the influence for good goes, in all practical use, from the building +of a temple, to the knocking together of a pig-stye--a labor of years, +or the work of a day--the exercise of a correct taste is important, in a +degree. + +In the available physical features of a country, no land upon earth +exceeds North America. From scenery the most sublime, through the +several gradations of magnificence and grandeur, down to the simply +picturesque and beautiful, in all variety and shade; in compass vast, or +in area limited, we have an endless variety, and, with a pouring out of +God's harmonies in the creation, without a parallel, inviting every +intelligent mind to study their features and character, in adapting them +to his own uses, and, in so doing, to even embellish--if such a thing be +possible--such exquisite objects with his own most ingenious handiwork. +Indeed, it is a profanation to do otherwise; and when so to improve them +requires no extraordinary application of skill, or any extravagant +outlay in expense, not to plan and to build in conformity with good +taste, is an absolute barbarism, inexcusable in a land like ours, and +among a population claiming the intelligence we do, or making but a +share of the general progress which we exhibit. + +It is the idea of some, that a house or building which the farmer or +planter occupies, should, in shape, style, and character, be like some +of the stored-up commodities of his farm or plantation. We cannot +subscribe to this suggestion. We know of no good reason why the walls of +a farm house should appear like a hay rick, or its roof like the +thatched covering to his wheat stacks, because such are the shapes best +adapted to preserve his crops, any more than the grocer's habitation +should be made to imitate a tea chest, or the shipping merchant's a rum +puncheon, or cotton bale. We have an idea that the farmer, or the +planter, according to his means and requirements, should be as well +housed and accommodated, and in as agreeable style, too, as any other +class of community; not in like character, in all things, to be sure, +but in his own proper way and manner. Nor do we know why a farm house +should assume a peculiarly primitive or uncultivated style of +architecture, from other sensible houses. That it be a _farm_ house, is +sufficiently apparent from its locality upon the farm itself; that its +interior arrangement be for the convenience of the in-door farm work, +and the proper accommodation of the farmer's family, should be quite as +apparent; but, that it should assume an uncouth or clownish aspect, is +as unnecessary as that the farmer himself should be a boor in his +manners, or a dolt in his intellect. + +The farm, in its proper cultivation, is the foundation of all human +prosperity, and from it is derived the main wealth of the community. +From the farm chiefly springs that energetic class of men, who replace +the enervated and physically decaying multitude continually thrown off +in the waste-weir of our great commercial and manufacturing cities and +towns, whose population, without the infusion--and that continually--of +the strong, substantial, and vigorous life blood of the country, would +soon dwindle into insignificance and decrepitude. Why then should not +this first, primitive, health-enjoying and life-sustaining class of our +people be equally accommodated in all that gives to social and +substantial life, its due development? It is absurd to deny them by +others, or that they deny themselves, the least of such advantages, or +that any mark of _caste_ be attempted to separate them from any other +class or profession of equal wealth, means, or necessity. It is quite as +well to say that the farmer should worship on the Sabbath in a +_meeting-house_, built after the fashion of his barn, or that his +district school house should look like a stable, as that his dwelling +should not exhibit all that cheerfulness and respectability in form and +feature which belongs to the houses of any class of our population +whatever. Not that the farm house should be like the town or the village +house, in character, style, or architecture, but that it should, in its +own proper character, express all the comfort, repose, and quietude +which belong to the retired and thoughtful occupation of him who +inhabits it. Sheltered in its own secluded, yet independent domain, with +a cheerful, _intelligent_ exterior, it should exhibit all the +pains-taking in home embellishment and rural decoration that becomes its +position, and which would make it an object of attraction and regard. + + + * * * * * + + RURAL ARCHITECTURE. + + * * * * * + + +GENERAL SUGGESTIONS. + + +In ascertaining what is desirable to the conveniences, or the +necessities in our household arrangement, it may be not unprofitable to +look about us, and consider somewhat, the existing condition of the +structures too many of us now inhabit, and which, in the light of true +fitness for the objects designed, are inconvenient, absurd, and out of +all harmony of purpose; yet, under the guidance of a better skill, and a +moderate outlay, might be well adapted, in most cases, to our +convenience and comfort, and quite well, to a reasonable standard of +taste in architectural appearance. + +At the threshold--not of the house, but of this treatise--it may be well +to remark that it is not here assumed that there has been neither skill, +ingenuity, nor occasional good taste exhibited, for many generations +back, in the United States, in the construction of farm and country +houses. On the contrary, there are found in the older states many farm +and country houses that are almost models, in their way, for convenience +in the main purposes required of structures of their kind, and such as +can hardly be altered for the better. Such, however, form the exception, +not the rule; yet instead of standing as objects for imitation, they +have been ruled out as antiquated, and unfit for modern builders to +consult, who have in the introduction of some real improvements, also +left out, or discarded much that is valuable, and, where true comfort is +concerned, indispensable to perfect housekeeping. Alteration is not +always improvement, and in the rage for innovation of all kinds, among +much that is valuable, a great deal in house-building has been +introduced that is absolutely pernicious. Take, for instance, some of +our ancient-looking country houses of the last century, which, in +America, we call old. See their ample dimensions; their heavy, massive +walls; their low, comfortable ceilings; their high gables; sharp roofs; +deep porches, and spreading eaves, and contrast them with the ambitious, +tall, proportionless, and card-sided things of a modern date, and draw +the comparison in true comfort, which the ancient mansion really +affords, by the side of the other. Bating its huge chimneys, its wide +fire-places, its heavy beams dropping below the ceiling overhead, and +the lack of some modern conveniences, which, to be added, would give all +that is desired, and every man possessed of a proper judgment will +concede the superiority to the house of the last century. + +That American house-building of the last fifty years is out of joint, +requires no better proof than that the main improvements which have been +applied to our rural architecture, are in the English style of farm and +country houses of two or three centuries ago; so, in that particular, we +acknowledge the better taste and judgment of our ancestors. True, modern +luxury, and in some particulars, modern improvement has made obsolete, +if not absurd, many things considered indispensable in a ruder age. The +wide, rambling halls and rooms; the huge, deep fire-places in the +chimneys; the proximity of out-buildings, and the contiguity of stables, +ricks, and cattle-yards--all these are wisely contracted, dispensed +with, or thrown off to a proper distance; but instead of such style +being abandoned altogether, as has too often been done, the house itself +might better have been partially reformed, and the interior arrangement +adapted to modern convenience. Such changes have in some instances been +made; and when so, how often does the old mansion, with outward features +in good preservation, outspeak, in all the expression of home-bred +comforts, the flashy, gimcrack neighbor, which in its plenitude of +modern pretension looks so flauntingly down upon it! + +We cannot, in the United States, consistently adopt the domestic +architecture of any other country, throughout, to our use. We are +different in our institutions, our habits, our agriculture, our +climates. Utility is our chief object, and coupled with that, the +indulgence of an agreeable taste may be permitted to every one who +creates a home for himself, or founds one for his family. The frequent +changes of estates incident to our laws, and the many inducements held +out to our people to change their locality or residence, in the hope of +bettering their condition, is a strong hindrance to the adoption of a +universally correct system in the construction of our buildings; +deadening, as the effect of such changes, that home feeling which should +be a prominent trait of agricultural character. An attachment to +locality is not a conspicuous trait of American character; and if there +be a people on earth boasting a high civilization and intelligence, who +are at the same time a roving race, the Americans are that people; and +we acknowledge it a blemish in our domestic and social constitution. + +Such remark is not dropped invidiously, but as a reason why we have thus +far made so little progress in the arts of home embellishment, and in +clustering about our habitations those innumerable attractions which win +us to them sufficiently to repel the temptation so often presented to +our enterprise, our ambition, or love of gain--and these not always +successful--in seeking other and distant places of abode. If, then, this +tendency to change--a want of attachment to any one spot--is a reason +why we have been so indifferent to domestic architecture; and if the +study and practice of a better system of building tends to cultivate a +home feeling, why should it not be encouraged? Home attachment is a +virtue. Therefore let that virtue be cherished. And if any one study +tend to exalt our taste, and promote our enjoyment, let us cultivate +that study to the highest extent within our reach. + + + + +STYLE OF BUILDING.--MISCELLANEOUS. + + +Diversified as are the features of our country in climate, soil, +surface, and position, no one style of rural architecture is properly +adapted to the whole; and it is a gratifying incident to the indulgence +in a variety of taste, that we possess the opportunity which we desire +in its display to almost any extent in mode and effect. The Swiss chalet +may hang in the mountain pass; the pointed Gothic may shoot up among the +evergreens of the rugged hill-side; the Italian roof, with its +overlooking campanile, may command the wooded slope or the open plain; +or the quaint and shadowy style of the old English mansion, embosomed in +its vines and shrubbery, may nestle in the quiet, shaded valley, all +suited to their respective positions, and each in harmony with the +natural features by which it is surrounded. Nor does the effect which +such structures give to the landscape in an ornamental point of view, +require that they be more imposing in character than the necessities of +the occasion may demand. True economy demands a structure sufficiently +spacious to accommodate its occupants in the best manner, so far as +convenience and comfort are concerned in a dwelling; and its conformity +to just rules in architecture need not be additionally expensive or +troublesome. He who builds at all, if it be anything beyond a rude or +temporary shelter, may as easily and cheaply build in accordance with +correct rules of architecture, as against such rules; and it no more +requires an extravagance in cost or a wasteful occupation of room to +produce a given effect in a house suited to humble means, than in one of +profuse accommodation. Magnificence, or the attempt at magnificence in +building, is the great fault with Americans who aim to build out of the +common line; and the consequence of such attempt is too often a failure, +apparent, always, at a glance, and of course a perfect condemnation in +itself of the judgment as well as taste of him who undertakes it. + +Holding our tenures as we do, with no privilege of entail to our +posterity, an eye to his own interest, or to that of his family who is +to succeed to his estate, should admonish the builder of a house to the +adoption of a plan which will, in case of the sale of the estate, +involve no serious loss. He should build such a house as will be no +detriment, in its expense, to the selling value of the land on which it +stands, and always fitted for the spot it occupies. Hence, an imitation +of the high, extended, castellated mansions of England, or the +Continent, although in miniature, are altogether unsuited to the +American farmer or planter, whose lands, instead of increasing in his +family, are continually subject to division, or to sale in mass, on his +own demise; and when the estate is encumbered with unnecessarily large +and expensive buildings, they become an absolute drawback to its value +in either event. An expensive house requires a corresponding expense to +maintain it, otherwise its effect is lost, and many a worthy owner of a +costly mansion has been driven to sell and abandon his estate +altogether, from his unwillingness or inability to support "the +establishment" which it entailed; when, if the dwelling were only such +as the estate required and could reasonably maintain, a contented and +happy home would have remained to himself and family. It behooves, +therefore, the American builder to examine well his premises, to +ascertain the actual requirements of his farm or plantation, in +convenience and accommodation, and build only to such extent, and at +such cost as shall not impoverish his means, nor cause him future +disquietude. + +Another difficulty with us is, that we oftener build to gratify the eyes +of the public than our own, and fit up our dwellings to accommodate +"company" or visitors, rather than our own families; and in the +indulgence of this false notion, subject ourselves to perpetual +inconvenience for the gratification of occasional hospitality or +ostentation. This is all wrong. A house should be planned and +constructed for the use of the household, with _incidental_ +accommodation for our immediate friends or guests--which can always be +done without sacrifice to the comfort or convenience of the regular +inmates. In this remark, a stinted and parsimonious spirit is not +suggested. A liberal appropriation of rooms in every department; a spare +chamber or two, or an additional room on the ground floor, looking to a +possible increase of family, and the indulgence of an easy hospitality, +should always govern the resident of the country in erecting his +dwelling. The enjoyments of society and the intercourse of friends, +sharing for the time, our own table and fireside, is a crowning pleasure +of country life; and all this may be done without extraordinary expense, +in a wise construction of the dwelling. + +The farm house too, should comport in character and area with the extent +and capacity of the farm itself, and the main design for which it is +erected. To the farmer proper--he who lives from the income which the +farm produces--it is important to know the extent of accommodation +required for the economical management of his estate, and then to build +in accordance with it, as well as to suit his own position in life, and +the station which he and his family hold in society. The owner of a +hundred acre farm, living upon the income he receives from it, will +require less house room than he who tills equally well his farm of +three, six, or ten hundred acres. Yet the numbers in their respective +families, the relative position of each in society, or their taste for +social intercourse may demand a larger or smaller household arrangement, +regardless of the size of their estates; still, the dwellings on each +should bear, in extent and expense, a consistent relation to the land +itself, and the means of its owner. For instance: a farm of one hundred +acres may safely and economically erect and maintain a house costing +eight hundred to two thousand dollars, while one of five hundred to a +thousand acres may range in an expenditure of twenty-five hundred to +five thousand dollars in its dwelling, and all be consistent with a +proper economy in farm management. + +Let it be understood, that the above sums are named as simply comporting +with a financial view of the subject, and such as the economical +management of the estate may warrant. To one who has no regard to such +consideration, this rule of expenditure will not apply. He may invest +any amount he so chooses in building beyond, if he only be content to +pocket the loss which he can never expect to be returned in an increased +value to the property, over and above the price of cheaper buildings. On +the other hand, he would do well to consider that a farm is frequently +worth less to an ordinary purchaser, with an extravagant house upon it, +than with an economical one, and in many cases will bring even less in +market, in proportion as the dwelling is expensive. _Fancy_ purchasers +are few, and fastidious, while he who buys only for a home and an +occupation, is governed solely by the profitable returns the estate will +afford upon the capital invested. + +There is again a grand error which many fall into in building, looking +as they do only at the extent of wood and timber; or stone and mortar in +the structure, and paying no attention to the surroundings, which in +most cases contribute more to the effect of the establishment than the +structure itself, and which, if uncultivated or neglected, any amount of +expenditure in building will fail to give that completeness and +perfection of character which every homestead should command. Thus the +tawdry erections in imitation of a cast-off feudalism in Europe, or a +copying of the massive piles of more recent date abroad, although in +miniature, both in extent and cost, is the sheerest affectation, in +which no sensible man should ever indulge. It is out of all keeping, or +propriety with other things, as we in this country have them, and the +indulgence of all such fancies is sooner or later regretted. Substance, +convenience, purpose, harmony--all, perhaps, better summed up in the +term EXPRESSION--these are the objects which should govern the +construction of our dwellings and out-buildings, and in their observance +we can hardly err in the acquisition of what will promote the highest +enjoyment which a dwelling can bestow. + + + + +POSITION. + + +The site of a dwelling should be an important study with every country +builder; for on this depends much of its utility, and in addition to +that, a large share of the enjoyment which its occupation will afford. +Custom, in many parts of the United States, in the location of the farm +buildings, gives advantages which are denied in others. In the south, +and in the slave states generally, the planter builds, regardless of +roads, on the most convenient site his plantation presents; the farmer +of German descent, in Pennsylvania and some other states, does the same: +while the Yankee, be he settled where he will, either in the east, +north, or west, inexorably huddles himself immediately upon the highway, +whether his possessions embrace both sides of it or not, disregarding +the facilities of access to his fields, the convenience of tilling his +crops, or the character of the ground which his buildings may occupy, +seeming to have no other object than proximity to the road--as if his +chief business was upon that, instead of its being simply a convenience +to his occupation. To the last, but little choice is left; and so long +as a close connection with the thoroughfare is to control, he is obliged +to conform to accident in what should be a matter of deliberate choice +and judgment. Still, there are right and wrong positions for a house, +which it is necessary to discuss, regardless of conventional rules, and +they should be considered in the light of propriety alone. + +A fitness to the purposes for which the dwelling is constructed should, +unquestionably, be the governing point in determining its position. The +site should be dry, and slightly declining, if possible, on every side; +but if the surface be level, or where water occasionally flows from +contiguous grounds, or on a soil naturally damp, it should be thoroughly +drained of all superfluous moisture. That is indispensable to the +preservation of the house itself, and the health of its inmates. The +house should so stand as to present an agreeable aspect from the main +points at which it is seen, or the thoroughfares by which it is +approached. It should be so arranged as to afford protection from wind +and storm, to that part most usually occupied, as well as be easy of +access to the out-buildings appended to it. It should have an +unmistakable front, sides, and rear; and the uses to which its various +parts are applied, should distinctly appear in its outward character. +It should combine all the advantages of soil, cultivation, water, shade, +and shelter, which the most liberal gratification, consistent with the +circumstances of the owner, may demand. If a site on the estate command +a prospect of singular beauty, other things equal, the dwelling should +embrace it; if the luxury of a stream, or a sheet of water in repose, +present itself, it should, if possible, be enjoyed; if the shade and +protection of a grove be near, its benefits should be included; in fine, +any object in itself desirable, and not embarrassing to the main +purposes of the dwelling and its appendages, should be turned to the +best account, and appropriated in such manner as to combine all that is +desirable both in beauty and effect, as well as in utility, to make up a +perfect whole in the family residence. + +Attached to the building site should be considered the quality of the +soil, as affording cultivation and growth to shrubbery and trees,--at +once the ornament most effective to all domestic buildings, grateful to +the eye always, as objects of admiration and beauty--delightful in the +repose they offer in hours of lassitude or weariness; and to them, that +indispensable feature in a perfect arrangement, the garden, both fruit +and vegetable, should be added. Happily for the American, our soils are +so universally adapted to the growth of vegetation in all its varieties, +that hardly a farm of considerable size can be found which does not +afford tolerable facilities for the exercise of all the taste which one +may indulge in the cultivation of the garden as well as in the planting +and growth of trees and shrubbery; and a due appropriation of these to +an agreeable residence is equal in importance to the style and +arrangement of the house itself. + +The site selected for the dwelling, and the character of the scenery and +objects immediately surrounding it, should have a controlling influence +upon the style in which the house is to be constructed. A fitness and +harmony in all these is indispensable to both expression and effect. And +in their determination, a single object should not control, but the +entire picture, as completed, should be embraced in the view; and that +style of building constituting the most agreeable whole, as filling the +eye with the most grateful sensations, should be the one selected with +which to fill up and complete the design. + + + + +HOME EMBELLISHMENTS. + + +A discussion of the objects by way of embellishment, which may be +required to give character and effect to a country residence, would +embrace a range too wide, in all its parts, for a simply practical +treatise like this; and general hints on the subject are all indeed, +that will be required, as no specific rules or directions can be given +which would be applicable, indiscriminately, to guide the builder in the +execution of his work. A dwelling house, no matter what the style, +standing alone, either on hill or plain, apart from other objects, would +hardly be an attractive sight. As a mere representation of a particular +style of architecture, or as a model of imitation, it might excite our +admiration, but it would not be an object on which the eye and the +imagination could repose with satisfaction. It would be incomplete +unless accompanied by such associates as the eye is accustomed to +embrace in the full gratification of the sensations to which that organ +is the conductor. But assemble around that dwelling subordinate +structures, trees, and shrubbery properly disposed, and it becomes an +object of exceeding interest and pleasure in the contemplation. It is +therefore, that the particular style or outward arrangement of the house +is but a part of what should constitute the general effect, and such +style is to be consulted only so far as it may in itself please the +taste, and give benefit or utility in the purposes for which it is +intended. Still, the architectural design should be in harmony with the +features of the surrounding scenery, and is thus important in completing +the effect sought, and which cannot be accomplished without it. + +A farm with its buildings, or a simple country residence with the +grounds which enclose it, or a cottage with its door-yard and garden, +should be finished sections of the landscape of which it forms a part, +or attractive points within it; and of consequence, complete each within +itself, and not dependent upon distant accessories to support it--an +_imperium in imperio_, in classic phrase. A tower, a monument, a +steeple, or the indistinct outline of a distant town may form a striking +feature in a pictorial design and the associations connected with them, +or, the character in which they are contemplated may allow them to stand +naked and unadorned by other objects, and still permit them to fill up +in perfect harmony the picture. This idea will illustrate the importance +of embellishment, not only in the substitution of trees as necessary +appendages to a complete rural establishment, but in the erection of all +the buildings necessary for occupation in any manner, in form and +position, to give effect from any point of view in which the homestead +may be seen. General appearance should not be confined to one quarter +alone, but the house and its surroundings on every side should show +completeness in design and harmony in execution; and although humble, +and devoted to the meanest purposes, a portion of these erections may +be, yet the character of utility or necessity which they maintain, gives +them an air of dignity, if not of grace. Thus, a house and out-buildings +flanked with orchards, or a wood, on which they apparently fall back for +support, fills the eye at once with not only a beautiful group, in +themselves combined, but associate the idea of repose, of comfort, and +abundance--indispensable requisites to a perfect farm residence. They +also seem to connect the house and out-buildings with the fields beyond, +which are of necessity naked of trees, and gradually spread the view +abroad over the farm until it mingles with, or is lost in the general +landscape. + +These remarks may seem too refined, and as out of place here, and +trenching upon the subject of Landscape Gardening, which is not designed +to be a part, or but an incidental one of the present work, yet they are +important in connection with the subject under discussion. The proper +disposition of trees and shrubbery around, or in the vicinity of +buildings is far too little understood, although tree planting about our +dwellings is a practice pretty general throughout our country. Nothing +is more common than to see a man build a house, perhaps in most +elaborate and expensive style, and then plant a row of trees close upon +the front, which when grown will shut it almost entirely out of view; +while he leaves the rear as bald and unprotected as if it were a barn or +a horse-shed--as if in utter ignorance, as he probably is, that his +house is more effectively set off by a _flanking_ and _background_ of +tree and shrubbery, than in front. And this is called good taste! Let us +examine it. Trees near a dwelling are desirable for shade; _shelter_ +they do not afford except in masses, which last is always better given +to the house itself by a veranda. Immediately adjoining, or within +touching distance of a house, trees create dampness, more or less +litter, and frequently vermin. They injure the walls and roofs by their +continual shade and dampness. They exclude the rays of the sun, and +prevent a free circulation of air. Therefore, _close_ to the house, +trees are absolutely pernicious, to say nothing of excluding all its +architectural effect from observation; when, if planted at proper +distances, they compose its finest ornaments. + +If it be necessary to build in good taste at all, it is quite as +necessary that such good taste be kept in view throughout. A country +dwelling should always be a conspicuous object in its full character and +outline, from one or more prominent points of observation; consequently +all plantations of tree or shrubbery in its immediate vicinity should be +considered as aids to show off the house and its appendages, instead of +becoming the principal objects of attraction in themselves. Their +disposition should be such as to create a perfect and agreeable whole, +when seen in connection with the house itself. They should also be so +placed as to open the surrounding landscape to view in its most +attractive features, from the various parts of the dwelling. Much in the +effective disposition of trees around the dwelling will thus depend upon +the character of the country seen from it, and which should control to a +great extent their position. A single tree, of grand and stately +dimensions, will frequently give greater effect than the most studied +plantations. A ledge of rock, in the clefts of which wild vines may +nestle, or around which a mass of shrubbery may cluster, will add a +charm to the dwelling which an elaborate cultivation would fail to +bestow; and the most negligent apparel of nature in a thousand ways may +give a character which we might strive in vain to accomplish by our own +invention. In the efforts to embellish our dwellings or grounds, the +strong natural objects with which they are associated should be +consulted, always keeping in view an _expression_ of the chief character +to which the whole is applied. + + + + +MATERIAL FOR FARM BUILDINGS. + + +In a country like ours, containing within its soils and upon its surface +such an abundance and variety of building material, the composition of +our farm erections must depend in most cases upon the ability or the +choice of the builder himself. + +Stone is the most durable, in the long run the cheapest, and as a +consequence, the _best_ material which can be furnished for the walls of +a dwelling. With other farm buildings circumstances may govern +differently; still, in many sections of the United States, even stone +cannot be obtained, except at an expense and inconvenience altogether +forbidding its use. Yet it is a happy relief that where stone is +difficult, or not at all to be obtained, the best of clay for bricks, +is abundant; and in almost all parts of our country, even where building +timber is scarce, its transportation is so comparatively light, and the +facilities of removing it are so cheap, that wood is accessible to every +one. Hence we may indulge in almost every fitting style of architecture +and arrangement, to which either kind of these materials are best +adapted. We shall slightly discuss them as applicable to our purposes. + +Stone is found either on the surface, or in quarries under ground. +On the surface they lie chiefly as bowlders of less or greater size, +usually of hard and durable kinds. Large bowlders may be either blasted, +or split with wedges into sufficiently available shapes to lay in walls +with mortar; or if small, they may with a little extra labor, be fitted +by the aid of good mortar into equally substantial wall as the larger +masses. In quarries they are thrown out, either by blasting or splitting +in layers, so as to form regular courses when laid up; and all their +varieties may, _unhammered_, except to strike off projecting points or +angles, be laid up with a sufficiently smooth face to give fine effect +to a building. Thus, when easily obtained, aside from the greater +advantages of their durability, stone is as cheap in the first instance +as lumber, excepting in new districts of country where good building +lumber is the chief article of production, and cheaper than brick in any +event. Stone requires no paint. Its color is a natural, therefore an +agreeable one, be it usually what it may, although some shades are more +grateful to the eye than others; yet it is always in harmony with +natural objects, and particularly so on the farm where everything ought +to wear the most substantial appearance. The outer walls of a stone +house should always be _firred_ off inside for _lathing_ and plastering, +to keep them thoroughly dry. Without that, the rooms are liable to +dampness, which would penetrate through the stone into the inside +plastering unless cut off by an open space of air between. + +Bricks, where stone is not found, supply its place tolerably well. When +made of good clay, rightly tempered with sand, and well burned, they +will in a wall remain for centuries, and as far as material is +concerned, answer all purposes. Brick walls may be thinner than stone +walls, but they equally require "firring off" for inside plastering, and +in addition, they need the aid of paint quite as often as wood, to give +them an agreeable color--bricks themselves not usually being in the +category of desirable colors or shades. + +Wood, when abundant and easily obtained, is worked with the greatest +facility, and on many accounts, is the cheapest material, _for the +time_, of which a building can be constructed. But it is perishable. It +requires every few years a coat of paint, and is always associated with +the idea of decay. Yet wood may be moulded into an infinite variety of +form to please the eye, in the indulgence of any peculiar taste or +fancy. + +We cannot, in the consideration of material for house-building +therefore, urge upon the farmer the adoption of either of the above +named materials to the preference of another, in any particular +structure he may require; but leave him to consult his own circumstances +in regard to them, as best he may. But this we will say: _If it be +possible_, never lay a _cellar_ or underground wall of perishable +material, such as wood or soft bricks; nor build with soft or _unburnt_ +bricks in a wall exposed to the weather _anywhere;_ nor with stone which +is liable to crumble or disintegrate by the action of frost or water +upon it. We are aware that unburnt bricks have been strongly recommended +for house-building in America; but from observation, we are fully +persuaded that they are worthless for any _permanent_ structure, and if +used, will in the end prove a dead loss in their application. Cottages, +out-buildings, and other cheap erections on the farm, for the +accommodation of laborers, stock, or crops, may be made of wood, where +wood is the cheapest and most easily obtained; and, even taking its +perishable nature into account, it may be the most economical. In their +construction, it may be simply a matter of calculation with him who +needs them, to calculate the first cost of any material he has at hand, +or may obtain, and to that add the interest upon it, the annual wear and +tear, the insurance, and the period it may last, to determine this +matter to his entire satisfaction--always provided he have the means at +hand to do either. But other considerations generally control the +American farmer. His pocket is apt more often to be pinched, than his +choice is to be at fault; and this weighty argument compels him into the +"make shift" system, which perhaps in its results, provided the main +chance be attained, is quite as advantageous to his interests as the +other. + +As a general remark, all buildings should show for themselves, what they +are built of. Let stone be stone; bricks show on their own account; and +of all things, put no counterfeit by way of plaster, stucco, or other +false pretence other than paint, or a durable wash upon wood: it is a +miserable affectation always, and of no possible use whatever. All +counterfeit of any kind as little becomes the buildings of the farmer, +as the gilded _pinchbeck_ watch would fit the finished attire of a +gentleman. + +Before submitting the several designs proposed for this work, it may be +remarked, that in addressing them to a climate strictly American, we +have in every instance adopted the wide, steeply-pitched roof, with +broad eaves, gables and cornices, as giving protection, shade, and +shelter to the walls; thus keeping them dry and in good preservation, +and giving that well housed, and comfortable expression, so different +from the stiff, pinched, and tucked-up look in which so many of the +haberdasher-built houses of the present day exult. + +We give some examples of the hipped roof, because they are convenient +and cheap in their construction; and we also throw into the designs a +lateral direction to the roofs of the wings, or connecting parts of the +building. This is sometimes done for effect in architectural appearance, +and sometimes for the economy and advantage of the building itself. +Where roofs thus intersect or connect with a side wall, the connecting +gutters should be made of copper, zinc, lead, galvanized iron, or tin, +into which the shingles, if they be covered with that material, should +be laid so as to effectually prevent leakage. The _eave gutters_ should +be of copper, zinc, lead, galvanized iron or tin, also, and placed _at +least_ one foot back from the edge of the roof, and lead the water into +conductors down the wall into the cistern or elsewhere, as may be +required. If the water be not needed, and the roof be wide over the +walls, there is no objection to let it pass off naturally, if it be no +inconvenience to the ground below, and can run off, or be absorbed into +the ground without detriment to the cellar walls. All this must be +subject to the judgment of the proprietor himself. + + + + +OUTSIDE COLOR. + + +We are not among those who cast off, and on a sudden condemn, as out of +all good taste, the time-honored white house with its green blinds, +often so tastefully gleaming out from beneath the shade of summer trees; +nor do we doggedly adhere to it, except when in keeping, by contrast or +otherwise, with everything around it. For a century past white has been +the chief color of our wooden houses, and often so of brick ones, in the +United States. This color has been supposed to be strong and durable, +being composed chiefly of white lead; and as it _reflected_ the rays of +the sun instead of _absorbing_ them, as some of the darker colors do, it +was thus considered a better preserver of the weather-boarding from the +cracks which the fervid heat of the sun is apt to make upon it, than the +darker colors. White, consequently, has always been considered, until +within a few years past, as a fitting and _tasteful_ color for +dwellings, both in town and country. A new school of _taste_ in colors +has risen, however, within a few years past, among us; about the same +time, too, that the recent gingerbread and beadwork style of country +building was introduced. And these were both, as all _new_ things are +apt to be, carried to extremes. Instead of _toning_ down the glare of +the white into some quiet, neutral shade, as a straw color; a drab of +different hues--always an agreeable and appropriate color for a +dwelling, particularly when the door and window casings are dressed with +a deeper or lighter shade, as those shades predominate in the main body +of the house; or a natural and soft _wood_ color, which also may be of +various shades; or even the warm russet hue of some of our rich +stones--quite appropriate, too, as applied to wood, or bricks--the +_fashion_ must be followed without either rhyme or reason, and hundreds +of our otherwise pretty and imposing country houses have been daubed +over with the dirtiest, gloomiest pigment imaginable, making every +habitation which it touched look more like a funeral appendage than a +cheerful, life-enjoying home. We candidly say that we have no sort of +affection for such sooty daubs. The fashion which dictates them is a +barbarous, false, and arbitrary fashion; void of all natural taste in +its inception; and to one who has a cheerful, life-loving spirit about +him, such colors have no more fitness on his dwelling or out-buildings, +than a tomb would have in his lawn or dooryard. + +Locality, amplitude of the buildings, the purpose to which they are +applied--every consideration connected with them, in fact, should be +consulted, as to color. Stone will give its own color; which, by the +way, some prodigiously smart folks _paint_--quite as decorous or +essential, as to "paint the lily." Brick sometimes must be painted, but +it should be of a color in keeping with its character,--of substance and +dignity; not a counterfeit of stone, or to cheat him who looks upon it +into a belief that it may be marble, or other unfounded pretension. +A _warm_ russet is most appropriate for brick-work of any kind of +color--the color of a russet apple, or undressed leather--shades that +comport with Milton's beautiful idea of + + "_Russet_ lawns and fallows _gray_." + +Red and yellow are both too glaring, and slate, or lead colors too +somber and cold. It is, in fact, a strong argument in favor of bricks in +building, where they can be had as cheap as stone or wood, that any +color can be given to them which the good taste of the builder may +require, in addition to their durability, which, when made of good +material, and properly burned, is quite equal to stone. In a wooden +structure one may play with his fancy in the way of color, minding in +the operation, that he does not play the mountebank, and like the clown +in the circus, make his tattooed tenement the derision of men of correct +taste, as the other does his burlesque visage the ridicule of his +auditors. + +A _wooden_ country house, together with its out-buildings, should always +be of a cheerful and softly-toned color--a color giving a feeling of +warmth and comfort; nothing glaring or flashy about it. And yet, such +buildings should not, in their color, any more than in their +architecture, appear as if _imitating_ either stone or brick. Wood, of +itself, is light. One cannot build a _heavy_ house of wood, as compared +with brick or stone. Therefore all imitation or device which may lead to +a belief that it may be other than what it really is, is nothing less +than a fraud--not criminal, we admit, but none the less a fraud upon +good taste and architectural truth. + +It is true that in this country we cannot afford to place in stone and +brick buildings those ornate trimmings and appendages which, perhaps, if +economy were not to be consulted, might be more durably constructed of +stone, but at an expense too great to be borne by those of moderate +means. Yet it is not essential that such appendages should be of so +expensive material. The very purposes to which they are applied, as a +parapet, a railing, a balustrade, a portico, piazza, or porch; all these +may be of wood, even when the material of the house _proper_ is of the +most durable kind; and by being painted in keeping with the building +itself, produce a fine effect, and do no violence to good taste or the +most fastidious propriety. They may be even sanded to a color, and +grained, stained, or otherwise brought to an identity, almost, with the +material of the house, and be quite proper, because they simply are +_appendages_ of convenience, necessity, or luxury, to the building +itself, and may be taken away without injuring or without defacing the +main structure. They are not a _material_ part of the building itself, +but reared for purposes which may be dispensed with. It is a matter of +taste or preference, that they were either built there, or that they +remain permanently afterward, and of consequence, proper that they be of +wood. Yet they should not _imitate_ stone or brick. They should still +show that they _are_ of wood, but in color and outside preservation +denote that they are appendages to a _stone_ or _brick_ house, by +complying with the proper shades in color which predominate in the +building itself, and become their own subordinate character. + +Not being a professional painter, or compounder of colors, we shall +offer no receipts or specifics for painting or washing buildings. +Climate affects the composition of both paints and washes, and those who +are competent in this line, are the proper persons to dictate their +various compositions; and we do but common justice to the skill and +intelligence of our numerous mechanics, when we recommend to those who +contemplate building, to apply forthwith to such as are masters of their +trade for all the information they require on the various subjects +connected with it. One who sets out to be his own architect, builder, +and painter, is akin to the lawyer in the proverb, who has a fool for +his client, when pleading his own case, and quite as apt to have quack +in them all. Hints, general outlines, and oftentimes matters of detail +in interior convenience, and many other minor affairs may be given by +the proprietor, when he is neither a professional architect, mechanic, +or even an amateur; but in all things affecting the _substantial_ and +important parts of his buildings, he should consult those who are +proficient and experienced in the department on which he consults them. +And it may perhaps be added that none _professing_ to be such, are +competent, unless well instructed, and whose labors have met the +approbation of those competent to judge. + +There is one kind of color, prevailing to a great extent in many parts +of our country, particularly the northern and eastern, which, in its +effect upon any one having an eye to a fitness of things in country +buildings, is a monstrous perversion of good taste. That is the glaring +red, made up of Venetian red, ochre, or Spanish brown, with doors and +windows touched off with white. The only apology we have ever heard +given for such a barbarism was, that it is a good, strong, and lasting +color. We shall not go into an examination as to that fact, but simply +answer, that if it be so, there are other colors, not more expensive, +which are equally strong and durable, and infinitely more tasteful and +fitting. There can be nothing less comporting with the simplicity of +rural scenery, than a glaring red color on a building. It _connects_ +with nothing natural about it; it neither _fades_ into any surrounding +shade of soil or vegetation, and must of necessity, stand out in its own +bold and unshrouded impudence, a perfect Ishmaelite in color, and a +perversion of every thing harmonious in the design. We eschew _red_, +therefore, from every thing in rural architecture. + + + + +A SHORT CHAPTER ON TASTE. + + +The compound words, or terms _good-taste_ and _bad-taste_ have been used +in the preceding pages without, perhaps, sufficiently explaining what is +meant by the word _taste_, other than as giving vague and unsatisfactory +terms to the reader in measuring the subject in hand. _Taste_ is a term +universally applied in criticism of the fine-arts, such as painting, +sculpture, architecture, &c., &c., of which there are many schools--of +_taste_, we mean--some of them, perhaps natural, but chiefly +conventional, and all more or less arbitrary. The proverb, "there is no +accounting for taste," is as old as the aforesaid schools themselves, +and defines perfectly our own estimate of the common usage of the term. + +As we have intended to use it, Webster defines the word _taste_ to be +"the faculty of discerning beauty, order, congruity, proportion, +symmetry, or whatever constitutes excellence; style; manner with respect +to what is pleasing." With this understanding, therefore; a fitness to +the purpose for which a thing is intended--got up in a manner agreeable +to the eye and the mind--preserving also a harmony between its various +parts and uses; pleasing to the eye, as addressed to the sense, and +satisfactory to the mind, as appropriate to the object for which it is +required;--these constitute _good-taste_, as the term is here +understood. + +The term _style_, also, is "the _manner_ or _form_ of a thing." +When we say, "that is a stylish house," it should mean that it is in, +or approaches some particular style of building recognized by the +schools. It may or may not be in accordance with good taste, and is, +consequently, subject to the same capricious test in its government. Yet +_styles_ are subject to arrangement, and are classified in the several +schools of architecture, either as distinct specimens of acknowledged +orders, as the Doric, the Ionic, the Corinthian, in Grecian +architecture, or, the Tuscan and Composite, which are, more distinctly, +styles of Roman architecture. To these may be added the Egyptian, the +most massive of all; and either of them, in their proper character, +grand and imposing when applied to public buildings or extensive +structures, but altogether inapplicable, from their want of lightness +and convenience, to country or even city dwellings. Other styles--not +exactly orders--of architecture, such as the Italian, the Romanesque, +the Gothic, the Swiss, with their modifications--all of which admit of a +variety of departures from fixed rules, not allowed in the more rigid +orders--may be adapted in a variety of ways, to the most agreeable and +harmonious arrangement in architectural effect, for dwellings and +structures appurtenant to them. + +The Italian style of architecture, modified somewhat in pretension and +extent, is admirably adapted to most parts of the United States. Its +general lightness, openness, and freedom gives a wide range of choice; +and its wings, verandas, and terraces, stretching off in any and almost +every direction desired, from the main building, make it exceedingly +appropriate for general use. The modern, or rural Gothic, branching off +sometimes into what is termed the English cottage style, and in many +instances blending so intimately with the Italian, as hardly to mark the +line of division, is also a beautiful _arrangement_ of building for +country dwellings. These, in ruder structures, may also be carried into +the Rustic--not a style proper, in itself--but so termed as +approximating in execution or pretension to either of the above; while +the Swiss, with its hanging roofs, and sheltering eaves may be +frequently brought in aid to show out the rustic form in more +completeness, and in greater harmony with surrounding objects, than +either of the others. + +For farm houses, either of these _arrangements_ or departures from a +_set_ and _positive_ style, are better fitted than any which we have +noticed; and in some one or other of the modifications named, we have +applied them in the examples submitted in this work. They may not +therefore be viewed as _distinct_ delineations of an _order_ of +architecture, or style _proper_, even; but as a _mode_ appropriate to +the object required. And so long as they do not absolutely conflict with +true taste, or in their construction commit a barbarism upon any +acknowledged system of architecture, in any of its modifications, we +hazard no impropriety in introducing them for the imitation of country +builders. Congruity with the objects to which it is applied should be +the chief merit of any structure whatever; and so long as that object be +attained, good taste is not violated, and utility is fully subserved. + +Intimately connected with this subject, in rural buildings, is the +_shape_ of the structure. Many of the designs recently introduced for +the imitation of builders, are full of angles and all sorts of zig-zag +lines, which, although they may add to the variety of style, or relieve +the monotony of straight and continuous lines, are carried to a needless +excess, expensive in their construction, and entail infinite trouble +upon the owner or occupant, in the repairs they subject him to, in the +leakages continually occurring, against which last, either of wind or +rain, it is almost impossible to guard. And what, let us ask, are the +benefits of a parcel of needless gables and peaked windows, running up +like owl's ears, above the eaves of a house, except to create expense, +and invite leakage and decay? If in appearance, they provoke an +association of that kind, they certainly are not in good taste; and a +foot or two of increased height in a wall, or a low window sufficient +for the purpose intended, would give a tone of dignity, of comfort, and +real utility, which a whole covey of such pretentious things could not. +All such trumpery should be scouted from the dwelling house of the +farmer, and left to the special indulgence of the town builder. + +A _square_ form of house will afford more area within a given line of +wall than any other _sensible_ form which may be adopted. Yet a square +house is not so agreeable to the eye as an oblong. Thus, a house should +stand somewhat broader on one front than on another. It should also be +relieved from an appearance of monotony and tameness, by one or more +wings; and such wings should, at their junction with the main building, +retreat or advance a sufficient distance from a continuous line, as to +relieve it effectually from an appearance of stiffness, and show a +different character of occupation from that of the main structure. The +front of a house should be the most imposing and finished in its +architecture of any one of its parts; and unless some motive of greater +convenience control otherwise, its entrance the most highly wrought, +as indicating the luxury of the establishment--for even the humblest +habitations have their luxuries. The side rooms, or more usually +occupied apartments, require less pretension in both architectural +effect and finish, and should wear a more subdued appearance; while the +kitchen section, and from that, the several grades of apartments +stretching beyond it, should distinctly show that they are subservient +in their character, and wear a style and finish accordingly. Thus, each +part of the house speaks for itself. It is its own finger-board, +pointing the stranger to its various accommodation, as plainly as if +written on its walls, and saying as significantly as dumb walls can do, +that here dwells a well regulated family, who have a parlor for their +friends; a library, or sitting-room for their own leisure and comfort; +an ample bedroom and nursery, for the parents and the little ones; a +kitchen for the cooking; and a scullery and closets, and all the other +etceteras which belong to a perfect family homestead. + +And so with the grounds. The lawn or "dooryard," should be the best kept +ground on the place. The most conspicuous part of the garden should show +its shrubbery and its flowers. The side or rear approach should be +separated from the lawn, and show its constant _business_ occupation, +and openly lead off to where men and farm stock meet on common ground, +devoted to every purpose which the farm requires. Such arrangement would +be complete in all its parts, satisfactory, and lasting. Tinsel +ornament, or gewgaw decoration should never be permitted on any building +where the sober enjoyment of agricultural life is designed. It can never +add consideration or dignity to the retired gentleman even, and least of +all should it be indulged in by the farmer, dwelling on his own +cultivated acres. + + + + +THE CONSTRUCTION OF CELLARS. + + +Every farm house and farm cottage, where a family of any size occupy the +latter, should have a good, substantial _stone_-walled cellar beneath +it. No room attached to the farm house is more profitable, in its +occupation, than the cellar. It is useful for storing numberless +articles which are necessary to be kept warm and dry in winter, as well +as cool in summer, of which the farmer is well aware. The walls of a +cellar should rise at least one, to two, or even three feet above the +level of the ground surrounding it, according to circumstances, and the +rooms in it well ventilated by _two_ or more sliding sash windows in +each, according to size, position, and the particular kind of storage +for which it is required, so that a draft of pure air can pass through, +and give it thorough ventilation at all times. It should also be at +least seven and a half feet high in the clear; and if it be even nine +feet, that is not too much. If the soil be compact, or such as will hold +water, it should be thoroughly drained from the lowest point or corner, +and the drain always kept open; (a stone drain is the best and most +durable,) and if floored with a coat of flat, or rubble stones, well set +in good hydraulic cement--or cement alone, when the stone cannot be +obtained--all the better. This last will make it _rat proof_. For the +purpose of avoiding these destructive creatures, the _foundation_ stones +in the wall should be brought to a joint, and project at least six +inches on each side, from the wall itself, when laid upon this bottom +course; as the usual manner of rats is to burrow in a nearly +perpendicular direction from the surface, by the side of the wall, when +intending to undermine it. On arriving at the bottom, if circumvented by +the projecting stones, they will usually abandon their work. Plank of +hard wood, or hard burnt bricks, may answer this purpose when stone +cannot be had. + +All cellar walls should be laid in good lime mortar, or if that be not +practicable, they should be well pointed with it. This keeps them in +place, and renders them less liable to the ingress of water and vermin. +The thickness of wall should not be less than fifteen to eighteen +inches, in any event, when of stone; and if the house walls above be +built of stone or brick, two feet is better; and in all cases the cellar +wall should be full three inches thicker than the wall resting upon it. + +In the cellar of every farm house there should be an outside door, with +a flight of steps by which to pass roots and other bulky or heavy +articles, to which a wagon or cart may approach, either to receive or +discharge them. This is indispensable. + +Every out-building upon the farm, let it be devoted to what purpose it +may, having a wooden floor on the ground story, should be set up +sufficiently high from the surface to admit a cat or small terrier dog +beneath such floor, with openings for them to pass in and out, or these +hiding places will become so many rat warrens upon the premises, and +prove most destructive to the grain and poultry. Nothing can be more +annoying to the farmer than these vermin, and a trifling outlay in the +beginning, will exclude them from the foundations and walls of all +buildings. Care, therefore, should be taken to leave no haunt for their +convenience. + +With these suggestions the ingenuity of every builder will provide +sufficient guards against the protection of vermin beneath his +buildings. + + + + +VENTILATION OF HOUSES. + + +Pure air, and enough of it, is the cheapest blessing one can enjoy; and +to deny one's self so indispensable an element of good health, is little +short of criminal neglect, or the sheerest folly. Yet thousands who +build at much needless expense, for the protection of their health and +that of their families, as they allege, and no doubt suppose, by +neglecting the simplest of all contrivances, in the work of ventilation, +invite disease and infirmity, from the very pains they so unwittingly +take to ward off such afflictions. + +A man, be he farmer or of other profession, finding himself prosperous +in life, sets about the very sensible business of building a house for +his own accommodation. Looking back, perhaps, to the days of his +boyhood, in a severe climate, he remembers the not very highly-finished +tenement of his father, and the wide, open fireplace which, with its +well piled logs, was scarcely able to warm the large living-room, where +the family were wont to huddle in winter. He possibly remembers, with +shivering sympathy, the sprinkling of snow which he was accustomed to +find upon his bed as he awaked in the morning, that had found its way +through the frail casing of his chamber window--but in the midst of all +which he grew up with a vigorous constitution, a strong arm, and a +determined spirit. He is resolved that _his_ children shall encounter no +such hardships, and that himself and his excellent helpmate shall suffer +no such inconvenience as his own parents had done, who now perhaps, are +enjoying a strong and serene old age, in their old-fashioned, yet to +them not uncomfortable tenement. He therefore determines to have a snug, +_close_ house, where the cold cannot penetrate. He employs all his +ingenuity to make every joint an air-tight fit; the doors must swing to +an air-tight joint; the windows set into air-tight frames; and to +perfect the catalogue of his comforts, an air-tight stove is introduced +into every occupied room which, perchance, if he can afford it, are +further warmed and poisoned by the heated flues of an air-tight furnace +in his air-tight cellar. In short, it is an air-tight concern +throughout. His family breathe an air-tight atmosphere; they eat their +food cooked in an "air-tight kitchen witch," of the latest "premium +pattern;" and thus they start, father, mother, children, all on the high +road--if persisted in--to a galloping consumption, which sooner or later +conducts them to an air-tight dwelling, not soon to be changed. If such +melancholy catastrophe be avoided, colds, catarrhs, headaches, and all +sorts of bodily afflictions shortly make their appearance, and they +wonder what is the matter! They live so snug! their house is so warm! +they sleep so comfortable! how can it be? True, in the morning the air +of their sleeping-rooms feels close, but then if a window is opened it +will chill the rooms, and that will give them colds. What _can_ be the +matter? The poor creatures never dream that they have been breathing, +for hour after hour, decomposed air, charged with poisonous gases, which +cannot escape through the tight walls, or over the tight windows, or +through the tight stoves; and thus they keep on in the sure course to +infirmity, disease, and premature death--all for the want of a little +ventilation! Better indeed, that instead of all this painstaking, a pane +were knocked out of every window, or a panel out of every door in the +house. + +We are not disposed to talk about cellar furnaces for heating a farmer's +house. They have little to do in the farmer's inventory of goods at all, +unless it be to give warmth to the hall--and even then a snug box stove, +with its pipe passing into the nearest chimney is, in most cases, the +better appendage. Fuel is usually abundant with the farmer; and where +so, its benefits are much better dispensed in open stoves or fireplaces, +than in heating furnaces or "air-tights." + +We have slightly discussed this subject of firing in the farm house, +in a previous page, but while in the vein, must crave another word. +A farmer's house should _look_ hospitable as well as _be_ hospitable, +both outside and in; and the broadest, most cheerful look of hospitality +within doors, in cold weather, is an _open_ fire in the chimney +fireplace, with the blazing wood upon it. There is no _mistake_ about +it. It thaws you out, if cold; it stirs you up, if drooping; and is the +welcome, winning introduction to the good cheer that is to follow. + +A short time ago we went to pay a former town friend a visit. He had +removed out to a snug little farm, where he could indulge his +agricultural and horticultural tastes, yet still attend to his town +engagements, and enjoy the quietude of the country. We rang the door +bell. A servant admitted us; and leaving overcoat and hat in the hall, +we entered a lone room, with an "air-tight" stove, looking as black and +solemn as a Turkish eunuch upon us, and giving out about the same degree +of genial warmth as the said eunuch would have expressed had he been +there--an emasculated warming machine truly! On the floor was a Wilton +carpet, too fine to stand on; around the room were mahogany sofas and +mahogany chairs, all too fine to sit on--at all events to _rest_ one +upon if he were fatigued. The blessed light of day was shut out by +crimson and white curtains, held up by gilded arrows; and upon the +mantle piece, and on the center and side tables were all sorts of +gimcracks, costly and worthless. In short, there was no _comfort_ about +the whole concern. Hearing our friend coming up from his dining-room +below, where too, was his _cellar kitchen_--that most abominable of all +appendages to a farm house, or to any other country house, for that +matter--we buttoned our coat up close and high, thrust our hands into +our pockets, and walked the room, as he entered. "Glad to see you--glad +to see you, my friend!" said he, in great joy; "but dear me, why so +buttoned up, as if you were going? What's the matter?" "My good sir," we +replied, "you asked us to come over and see you, 'a _plain farmer_,' and +'take a quiet family dinner with you.' We have done so; and here find +you with all your town nonsense about you. No fire to warm by; no seat +to rest in; no nothing like a farm or farmer about you; and it only +needs your charming better half, whom we always admired, when she lived +in town, to take down her enameled harp, and play + + 'In fairy bowers by moonlight hours,' + +to convince one that instead of ruralizing in the country, you had gone +a peg higher in town residence! No, no, we'll go down to farmer +Jocelyn's, our old schoolfellow, and take a dinner of bacon and cabbage +with him. If he does occupy a one-story house, he lives up in sunshine, +has an open fireplace, with a blazing wood fire on a chilly day, and his +'latch string is always out.'" + +Our friend was petrified--astonished! We meant to go it rather strong +upon him, but still kept a frank, good-humored face, that showed him no +malice. He began to think he was not exactly in character, and essayed +to explain. We listened to his story. His good wife came in, and all +together, we had a long talk of their family and farming arrangements; +how they had furnished their house; and how they proposed to live; but +wound up with a sad story, that their good farming neighbors didn't call +on them the _second_ time--kind, civil people they appeared, too--and +while they were in, acted as though afraid to sit down, and afraid to +stand up;--in short, they were dreadfully embarrassed; for why, our +friends couldn't tell, but now began to understand it. "Well, my good +friends," said we, "you have altogether mistaken country life in the +outset. To live on a farm, it is neither necessary to be vulgar, nor +clownish, nor to affect ignorance. _Simplicity_ is all you require, in +manners, and equal simplicity in your furniture and appointments. Now +just turn all this nonsense in furniture and room dressing out of doors, +and let some of your town friends have it. Get some simple, comfortable, +cottage furniture, much better for all purposes, than this, and you will +settle down into quiet, natural country life before you are aware of it, +and all will go 'merry as a marriage bell' with you, in a little +time"--for they both loved the country, and were truly excellent people. +We continued, "I came to spend the day and the night, and I will stay; +and this evening we'll go down to your neighbor Jocelyn's; and you, Mrs. +N----, shall go with us; and we will see how quietly and comfortably he +and his family take the world in a farmer's way." + +We did go; not in carriage and livery, but walked the pleasant half mile +that lay between them; the exercise of which gave us all activity and +good spirits. Jocelyn was right glad to see us, and Patty, his staid and +sober wife, with whom we had romped many an innocent hour in our +childhood days, was quite as glad as he. But they _looked_ a little +surprised that such "great folks" as their new neighbors, should drop in +so unceremoniously, and into their common "keeping room," too, to chat +away an evening. However, the embarrassment soon wore off. We talked of +farming; we talked of the late elections; we talked of the fruit trees +and the strawberry beds; and Mrs. Jocelyn, who was a pattern of good +housekeeping, told Mrs. N---- how _she_ made her apple jellies, and her +currant tarts, and cream cheeses; and before we left they had exchanged +ever so many engagements,--Mrs. Patty to learn her new friend to do half +a dozen nice little matters of household pickling and preserving; while +she, in turn, was to teach Nancy and Fanny, Patty's two rosy-cheeked +daughters, almost as pretty as their mother was at their own age, to +knit a bead bag and work a fancy chair seat! And then we had apples and +nuts, all of the very best--for Jocelyn was a rare hand at grafting and +managing his fruit trees, and knew the best apples all over the country. +We had, indeed, a capital time! To cut the story short, the next spring +our friend sent his _fancy_ furniture to auction, and provided his house +with simple cottage furnishings, at less than half the cost of the +other; which both he and his wife afterward declared was infinitely +better, for all house-keeping purposes. He also threw a neat wing on to +the cottage, for an upper kitchen and its offices, and they now live +like sensible country folks; and with their healthy, frolicksome +children, are worth the envy of all the dyspeptic, town-fed people in +existence. + +A long digression, truly; but so true a story, and one so apt to our +subject can not well be omitted. But what has all this to do with +ventilation? We'll tell you. Jocelyn's house was _ventilated_ as it +should be;--for he was a methodical, thoughtful man, who planned and +built his house himself--not the mechanical work, but directed it +throughout, and saw that it was faithfully done; and that put us in mind +of the story. + +To be perfect in its ventilation, every room in the house, even to the +closets, should be so arranged that a current of air _may_ pass through, +to keep it pure and dry. In living rooms, fresh air in sufficient +quantity may usually be admitted through the doors. In sleeping rooms +and closets, when doors may not be left open, one or more of the lower +panels of the door may be filled by a rolling blind, opening more or +less, at pleasure; or a square or oblong opening for that purpose, may +be left in the base board, at the floor, and covered by a wire netting. +And in all rooms, living apartments, as well as these, an opening of at +least sixty-four square inches should be made in the wall, near the +ceiling, and leading into an air flue, to pass into the garret. Such +opening may be filled by a rolling blind, or wire screen, as below, and +closed or kept open, at pleasure. Some builders prefer an air register +to be placed in the chimney, over the fireplace or stove, near the +ceiling; but the liability to annoyance, by smoke escaping through it +into the room, if not thoroughly done, is an objection to this latter +method, and the other may be made, in its construction, rather +ornamental than otherwise, in appearance. All such details as these +should be planned when the building is commenced, so that the several +flues may be provided as the building proceeds. In a stone or brick +house, a small space may be left in the walls, against which these air +registers may be required; and for inner rooms, or closets, they may +pass off into the openings of the partitions, and so up into the garret; +from which apertures of escape may be left, or made at the gables, under +the roof, or by a blind in a window. + +For the admission of air to the first floor of the house, a special +opening through the walls, for that purpose, can hardly be necessary; +as the doors leading outside are usually opened often enough for such +object. One of the best ventilated houses we have ever seen, is that +owned and occupied by Samuel Cloon, Esq., of Cincinnati. It is situated +on his farm, three miles out of the city, and in its fine architectural +appearance and finished appointments, as a rural residence and +first-class farm house, is not often excelled. Every closet is +ventilated through rolling blinds in the door panels; and foul air, +either admitted or created within them, is passed off at once by flues +near the ceiling overhead, passing into conductors leading off through +the garret. + +Where chambers are carried into the roof of a house, to any extent, they +are sometimes incommoded by the summer heat which penetrates them, +conducted by the chamber ceiling overhead. This heat can best be +obviated by inserting a small window at each opposite peak of the +garret, by which the outside air can circulate through, above the +chambers, and so pass off the heated air, which will continually ascend. +All this is a simple matter, for which any builder can provide, without +particular expense or trouble. + + + + +INTERIOR ACCOMMODATION OF HOUSES. + + +Ground, in the country, being the cheapest item which the farmer can +devote to building purposes, his object should be to _spread over_, +rather than to go deeply into it, or climb high in the air above it. +We repudiate cellar kitchens, or under-ground rooms for house work, +altogether, as being little better than a nuisance--dark, damp, +unhealthy, inconvenient, and expensive. The several rooms of a farm +dwelling house should be compact in arrangement, and contiguous as may +be to the principally-occupied apartments. Such arrangement is cheaper, +more convenient, and labor-saving; and in addition, more in accordance +with a good and correct taste in the outward appearance of the house +itself. + +The general introduction of cooking stoves, and other stoves and +apparatus for warming houses, within the last twenty years, which we +acknowledge to be a great acquisition in comfort as well as in +convenience and economy, has been carried to an extreme, not only in +shutting up and shutting out the time-honored open fireplace and its +broad hearthstone, with their hallowed associations, but also in +prejudice to the health of those who so indiscriminately use them, +regardless of other arrangements which ought to go with them. A farm +house should never be built without an ample, open fireplace in its +kitchen, and other _principally_ occupied rooms; and in all rooms where +stoves are placed, and fires are daily required, the _open_ Franklin +should take place of the close or air-tight stove, unless extraordinary +ventilation to such rooms be adopted also. The great charm of the +farmer's winter evening is the open fireside, with its cheerful blaze +and glowing embers; not wastefully expended, but giving out that genial +warmth and comfort which, to those who are accustomed to its enjoyment, +is a pleasure not made up by any invention whatever; and although the +cooking stove or range be required--which, in addition to the fireplace, +we would always recommend, to lighten female labor--it can be so +arranged as not to interfere with the enjoyment or convenience of the +open fire. + +In the construction of the chimneys which appear in the plans submitted, +the great majority of them--particularly those for northern +latitudes--are placed in the interior of the house. They are less liable +to communicate fire to the building, and assist greatly in warming the +rooms through which they pass. In southern houses they are not so +necessary, fires being required for a much less period of the year. Yet +even there they may be oftentimes properly so placed. Where holes, for +the passage of stovepipes through floors, partitions, or into chimneys, +are made, stone, earthen, or iron thimbles should be inserted; and, +except in the chimneys, such holes should be at least one to two inches +larger than the pipe itself. The main flues of the chimney conducting +off the smoke of the different fires, should be built separate, and kept +apart by a partition of one brick in thickness, and carried out +independently, as in no other way will they rid the house of smoky +rooms. + + [Illustration] + +An illustration in point: Fifteen years ago we purchased and removed +into a most substantial and well-built stone house, the chimneys of +which were constructed with open fireplaces, and the flues carried up +separately to the top, where they all met upon the same level surface, +as chimneys in past times usually were built, thus. Every fireplace in +the house (and some of them had stoves in,) smoked intolerably; so much +so, that when the wind was in some quarters the fires had to be put out +in every room but the kitchen, which, as good luck would have it, smoked +less--although it did smoke there--than the others. After balancing the +matter in our own mind some time, whether we should pull down and +rebuild the chimneys altogether, or attempt an alteration; as we had +given but little thought to the subject of chimney draft, and to try an +experiment was the cheapest, we set to work a bricklayer, who, under our +direction, simply built over each discharge of the several flues a +separate top of fifteen inches high, in this wise: The remedy was +perfect. We have had no smoke in the house since, blow the wind as it +may, on any and all occasions. The chimneys _can't_ smoke; and the whole +expense for four chimneys, with their twelve flues, was not twenty +dollars! The remedy was in giving each outlet a _distinct_ current of +air all around, and on every side of it. + + [Illustration] + + + + +CHIMNEY TOPS. + + +Nothing adds more to the outward expression of a dwelling, than the +style of its chimneys. We have just shown that independent chimney tops +pass off their smoke more perfectly, than when only partitioned inside +to the common point of outlet. Aside from the architectural beauty which +a group of chimney flues adds to the building, we have seen that they +are really useful, beyond the formal, square-sided piles so common +throughout the country. They denote good cheer, social firesides, and a +generous hospitality within--features which should always mark the +country dwelling; and more particularly that of the farmer. + +The style and arrangement of these chimney groups may be various, as +comporting with the design of the house itself; and any good architect +can arrange them as fitted to such design. Our illustrations will show +them of different kinds, which are generally cheap in construction, and +simple, yet expressive in their arrangement. + + + + +PRELIMINARY TO OUR DESIGNS. + + +We have discussed with tolerable fullness, the chief subjects connected +with farm buildings--sufficiently so, we trust, to make ourselves +understood as desiring to combine utility with commendable ornament in +all that pertains to them. The object has been, thus far, to give hints, +rather than models, in description. But as the point to which we have +endeavored to arrive will be but imperfectly understood without +illustration, we shall submit a few plans of houses and outbuildings, +as carrying out more fully our ideas. + +We are quite aware that different forms or fashions of detail and +finish, to both outside and inside work, prevail among builders in +different sections of the United States. Some of these fashions are the +result of climate, some of conventional taste, and some of education. +With them we are not disposed to quarrel. In many cases they are +immaterial to the main objects of the work, and so long as they please +the taste or partialities of those adopting them, are of little +consequence. There are, however, certain matters of _principle_, both in +general construction and in the detail of finish, which should not be +disregarded; and these, in the designs submitted, and in the +explanations which follow, will be fully discussed, each in its place. +The particular form or style of work we have not directed, because, as +before remarked, we are no professional builder, and of course free from +the dogmas which are too apt to be inculcated in the professional +schools and workshops. We give a wide berth, and a free toleration in +all such matters, and are not disposed to raise a hornet's nest about +our ears by interfering in matters where every tyro of the drafting +board and work-bench assumes to be, and probably may be, our superior. +All minor subjects we are free to leave to the skill and ingenuity of +the builder--who, fortunately for the country, is found in almost every +village and hamlet of the land. + +Modes and styles of finish, both inside and outside of buildings, +change; and that so frequently, that what is laid down as the reigning +fashion to-day, may be superseded by another fashion of +to-morrow--immaterial in themselves, only, and not affecting the shape, +arrangement, and accommodation of the building itself, which in these, +must ever maintain their relation with the use for which it is intended. +The northern dwelling, with its dependencies and appointments, requires +a more compact, snug, and connected arrangement than that of the south; +while one in the middle states may assume a style of arrangement between +them both, each fitted for their own climate and country, and in equally +good taste. The designs we are about to submit are intended to be such +as may be modified to any section of the country, although some of them +are made for extremes of north and south, and are so distinguished. +Another object we have had in view is, to give to every farmer and +country dweller of moderate means the opportunity of possessing a cheap +work which would guide him in the general objects which he wishes to +accomplish in building, that he may _have his own notions_ on the +subject, and not be subject to the caprice and government of such as +profess to exclusive knowledge in all that appertains to such subjects, +and in which, it need not be offensive to say, that although clever in +their way, they are sometimes apt to be mistaken. + +Therefore, without assuming _to instruct_ the professional builder, our +plans will be submitted, not without the hope that he even, may find in +them something worthy of consideration; and we offer them to the owner +and future occupant of the buildings themselves, as models which he may +adopt, with the confidence that they will answer all his reasonable +purposes. + + + + +DESIGN I. + + +We here present a farm house of the simplest and most unpretending kind, +suitable for a farm of twenty, fifty, or an hundred acres. Buildings +somewhat in this style are not unfrequently seen in the New England +States, and in New York; and the plan is in fact suggested, although not +copied, from some farm houses which we have known there, with +improvements and additions of our own. + + [Illustration: FARM HOUSE. Pages 73-74.] + +This house may be built either of stone, brick, or wood. The style is +rather rustic than otherwise, and intended to be altogether plain, yet +agreeable in outward appearance, and of quite convenient arrangement. +The body of this house is 40x30 feet on the ground, and 12 feet high, +to the plates for the roof; the lower rooms nine feet high; the roof +intended for a pitch of 35deg--but, by an error in the drawing, made +less--thus affording very tolerable chamber room in the roof story. The +L, or rear projection, containing the wash-room and wood-house, juts out +two feet from the side of the house to which it is attached, with posts +7-1/2 feet high above the floor of the main house; the pitch of the roof +being the same. Beyond this is a building 32x24 feet, with 10 feet +posts, partitioned off into a swill-room, piggery, workshop, and +wagon-house, and a like roof with the others. A light, rustic porch, +12x8 feet, with lattice work, is placed on the front of the house, and +another at the side door, over which vines, by way of drapery, may run; +thus combining that sheltered, comfortable, and home-like expression so +desirable in a rural dwelling. The chimney is carried out in three +separate flues, sufficiently marked by the partitions above the roof. +The windows are hooded, or sheltered, to protect them from the weather, +and fitted with simple sliding sashes with 7x9 or 8x10 glass. Outer +blinds may be added, if required; but it is usually better to have these +_inside_, as they are no ornament to the outside of the building, are +liable to be driven back and forth by the wind, even if fastenings are +used, and in any event are little better than a continual annoyance. + + + [Illustration: GROUND PLAN.] + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +The front door, over which is a single sash-light across, opens into a +hall or entry 9x7 feet, from which a door opens on either side into a +sitting-room and parlor, each 16x15 feet, lighted by a double, plain +window, at the ends, and a single two-sash window in front. Between the +entrance door and stove, are in each room a small pantry or closet for +dishes, or otherwise, as may be required. The chimney stands in the +center of the house, with a separate flue for each front room, into +which a thimble is inserted to receive the stovepipes by which they are +warmed; and from the inner side of these rooms each has a door passing +to the kitchen, or chief living room. This last apartment is 22x15 feet, +with a broad fireplace containing a crane, hooks, and trammel, if +required, and a spacious family oven--affording those homely and +primitive comforts still so dear to many of us who are not ready to +concede that all the virtues of the present day are combined in a +"perfection" cooking stove, and a "patent" heater; although there is a +chance for these last, if they should be adopted into the peaceful +atmosphere of this kitchen. + + [Illustration: CHAMBER PLAN.] + +On one side of the kitchen, in rear of the stairs, is a bedroom, 9x8 +feet, with a window in one corner. Adjoining that, is a buttery, +dairy-room, or closet, 9x6 feet, also having a window. At the inner end +of the stairway is the cellar passage; at the outer end is the chamber +passage, landing above, in the highest part of the roof story. Opposite +the chamber stairs is a door leading to the wash-room. Between the two +windows, on the rear side of the kitchen, is a sink, with a waste pipe +passing out through the wall. At the further corner a door opens into a +snug bedroom 9x8 feet, lighted by a window in rear; and adjoining this +is a side entry leading from the end door, 9x6 feet in area; thus making +every room in the house accessible at once from the kitchen, and giving +the greatest possible convenience in both living and house-work. + +The roof story is partitioned into convenient-sized bedrooms; the +ceiling running down the pitch of the roof to within two feet of the +floor, unless they are cut short by inner partitions, as they are in the +largest chamber, to give closets. The open area in the center, at the +head of the stairs, is lighted by a small gable window inserted in the +roof, at the rear, and serves as a lumber room; or, if necessary, a bed +may occupy a part of it. + +In rear of the main dwelling is a building 44x16 feet, occupied as a +wash-room and wood-house. The wash-room floor is let down eight inches +below the kitchen, and is 16x14 feet, in area, lighted by a window on +each side, with a chimney, in which is set a boiler, and fireplace, if +desired, and a sink in the corner adjoining. This room is 7-1/2 feet in +height. A door passes from this wash-room into the wood-house, which is +30x16 feet, open in front, with a water-closet in the further corner. + +The cellar is 7-1/2 feet in height--and is the whole size of the house, +laid with good stone wall, in lime mortar, with a flight of steps +leading outside, in rear of the kitchen, and two or more sash-light +windows at the ends. If not in a loose, gravelly, or sandy soil, the +cellar should be kept dry by a drain leading out on to lower ground. + +The building beyond, and adjoining the wood-house, contains a +swill-house 16x12 feet, with a window in one end; a chimney and boiler +in one corner, with storage for swill barrels, grain, meal, potatoes, +&c., for feeding the pigs, which are in the adjoining pen of same size, +with feeding trough, place for sleeping, &c., and having a window in one +end and a door in the rear, leading to a yard. + +Adjoining these, in front, is a workshop and tool-house, 16x10 feet, +with a window at the end, and an entrance door near the wood house. In +this is a joiner's work-bench, a chest of working tools, such as saw, +hammer, augers, &c., &c., necessary for repairing implements, doing +little rough jobs, or other wood work, &c., which every farmer ought to +do for himself; and also storing his hoes, axes, shovels, hammers, and +other small farm implements. In this room he will find abundant +rainy-day employment in repairing his utensils of various kinds, making +his beehives, hencoops, &c., &c. Next to this is the wagon-house, 16x14 +feet, with broad doors at the end, and harness pegs around the walls. + +The posts of this building are 10 feet high; the rooms eight feet high, +and a low chamber overhead for storing lumber, grain, and other +articles, as may be required. Altogether, these several apartments make +a very complete and desirable accommodation to a man with the property +and occupation for which it is intended. + +On one side and adjoining the house, should be the garden, the +clothes-yard, and the bee-house, which last should always stand in full +sight, and facing the most frequented room--say the kitchen--that they +can be seen daily during the swarming season, as those performing +household duties may keep them in view. + + +MISCELLANEOUS. + +In regard to the surroundings, and approach to this dwelling, they +should be treated under the suggestions already given on these subjects. +This is an exceedingly _snug_ tenement, and everything around and about +it should be of the same character. No pretension or frippery whatever. +A neat garden, usefully, rather than ornamentally and profusely +supplied; a moderate court-yard in front; free access to the end door, +from the main every-day approach by vehicles--not on the highway, but on +the farm road or lane--the business entrance, in fact; which should also +lead to the barns and sheds beyond, not far distant. Every feature +should wear a most domestic look, and breathe an air of repose and +content. Trees should be near, but not so near as to cover the house. +A few shrubs of simple kind--some standing roses--a few climbing ones; +a syringa, a lilac, a snow ball, and a little patch or two of flowers +near the front porch, and the whole expression is given; just as one +would wish to look upon as a simple, unpretending habitation. + +It is not here proposed to give working plans, or estimates, to a +nicety; or particular directions for building any design even, that we +present. The material for construction best suited to the circumstances +and locality of the proprietor must govern all those matters; and as +good builders are in most cases at hand, who are competent to give +estimates for the cost of any given plan, when the material for +construction is once settled, the question of expense is readily fixed. +The same sized house, with the same accommodation, may be made to cost +fifty to one hundred per cent. over an economical estimate, by the +increased style, or manner of its finish; or it may be kept within +bounds by a rigid adherence to the plan first adopted. + +In western New York this house and attachments complete, the body of +stone, the wood-house, wagon-house, &c., of wood, may be built and well +finished in a plain way for $1,500. If built altogether of wood, with +grooved and matched vertical boarding, and battens, the whole may be +finished and painted for $800, to $1,200. For the lowest sum, the lumber +and work would be of a rough kind, with a cheap wash to color it; but +the latter amount would give good work, and a lasting coat of mineral +paint both outside and within. + +As a _tenant_ house on a farm of three, four, or even five hundred +acres, where all who live in it are laborers in the field or household, +this design may be most conveniently adopted. The family inhabiting it +in winter may be well accommodated for sleeping under the main roof, +while they can at all seasons take their meals, and be made comfortable +in the several rooms. In the summer season, when a larger number of +laborers are employed, the lofts of the carriage or wagon-house and +work-shop may be occupied with beds, and thus a large share of the +expense of house building for a very considerable farm be saved. Luxury +is a quality more or less consulted by every one who builds for his +_own_ occupation on a farm, or elsewhere; and the tendency in building +is constantly to expand, to give a higher finish, and in fact, to +over-build. Indeed, if we were to draw the balance, on our _old_ farms, +between scantily-accommodated houses, and houses with needless room in +them, the latter would preponderate. Not that these latter houses either +are too good, or too convenient for the purpose for which they were +built, but they have _too much_ room, and that room badly appropriated +and arranged. + +On a farm proper, the whole establishment is a _workshop_. The shop _out +of doors_, we acknowledge, is not always _dry_, nor always warm; but it +is exceedingly well aired and lighted, and a place where industrious +people dearly love to labor. Within doors it is a work-shop too. There +is always labor and occupation for the family, in the _general business_ +of the farm; therefore but little room is wanted for either luxury or +leisure, and the farm house should be fully occupied, with the +exception, perhaps, of a single room on the main floor, (and that not a +large one,) for some regular business purpose. All these accommodated, +and the requirements of the house are ended. Owners of _rented_ farms +should reflect, too, that expensive houses on their estates entail +expensive repairs, and that continually. Many tenants are careless of +highly-finished houses. Not early accustomed to them, they +misappropriate, perhaps, the best rooms in the house, and pay little +attention to the purposes for which the owner designed them, or to the +_manner_ of using them. It is therefore a total waste of money to build +a house on a tenant estate anything beyond the mere comfortable wants of +the family occupying it, and to furnish the room necessary for the +accommodation of the crops, stock, and farm furniture, in the barns and +other out-buildings--all in a cheap, tidy, yet substantial way. + +So, too, with the grounds for domestic purposes around the house. A +kitchen garden, sufficient to grow the family vegetables--a few plain +fruits--a _posey_ bed or two for the girls--and the story is told. Give +a larger space for these things--anything indeed, for elegance--and ten +to one, the plow is introduced, a corn or potato patch is _set out_, +field culture is adopted, and your choice grounds are torn up, defaced, +and sacrificed to the commonest uses. + +Notwithstanding these drawbacks, a cheerful, home-expression may be +given, and should be given to the homestead, in the character and +construction of the buildings, be they ever so rough and homely. We can +call to mind many instances of primitive houses-_log_ cabins even--built +when none better could be had, that presented a most comfortable and +life-enjoying picture--residences once, indeed, of those who swayed "the +applause of listening senates," but under the hands of taste, and a +trifle of labor, made to look comfortable, happy, and sufficient. We +confess, therefore, to a profound veneration, if not affection, for the +humble farm house, as truly American in character; and which, with a +moderate display of skill, may be made equal to the main purposes of +life and enjoyment for all such as do not aspire to a high display, and +who are content to make the most of moderate means. + + + + +DESIGN II. + + +This is the plan of a house and out-buildings based chiefly on one which +we built of wood some years since on a farm of our own, and which, in +its occupation, has proved to be one of exceeding convenience to the +purposes intended. As a farm _business_ house, we have not known it +excelled; nor in the ease and facility of doing up the house-work within +it, do we know a better. It has a subdued, quiet, unpretending look; yet +will accommodate a family of a dozen workmen, besides the females +engaged in the household work, with perfect convenience; or if occupied +by a farmer with but his own family around him, ample room is afforded +them for a most comfortable mode of life, and sufficient for the +requirements of a farm of two, to three or four hundred acres. + + [Illustration: FARM HOUSE. Pages 85-86] + +This house is, in the main body, 36x22 feet, one and a half stories +high, with a projection on the rear 34x16 feet, for the kitchen and its +offices; and a still further addition to that, of 26x18 feet, for +wash-room. The main body of the house is 14 feet high to the plates; the +lower rooms are 9 feet high; the roof has a pitch of 35deg from a +horizontal line, giving partially-upright chambers in the main building, +and _roof_ lodging rooms in the rear. The rear, or kitchen part, is one +story high, with 10 feet posts, and such pitch of roof (which last runs +at right angles to the main body, and laps on to the main roof,) as will +carry the peak up to the same air line. This addition should retreat 6 +inches from the line of the main building, on the side given in the +design, and 18 inches on the rear. The rooms on this kitchen floor are 8 +feet high, leaving one foot above the upper floor, under the roof, as a +chamber garret, or lumber-room, as may be required. Beyond this, in the +rear, is the other extension spoken of, with posts 9 feet high, for a +buttery, closet, or dairy, or all three combined, and a wash-room; the +floor of which is on a level with the last, and the roof running in the +same direction, and of the same pitch. In front of this wash-room, where +not covered by the wood-house, is an open porch, 8 feet wide and 10 feet +long, the roof of which runs out at a less angle than the others--say +30deg from a horizontal line. Attached to this is the wood-house, +running off by way of L, at right angles, 36x16 feet, of same height +as the wash-room. + +Adjoining the wood-house, on the same front line, is a building 50x20 +feet, with 12 feet posts, occupied as a workshop, wagon-house, stable, +and store-room, with a lean-to on the last of 15x10 feet, for a piggery. +The several rooms in this building are 8 feet high, affording a good +lumber room over the workshop, and hay storage over the wagon-house and +stable. Over the wagon-house is a gable, with a blind window swinging on +hinges, for receiving hay, thus relieving the long, uniform line of +roof, and affording ample accommodation on each side to a pigeon-house +or dovecote, if required. + +The style of this establishment is of plain Italian, or bracketed, and +may be equally applied to stone, brick, or wood. The roofs are broad, +and protect the walls by their full projection over them, 2-1/2 feet. +The small gable in the front roof of the main dwelling relieves it of +its otherwise straight uniformity, and affords a high door-window +opening on to the deck of the veranda, which latter should be 8 or 10 +feet in width. The shallow windows, also, over the wings of the veranda +give it a more cheerful expression. The lower _end_ windows of this part +of the house are hooded, or sheltered by a cheap roof, which gives them +a snug and most comfortable appearance. The veranda may appear more +ornamental than the plain character of the house requires; but any +superfluous work upon it may be omitted, and the style of finish +conformed to the other. The veranda roof is flatter than that of the +house, but it may be made perfectly tight by closer shingling, and +paint; while the deck or platform in the centre may be roofed with zinc, +or tin, and a coat of sanded paint laid upon it. The front chimney is +plain, yet in keeping with the general style of the house, and may be +made of ordinary bricks. The two parts of the chimney, as they appear in +the front rooms, are drawn together as they pass through the chamber +above, and become one at the roof. The kitchen chimneys pass up through +the peaks of their respective roofs, and should be in like character +with the other. + + [Illustration: CHAMBER PLAN. GROUND PLAN.] + + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +The front door of this house opens into a small entry or hall, 9x6 feet, +which is lighted by a low sash of glass over the front door. A door +leads into a room on each side; and at the inner end of the hall is a +recess between the two chimneys of the opposite rooms, in which may be +placed a table or broad shelf to receive hats and coats. On the left is +a parlor 22x15 feet, lighted on one side by a double window, and in +front by a single plain one. The fireplace is centrally placed on one +side of the room, in the middle of the house. On one side of the +fireplace is a closet, three feet deep, with shelves, and another closet +at the inner end of the room, near the kitchen door; or this closet may +be dispensed with for the use of this parlor, and given up to enlarge +the closet which is attached to the bedroom. Another door opens directly +into the kitchen. This parlor is 9 feet high between joints. The +sitting-room is opposite to the parlor, 19x15 feet, and lighted and +closeted in nearly the same manner, as will be seen by referring to the +floor plan. + +The kitchen is the grand room of this house. It is 24x16 feet in area, +having an ample fireplace, with its hooks and trammels, and a spacious +oven by its side. It is lighted by a double window at one end, and a +single window near the fireplace. At one end of this kitchen is a most +comfortable and commodious family bedroom, 13x10 feet, with a large +closet in one corner, and lighted by a window in the side. Two windows +may be inserted if wanted. A passage leads by the side of the oven to a +sink-room, or recess, behind the chimney, with shelves to dry dishes on, +and lighted by the half of a double window, which accommodates with its +other half the dairy, or closet adjoining. A door also opens from this +recess into the closet and dairy, furnished with broad shelves, that +part of which, next the kitchen, is used for dishes, cold meat and bread +cupboards, &c.; while the part of it adjoining the window beyond, is +used for milk. This room is 14x6 feet, besides the L running up next to +the kitchen, of 6x4 feet. From the kitchen also opens a closet into the +front part of the house for any purpose needed. This adjoins the parlor, +and sitting-room, closets. In the passage to the sitting-room also opens +the stairway leading to the chambers, and beneath, at the other end of +it, next the outside wall, is a flight leading down cellar. The cellar +is excavated under the whole house, being 36x22, and 34x16 feet, with +glass windows, one light deep by four wide, of 8x10 glass; and an outer +door, and flight of steps outside, under either the sitting-room or +kitchen windows, as may be most convenient. A door opens, also, from the +kitchen, into a passage 4 feet wide and 12 feet long leading to the +wash-room, 18x16 feet, and by an outside door, through this passage to +the porch. In this passage may be a small window to give it light. + +In the wash-room are two windows. A chimney at the far end accommodates +a boiler or two, and a fireplace, if required. A sink stands adjoining +the chimney. A flight of stairs, leading to a garret over head on one +side, and to the kitchen chamber on the other, stands next the dairy, +into which last a door also leads. In this wash-room may be located the +cooking stove in warm weather, leaving the main kitchen for a family and +eating room. A door also leads from the wash-room into the wood-house. + +The wood-house stands lower than the floor of the wash-room, from which +it falls, by steps. This is large, because a plentiful store of wood is +needed for a dwelling of this character. If the room be not all wanted +for such purpose, a part of it may devoted to other necessary uses, +there seldom being too much shelter of this kind on a farm; through the +rear wall of this wood-house leads a door into the garden, or +clothes-yard, as the case may be; and at its extreme angle is a water +closet, 6x4 feet, by way of lean-to, with a hipped roof, 8 feet high, +running off from both the wood-house and workshop. This water-closet is +lighted by a sliding sash window. + +On to the wood-house, in a continuous front line, joins the workshop, an +indispensable appendage to farm convenience. This has a flight of stairs +leading to the lumber-room above. For the furnishing of this apartment, +see description of Design I. Next to the work-house is the wagon and +tool-house, above which is the hay loft, also spread over the stable +adjoining; in which last are stalls for a pair of horses, which may be +required for uses other than the main labors of the farm--to run to +market, carry the family to church, or elsewhere. A pair of horses for +such purposes should always be kept near the house. The horse-stalls +occupy a space of 10x12 feet, with racks and feeding boxes. The plans of +these will be described hereafter. The door leading out from these +stalls is 5 feet wide, and faces the partition, so that each horse may +be led out or in at an easy angle from them. Beyond the stalls is a +passage 4 feet wide, leading to a store-room or area, from which a +flight of rough stairs leads to the hay loft above. Beyond this room, +in which is the oat bin for the horses, is a small piggery, for the +convenience of a pig or two, which are always required to consume the +daily wash and offal of the house; and not for the general _pork_ stock +of the farm; which, on one of this size, may be expected to require more +commodious quarters. + +The chamber plan of this house is commodious, furnishing one large room +and three smaller ones. The small chamber leading to the deck over the +porch, may, or may not be occupied as a sleeping room. The small one +near the stairs may contain a single bed, or be occupied as a large +clothes-closet. Through this, a door leads into the kitchen chamber, +which may serve as one, or more laborers' bed-chambers. They may be +lighted by one or more windows in the rear gable. + +If more convenient to the family, the parlor and sitting-room, already +described, may change their occupation, and one substituted for the +other. + +The main business approach to this house should be by a lane, or farm +road opening on the side next the stable and wagon-house. The yard, in +front of these last named buildings, should be separated from the lawn, +or front door-yard of the dwelling. The establishment should stand some +distance back from the traveled highway, and be decorated with such +trees, shrubbery, and cultivation, as the taste of the owner may direct. +No _general_ rules or directions can be applicable to this design beyond +what have already been given; and the subject must be treated as +circumstances may suggest. The unfrequented side of the house should, +however, be flanked with a garden, either ornamental, or fruit and +vegetable; as buildings of this character ought to command a +corresponding share of attention with the grounds by which they are +surrounded. + +This house will appear equally well built of wood, brick, or stone. Its +cost, according to materials, or finish, may be $1,000 or $1,500. The +out-buildings attached, will add $400 to $600, with the same conditions +as to finish; but the whole may be substantially and well built of +either stone, brick, or wood, where each may be had at equal +convenience, for $2,000 in the interior of New York. Of course, it is +intended to do all the work plain, and in character for the occupation +to which it is intended. + + +MISCELLANEOUS DETAILS. + +At this point of our remarks a word or two may be offered on the general +subject of inside finish to farm houses, which may be applicable more or +less to any one, or all of the designs that may come under our +observation; therefore what is here said, may be applied at large. +Different sections of the United States have their own several _local_ +notions, or preferences as to the mode of finish to their houses and +out-buildings, according to climate, education, or other circumstances. +In all these matters neither taste, fashion, nor climate should be +arbitrary. The manner of finish may be various, without any departure +from truth or propriety--always keeping in mind the object for which it +is intended. The _material_ for a country house should be _strong_, and +_durable_, and the work simple in its details, beyond that for either +town or suburban houses. It should be _strong_, for the reason that the +interior of the farm house is used for purposes of industry, in +finishing up and perfecting the labors of the farm; labors indispensable +too, and in amount beyond the ordinary housekeeping requirements of a +family who have little to do but merely to live, and make themselves +comfortable. The material should be _durable_, because the distance at +which the farm house is usually located from the residences of building +mechanics, renders it particularly troublesome and expensive to make +repairs, and alterations. The work should be _simple_, because cheaper +in the first place, in construction, and finish; quite as appropriate +and satisfactory in appearance; and demanding infinitely less labor and +pains to care for, and protect it afterward. Therefore all mouldings, +architraves, _chisel_-work, and gewgawgery in interior finish should be +let alone in the living and daily occupied rooms of the house. If, to a +single parlor, or _spare_ bedchamber a little _ornamental_ work be +permitted, let even that be in moderation, and just enough to teach the +active mistress and her daughters what a world of scrubbing and elbow +work they have saved themselves in the enjoyment of a plainly-finished +house, instead of one full of gingerbread work and finery. None but the +initiated can tell the affliction that _chiseled_ finishing entails on +housekeepers in the spider, fly, and other insect lodgment which it +invites--frequently the cause of more annoyance and _daily_ disquietude +in housekeeping, because unnecessary, than real griefs from which we may +not expect to escape. Bases, casings, sashes, doors--all should be +plain, and painted or stained a quiet _russet_ color--a color natural to +the woods used for the finish, if it can be, showing, in their wear, as +little of dust, soiling, and fly dirt as possible. There is no poetry +about common housekeeping. Cooking, house-cleaning, washing, scrubbing, +sweeping, are altogether matter-of-fact duties, and usually considered +_work_, not recreation; and these should all be made easy of +performance, and as seldom to be done as possible; although the first +item always was, and always _will_ be, and the last item _should_ be, an +every-day vocation for _somebody_; and the manner of inside finish to a +house has a great deal to do with all these labors. + +In a stone, or brick house, the inside walls should be firred off for +plastering. This may be done either by "plugging," that is, driving a +plug of wood strongly into the mortar courses, into which the firring +should be nailed, or by laying a strip of thin board in the mortar +course, the entire length of each wall. This is better than _blocks_ +laid in for such purpose, because it is effectually _bound_ by the +stone, or brick work; whereas, a block may get loose by shrinking, but +the nails which hold the firring to the plug, or to the thin strip of +board will split and _wedge_ it closer to the mason work of the outside +wall. This is an important item. It makes close work too, and leaves no +room for rats, mice, or other vermin; and as it admits a _space_--no +matter how thin--so that no outside damp from the walls can communicate +into, or through the inner plastering, it answers all purposes. The +inside, and partition walls should be of coarse, strong mortar, _floated +off_ as smoothly as may be, not a _hard finish_, which is fine, and +costly; and then papered throughout for the better rooms, and the +commonly-used rooms whitewashed. Paper gives a most comfortable look to +the rooms, more so than paint, and much less expensive, while nothing is +so sweet, tidy, and cheerful to the _working_ rooms of the house as a +_lime_ wash, either white, or softened down with some agreeable tint, +such as _light_ blue, green, drab, fawn, or russet, to give the shade +desired, and for which every _professional_ painter and whitewasher in +the vicinity, can furnish a proper recipe applicable to the place and +climate. On such subjects we choose to prescribe, rather than to play +the apothecary by giving any of the thousand and one recipes extant, for +the composition. + +Our remarks upon the strength and durability of _material_ in +house-building do not apply exclusively to brick and stone. Wood is +included also; and of this, there is much difference in the kind. Sound +_white_ oak, is, perhaps the best material for the heavy frame-work of +any house or out-building, and when to be had at a moderate expense, we +would recommend it in preference to any other. If _white_ oak cannot be +had, the other varieties of oak, or chesnut are the next best. In +_light_ frame-timbers, such as studs, girts, joists, or rafters, oak is +inclined to spring and warp, and we would prefer hemlock, or chesnut, +which holds a nail equally as well, or, in its absence, pine, (which +holds a nail badly,) whitewood, or black walnut. The outside finish to a +wooden house, may be _lighter_ than in one of stone or brick. The wood +work on the outside of the latter should always be heavy, and in +character with the walls, giving an air of firmness and stability to the +whole structure. No elaborate carving, or beadwork should be permitted +on the outside work of a country house at all; and only a sufficient +quantity of ornamental _tracery_ of any kind, to break the monotony of a +plainness that would otherwise give it a formal, or uncouth expression, +and relieve it of what some would consider a pasteboard look. A farm +house, in fact, of any degree, either cheap or expensive, should wear +the same appearance as a well-dressed person of either sex; so that a +stranger, not looking at them for the purpose of inspecting their garb, +should, after an interview, be unable to tell what particular sort of +dress they wore, so perfectly in keeping was it with propriety. + +In the design now under discussion, a cellar is made under the whole +body of the house; and this cellar is a _shallow_ one, so far as being +sunk into the ground is concerned, say 5-1/2 feet, leaving 2-1/2 feet of +cellar wall above ground--8 feet in all. A part of the wall above ground +should be covered by the excavated earth, and sloped off to a level with +the surrounding surface. A commodious, well-lighted, and well-ventilated +cellar is one of the most important apartments of the farm house. It +should, if the soil be compact, be well drained from some point or +corner within the walls into a lower level outside, to which point +within, the whole floor surface should incline, and the bottom be +floored with water-lime cement. This will make it hard, durable, and +dry. It may then be washed and scrubbed off as easily as an upper floor. +If the building site be high, and in a gravelly, or sandy soil, neither +drain nor flooring will be required. The cellar may be used for the +storage of root crops, apples, meats, and household vegetables. A +partitioned room will accommodate either a summer or a winter dairy, if +not otherwise provided, and a multitude of conveniences may be made of +it in all well arranged farmeries. But in all cases the cellar should be +well lighted, ventilated, and dry. Even the ash-house and smoke-house +may be made in it with perfect convenience, by brick or stone +partitions, and the smoke-house flue be carried up into one of the +chimney flues above, and thus make a more snug and compact arrangement +than to have separate buildings for those objects. A wash-room, in +which, also, the soap may be made, the tallow and lard tried up, and +other extraordinary labor when fire heat is to be used, may properly be +made in a cellar, particularly when on a sloping ground, and easy of +access to the ground level on one side. But, as a general rule, such +room is better on a level with the main floor of the dwelling, and there +are usually sufficient occupations for the cellar without them. + +All cellar walls should be at least 18 inches thick, for even a wooden +house, and from that to 2 feet for a stone or brick one, and well laid +in strong lime-mortar. Unmortared cellar walls are frequently laid under +wooden buildings, and _pointed_ with lime-mortar inside; but this is +sometimes dug out by rats, and is apt to crumble and fall out otherwise. +A _complete_ cellar wall should be thoroughly laid in mortar. + + + + + [Illustration: FARM HOUSE. Pages 101-102.] + +DESIGN III. + + +We here present the reader with a substantial, plain, yet +highly-respectable stone or brick farm house, of the second class, +suitable for an estate of three, to five hundred acres, and +accommodation for a family of a dozen or more persons. The style is +mixed rural Gothic, Italian, and bracketed; yet in keeping with the +character of the farm, and the farmer's standing and occupation. + +The main body of this house is 42x24 feet on the ground, and one and +three quarter stories high--the chambers running two or three feet into +the roof, as choice or convenience may direct. The roof has a pitch of +30 to 40deg from a horizontal line, and broadly spread over the walls, +say two and a half feet, showing the ends of the rafters, bracket +fashion. The chimneys pass out through the peak of the roof, where the +hips of what would otherwise be the gables, connect with the long sides +of the roof covering the front and rear. On the long front is partly +seen, in the perspective, a portico, 16x10 feet--not the _chief_ +entrance front, but rather a side front, practically, which leads into a +lawn or garden, as may be most desirable, and from which the best view +from the house is commanded. Over this porch is a small gable running +into the roof, to break its monotony, in which is a door-window leading +from the upper hall on to the deck of the porch. This gable has the same +finish as the main roof, by brackets. The chamber windows are two-thirds +or three-quarters the size of the lower ones; thus showing the upper +story not full height below the plates, but running two to four feet +into the garret. The rear wing, containing the entrance or business +front, is 24x32 feet, one and a half stories high, with a pitch of roof +not less than 35deg, and spread over the walls both at the eaves and +gable, in the same proportion as the roof to the main body. In front of +this is a porch or veranda eight feet wide, with a low, hipped roof. In +the front and rear roofs of this wing is a dormer window, to light the +chambers. The gable to this wing is bold, and gives it character by the +breadth of its roof over the walls, and the strong brackets by which it +is supported. The chimney is thrown up strong and boldly at the point of +the roof, indicating the every-day uses of the fireplaces below, which, +although distinct and wide apart in their location on the ground floors, +are drawn together in the chambers, thus showing only one escape through +the roof. + +The wood-house in the rear of the wing has a roof of the same character, +and connects with the long building in the rear, which has the same +description of roof, but hipped at one end. That end over the workshop, +and next the wood-house, shows a bold gable like the wing of the house, +and affords room and light to the lumber room over the shop, and also +gives variety and relief to the otherwise too great sameness of +roof-appearance on the further side of the establishment. + + [Illustration: GROUND PLAN. CHAMBER PLAN.] + + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +As has been remarked, the main entrance front to this house is from the +wing veranda, from which a well finished and sizeable door leads into +the principal hall, 24x8 feet in area, and lighted by a full-sized +window at the front end. Opposite the entrance door is the door leading +into the parlor; and farther along is the staircase, under the upper +landing of which a door leads into a dining or sitting-room, as may be +determined. This hall is 10 feet high, as are all the rooms of this +lower main story. In the chimney, which adjoins the parlor side of this +hall, may be inserted a thimble for a hall stovepipe, if this method of +warming should be adopted. The parlor, into which a door leads from the +hall, is 18x16 feet, with two windows on the side, shown in perspective, +and one on the front facing the lawn, or garden. It has also a fireplace +near the hall door. At the further angle is a door leading to an entry +or passage on to the portico. E is the entry just mentioned, six feet +square, and lighted by a short sash, one light deep, over the outside +door. This portico may be made a pleasant summer afternoon and evening +resort for the family, by which the occupied rooms connect with the lawn +or garden, thus adding to its retired and private character. + +Opposite the parlor, on the other side of this entry, a door leads into +a room 18x12 feet, which may be occupied as a family bedroom, library, +or small sitting-room. This is lighted by two windows, and has a closet +of 6x5 feet. A fireplace is on the inner side of this room; and near to +that, a door connects with a dining-room of the same size, having a +window in one end, and a fireplace, and closet of the same size as the +last. Through the rear wall is a door leading into a pantry, which also +communicates with the kitchen; and another door leads to the hall, and +from the hall, under the staircases, (which, at that point, are +sufficiently high for the purpose,) is a passage leading to the kitchen. + +Under the wing veranda, near the point of intersection of the wing with +the main body of the house, is an _every-day_ outer door, leading into a +small entry, 6x5 feet, and lighted by a low, one-sash window over the +door. By another door, this leads to the kitchen, or family room, which +is lighted by three windows. An ample fireplace, with oven, &c., +accommodates this room at the end. A closet, 7x5 feet, also stands next +to the entry; and beyond that, an open passage, to the left, leading out +under the front hall stairs to the rooms of the main building. A door +also leads from that passage into a _best_ pantry, for choice crockery, +sweetmeats, and tea-table comforts. Another door, near the last, leads +into a dairy or milk-room, 9x8 feet, beyond the passage; in which last, +also, may be placed a tier of narrow shelves. This milk, or dairy-room, +is lighted by a window in the end, and connects also, by a door in the +side, with the _outer_ kitchen, or wash-room. Next to this milk-room +door, in the front kitchen, is another door leading down cellar; and +through this door, passing by the upper, broad stair of the flight of +cellar steps, is another door into the wash-room. At the farther angle +of the kitchen is still another door, opening into a passage four feet +wide; and, in that passage, a door leading up a flight of stairs into +the wing chambers. This passage opens into the back kitchen, or +wash-room, 16x16 feet in area, and lighted by two windows, one of which +looks into the wood-house. In this wash-room is a chimney with boilers +and fireplace, as may be required. The cellar and chamber stairs, and +the milk-room are also accessible direct, by doors leading from this +wash-room. + +The chamber plan will be readily understood, and requires no particular +description. The space over the wing may be partitioned off according to +the plan, or left more open for the accommodation of the "work folks," +as occasion may demand. But, as this dwelling is intended for +substantial people, "well to do in the world," and who extend a generous +hospitality to their friends, a liberal provision of sleeping chambers +is given to the main body of the house. The parlor chamber, which is the +best, or _spare_ one, is 18x16 feet, with roomy side-closets. Besides +this, are other rooms for the daughters Sally, and Nancy, and Fanny, and +possibly Mary and Elizabeth--who want their own chambers, which they +keep so clean and tidy, with closets full of nice bedclothes, table +linen, towels, &c., &c., for certain events not yet whispered of, but +quite sure to come round. And then there are Frederick, and Robert, and +George, fine stalwart boys coming into manhood, intending to be +"somebody in the world," one day or another; they must have _their_ +rooms--and good ones too; for, if any people are to be well lodged, why +not those who toil for it? All such accommodation every farm house of +this character should afford. And we need not go far, or look sharp, to +see the best men and the best women in our state and nation graduating +from the wholesome farm house thus tidily and amply provided. How +delightfully look the far-off mountains, or the nearer plains, or +prairies, from the lawn porch of this snug farm house! The distant lake; +the shining river, singing away through the valley; or the wimpling +brook, stealing through the meadow! Aye, enjoy them all, for they are +God's best, richest gifts, and we are made to love them. + +The wood-house strikes off from the back kitchen, retreating two feet +from its gable wall, and is 36x14 feet in size. A bathing room may be +partitioned off 8x6 feet, on the rear corner next the wash-room, if +required, although not laid down in the plan. At the further end is the +water-closet, 6x4 feet. Or, if the size and convenience of the family +require it, a part of the wood-house may be partitioned off for a +wash-room, from which a chimney may pass up through the peak of the +roof. If so, carry it up so high that it will be above the eddy that the +wind may make in passing over the adjoining wing, not causing it to +smoke from that cause. + +At the far end of the wood-house is the workshop and tool-house, 18x16 +feet, lighted by two windows, and a door to enter it from beneath the +wood-house. Over this, is the lumber and store-room. + +Next to this is the swill-room and pigsty for the house pigs, as +described in the last design; and over it a loft for farm seeds, small +grains, and any other storage required. + +Adjoining this is the wagon and carriage-house; and above, the hayloft, +stretching, also, partly over the stable which stands next, with two +stalls, 12x5 feet each, with a flight of stairs leading to the loft, in +the passage next the door. In this loft are swinging windows, to let in +hay for the horses. + +This completes the household establishment, and we leave the +surroundings to the correct judgment and good taste of the proprietor to +complete, as its position, and the variety of objects with which it may +be connected, requires. + +Stone and brick we have mentioned as the proper materials for this +house; but it may be also built of wood, if more within the means and +limits of the builder. There should be no pinching in its proportions, +but every part carried out in its full breadth and effect. + +The cost of the whole establishment may be from $2,000, to $3,000; +depending somewhat upon the material used, and the finish put upon it. +The first-named sum would build the whole in an economical and plain +manner, while the latter would complete it amply in its details. + + +MISCELLANEOUS. + +It may be an objection in the minds of some persons to the various plans +here submitted, that we have connected the out-buildings _immediately_ +with the offices of the dwelling itself. We are well aware that such is +not always usual; but many years observation have convinced us, that in +their use and occupation, such connection is altogether the most +convenient and economical. The only drawback is in the case of fire; +which, if it occur in any one building, the whole establishment is +liable to be consumed. This objection is conceded; but we take it, that +it is the business of every one not able to be his own insurer, to have +his buildings insured by others; and the additional cost of this +insurance is not a tithe of what the extra expense of time, labor, and +exposure is caused to the family by having the out-buildings +disconnected, and at a _fire-proof_ distance from each other. There has, +too, in the separation of these out-buildings, (we do not now speak of +barns, and houses for the stock, and the farmwork proper,) from the main +dwelling, crept into the construction of such dwellings, by modern +builders, _some_ things, which in a country establishment, particularly, +ought never to be there, such as privies, or _water-closets_, as they +are more _genteelly_ called. These last, in our estimation, have no +business _in_ a _farmer's_ house. They are an _effeminacy_, only, and +introduced by _city_ life. An _appendage_ they should be, but separated +to some distance from the living rooms, and accessible by sheltered +passages to them. The wood-house should adjoin the outer kitchen, +because the fuel should always be handy, and the outer kitchen, or +wash-room is a sort of _slop_-room, of necessity; and the night wood, +and that for the morning fires may be deposited in it for immediate use. +The workshop, and small tool-house naturally comes next to that, as +being chiefly used in stormy weather. Next to this last, would, more +conveniently, come the carriage or wagon-house, and of course a stable +for a horse or two for family use, always accessible at night, and +convenient at unseasonable hours for farm labor. In the same close +neighborhood, also, should be a small pigsty, to accommodate a pig or +two, to eat up the kitchen slops from the table, refuse vegetables, +parings, dishwater, &c., &c., which could not well be carried to the +main piggery of the farm, unless the old-fashioned filthy mode of +letting the hogs run in the road, and a trough set outside the door-yard +fence, as seen in some parts of the country, were adopted. A pig can +always be kept, and fatted in three or four months, from the wash of the +house, with a little grain, in any well-regulated farmer's family. A few +fowls may also be kept in a convenient hen-house, if desired, without +offence--all constituting a part of the _household_ economy of the +place. + +These out-buildings too, give a comfortable, domestic look to the whole +concern. Each one shelters and protects the other, and gives an air of +comfort and repose to the whole--a family expression all round. What so +naked and chilling to the feelings, as to see a country dwelling-house +all perked up, by itself, standing, literally, out of doors, without any +dependencies about it? No, no. First should stand the house, the chief +structure, in the foreground; appendant to that, the kitchen wing; next +in grade, the wood-house; covering in, also, the minor offices of the +house. Then by way of setting up, partially on their own account, should +come the workshop, carriage-house, and stable, as practically having a +separate character, but still subordinate to the house and its +requirements; and these too, may have their piggery and hen-house, by +way of tapering off to the adjoining fence, which encloses a kitchen +garden, or family orchard. Thus, each structure is appropriate in its +way--and together, they form a combination grateful to the sight, as a +complete rural picture. All objections, on account of filth or vermin, +to this connection, may be removed by a cleanly keeping of the +premises--a removal of all offal immediately as it is made, and daily or +weekly taking it on to the manure heaps of the barns, or depositing it +at once on the grounds where it is required. In point of health, nothing +is more congenial to sound physical condition than the occasional smell +of a stable, or the breath of a cow, not within the immediate contiguity +to the occupied rooms of the dwelling. On the score of neatness, +therefore, as we have placed them, no bar can be raised to their +adoption. + + + + +DESIGN IV. + + +This is perhaps a more ambitious house than either of the preceding, +although it may be adapted to a domain of the same extent and value. It +is plain and unpretending in appearance; yet, in its ample finish, and +deeply drawn, sheltering eaves, broad veranda, and spacious +out-buildings, may give accommodation to a larger family indulging a +more liberal style of living than the last. + +By an error in the engraving, the main roof of the house is made to +appear like a double, or gambrel-roof, breaking at the intersection of +the gable, or hanging roof over the ends. This is not so intended. The +roofs on each side are a straight line of rafters. The Swiss, or hanging +style of gable-roof is designed to give a more sheltered effect to the +elevation than to run the end walls to a peak in the point of the roof. + +By a defect in the drawing, the roof of the veranda is not sufficiently +thrown over the columns. This roof should project at least one foot +beyond them, so as to perfectly shelter the mouldings beneath from the +weather, and conform to the style of the main roof of the house. + + [Illustration: FARM HOUSE. Pages 115-116.] + +The material of which it is built may be of either stone, brick, or +wood, as the taste or convenience of the proprietor may suggest. The +main building is 44x36 feet, on the ground. The cellar wall may show 18 +to 24 inches above the ground, and be pierced by windows in each end, as +shown in the plan. The height of the main walls may be two full stories +below the roof plates, or the chambers may run a foot or two into the +garret, at the choice of the builder, either of which arrangements may +be permitted. + +The front door opens from a veranda 28 feet long by 10 feet in depth, +dropping eight inches from the door-sill. This veranda has a hipped +roof, which juts over the columns in due proportion with the roof of the +house over its walls. These columns are plain, with brackets, or braces +from near their tops, sustaining the plate and finish of the roof above, +which may be covered either with tin or zinc, painted, or closely +shingled. + +The walls of the house may be 18 to 20 feet high below the plates; the +roof a pitch of 30 to 45deg, which will afford an upper garret, or +store, or small sleeping rooms, if required; and the eaves should +project two to three feet, as climate may demand, over the walls. A +plain finish--that is, ceiled underneath--is shown in the design, but +brackets on the ends of the rafters, beaded and finished, may be shown, +if preferred. The gables are _Swiss-roofed_, or _truncated_, thus giving +them a most sheltered and comfortable appearance, particularly in a +northerly climate. The small gable in front relieves the roof of its +monotony, and affords light to the central garret. The chimneys are +carried out with partition flues, and may be topped with square caps, as +necessity or taste may demand. + +Retreating three feet from the kitchen side of the house runs, at right +angles, a wing 30x18 feet, one and a half stories high, with a veranda +eight feet wide in front. Next in rear of this, continues a wood-house, +30x18 feet, one story high, with ten feet posts, and open in front, the +ground level of which is 18 inches below the floor of the wing to which +it is attached. The roof of these two is of like character with that of +the main building. + +Adjoining this wood-house, and at right angles with it, is a building +68x18 feet, projecting two feet outside the line of wood-house and +kitchen. This building is one and a half stories high, with 12 feet +posts, and roof in the same style and of equal pitch as the others. + + + [Illustration: GROUND PLAN.] + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +The front door from the veranda of the house opens into a hall, 18x8 +feet, and 11 feet high, amply lighted by sash windows on the sides, and +over the door. From the rear of this hall runs a flight of easy stairs, +into the upper or chamber hall. On one side of the lower hall, a door +leads into a parlor, 18 feet square, and 11 feet high, lighted by three +windows, and warmed by an open stove, or fireplace, the pipe passing +into a chimney flue in the rear. A door passes from this parlor into a +rear passage, or entry, thus giving it access to the kitchen and rear +apartments. At the back end of the front hall, a door leads into the +rear passage and kitchen; and on the side opposite the parlor, a door +opens into the sitting or family room, 18x16 feet in area, having an +open fireplace, and three windows. On the hall side of this room, a door +passes into the kitchen, 22x16 feet, and which may, in case the +requirements of the family demand it, be made the chief family or living +room, and the last one described converted into a library. In this +kitchen, which is lighted by two windows, is a liberal open fireplace, +with an ample oven by its side, and a sink in the outer corner. A flight +of stairs, also, leads to the rear chambers above; and a corresponding +flight, under them, to the cellar below. A door at each end of these +stairs, leads into the back entry of the house, and thus to the other +interior rooms, or through the rear outer door to the back porch. This +back entry is lighted by a single sash window over the outside door +leading to the porch. Another door, opposite that leading down cellar, +opens into the passage through the wing. From the rear hall, which is +16x5 feet, the innermost passage leads into a family bedroom, or +nursery, 16x14 feet, lighted by a window in each outside wall, and +warmed by an open fireplace, or stove, at pleasure. Attached to this +bedroom is a clothes-closet, 8x4 feet, with shelves, and drawers. Next +the outer door, in rear end of the hall, is a small closet opening from +it, 6x4 feet in dimensions, convertible to any use which the mistress of +the house may direct. + + [Illustration: CHAMBER PLAN.] + +Opening into the wing from the kitchen, first, is a large closet and +pantry, supplied with a table, drawers, and shelves, in which are stored +the dishes, table furniture, and edibles necessary to be kept at a +moment's access. This room is 14x8 feet, and well lighted by a window of +convenient size. If necessary, this room may have a partition, shutting +off a part from the everyday uses which the family requires. In this +room, so near to the kitchen, to the sink, to hot-water, and the other +little domestic accessories which good housewives know so well how to +arrange and appreciate, all the nice little table-comforts can be got +up, and perfected, and stored away, under lock and key, in drawer, tub, +or jar, at their discretion, and still their eyes not be away from their +subordinates in the other departments. Next to this, and connected by a +door, is the dairy, or milk-room, also 14x8 feet; which, if necessary, +may be sunk three or four feet into the ground, for additional coolness +in the summer season, and the floor reached by steps. In this are ample +shelves for the milkpans, conveniences of churning, &c., &c. But, if the +dairy be a prominent object of the farm, a separate establishment will +be required, and the excavation may not be necessary for ordinary +household uses. Out of this milk-room, a door leads into a wash-room, +18x14 feet. A passage from the kitchen also leads into this. The +wash-room is lighted by two windows in rear, and one in front. A sink is +between the two rear windows, with conductor leading outside, and a +closet beneath it, for the iron ware. In the chimney, at the end, are +boilers, and a fireplace, an oven, or anything else required, and a door +leading to a platform in the wood-house, and so into the yard. On the +other side of the chimney, a door leads into a bathing-room, 7x6 feet, +into which hot water is drawn from one of the boilers adjoining, and +cold water may be introduced, by a hand-pump, through a pipe leading +into the well or cistern. + +As no more convenient opportunity may present itself, a word or two will +be suggested as to the location of the bath-room in a country house. In +city houses, or country houses designed for the summer occupancy of city +dwellers, the bathing-rooms are usually placed in the second or chamber +story, and the water for their supply is drawn from cisterns still above +_them_. This arrangement, in city houses, is made chiefly from the want +of room on the ground floor; and, also, thus arranged in the +city-country houses, _because_ they are so constructed in the city. In +the farm house, or in the country house proper, occupied by whom it may +be, such arrangement is unnecessary, expensive, and inconvenient. +Unnecessary, because there is no want of room on the ground; expensive, +because an upper cistern is always liable to leakages, and a consequent +wastage of water, wetting, and rotting out the floors, and all the +slopping and dripping which such accidents occasion; and inconvenient, +from the continual up-and-down-stair labor of those who occupy the bath, +to say nothing of the piercing the walls of the house, for the admission +of pipes to lead in and let out the water, and the thousand-and-one +vexations, by way of plumbers' bills, and expense of getting to and from +the house itself, always a distance of some miles from the mechanic. + +The only defence for such location of the bath-room and cisterns is, the +convenience and privacy of access to them, by the females of the family. +This counts but little, if anything, over the place appropriated in +this, and the succeeding designs of this work. The access is almost, if +not quite as private as the other, and, in case of ill-health, as easily +approachable to invalids. And on the score of economy in construction, +repair, or accident, the plan here adopted is altogether preferable. In +this plan, the water is drawn from the boiler by the turning of a cock; +that from the cistern, by a minute's labor with the hand-pump. It is let +off by the drawing of a plug, and discharges, by a short pipe, into the +adjoining garden, or grassplat, to moisten and invigorate the trees and +plants which require it, and the whole affair is clean and sweet again. +A screen for the window gives all the privacy required, and the most +fastidious, shrinking female is as retired as in the shadiest nook of +her dressing-room. + +So with water-closets. A fashion prevails of thrusting these noisome +things into the midst of sleeping chambers and living rooms--pandering +to effeminacy, and, at times, surcharging the house--for they cannot, +at _all_ times, and under _all_ circumstances, be kept perfectly +close--with their offensive odor. _Out_ of the house they belong; and if +they, by any means, find their way within its walls proper, the fault +will not be laid at our door. + +To get back to our description. This bathing-room occupies a corner of +the wood-house. + +A raised platform passes from the wash-room in, past the bath-room, to a +water-closet, which may be divided into two apartments, if desirable. +The vaults are accessible from the rear, for cleaning out, or +introducing lime, gypsum, powdered charcoal, or other deodorizing +material. At the extreme corner of the wood-house, a door opens into a +feed and swill-room, 20x8 feet, which is reached by steps, and stands +quite eighteen inches above the ground level, on a stone under-pinning, +or with a stone cellar beneath, for the storage of roots in winter. In +one corner of this is a boiler and chimney, for cooking food for the +pigs and chickens. A door leads from this room into the piggery, 20x12 +feet, where half-a-dozen swine may be kept. A door leads from this pen +into a yard, in the rear, where they will be less offensive than if +confined within. If necessary, a flight of steps, leading to the loft +overhead, may be built, where corn can be stored for their feeding. + +Next to this is the workshop and tool-house, 18x14 feet; and, in rear, a +snug, warm house for the family chickens, 18x6 feet. These chickens may +also have the run of the yard in rear, with the pigs, and apartments in +the loft overhead for roosting. + +Adjoining the workshop is the carriage house, 18x18 feet, with a flight +of stairs to the hayloft above, in which is, also, a dovecote; and, +leading out of the carriage floor, is the stable, 18x12 feet, with +stalls for two or four horses, and a passage of four feet wide, from the +carriage-house into it; thus completing, and drawing under one +continuous roof, and at less exposure than if separated, the chief +every-day requirements of living, to a well-arranged and +highly-respectable family. + +The chamber plan of the dwelling will be readily understood by reference +to its arrangement. There are a sufficiency of closets for all purposes, +and the whole are accessible from either flight of stairs. The rooms +over the wing, of course, should be devoted to the male domestics of the +family, work-people, &c. + + +SURROUNDING PLANTATIONS, SHRUBBERY, WALKS, ETC. + +After the general remarks made in the preceding pages, no _particular_ +instructions can be given for the manner in which this residence should +be embellished in its trees and shrubbery. The large forest trees, +always grand, graceful, and appropriate, would become such a house, +throwing a protecting air around and over its quiet, unpretending roof. +Vines, or climbing roses, might throw their delicate spray around the +columns of the modest veranda, and a varied selection of familiar +shrubbery and ornamental plants checker the immediate front and sides of +the house looking out upon the lawn; through which a spacious walk, or +carriage-way should wind, from the high road, or chief approach. + +There are, however, so many objects to be consulted in the various sites +of houses, that no one rule can be laid down for individual guidance. +The surface of the ground immediately adjoining the house must be +considered; the position of the house, as it is viewed from surrounding +objects; its altitude, or depression, as affected by the adjacent lands; +its command upon surrounding near, or distant objects, in the way of +prospect; the presence of water, either in stream, pond, or lake, far or +near, or the absence of water altogether--all these enter immediately +into the manner in which the lawn of a house should be laid out, and +worked, and planted. But as a rule, all _filagree_ work, such as +serpentine paths, and tortuous, unmeaning circles, artificial piles of +rock, and a multitude of small _ornaments_--so esteemed, by some--should +never be introduced into the lawn of a _farm_ house. It is unmeaning, +in the first place; expensive in its care, in the second place; +unsatisfactory and annoying altogether. Such things about a farm +establishment are neither dignified nor useful, and should be left to +town's-people, having but a stinted appreciation of what constitutes +_natural_ beauty, and wanting to make the most of the limited piece of +ground of which they are possessed. + +Nor would we shut out, by these remarks, the beauty and odor of the +flower-borders, which are so appropriately the care of the good matron +of the household and her comely daughters. To them may be devoted a +well-dug plat beneath the windows, or in the garden. Enough, and to +spare, they should always have, of such cheerful, life-giving pleasures. +We only object to their being strewed all over the ground,--a tussoc of +plant here, a patch of posey there, and a scattering of both everywhere, +without either system or meaning. They lower the dignity and simplicity +of the country dwelling altogether. + +The business approach to this house is, of course, toward the stables +and carriage-house, and from them should lead off the main farm-avenue. + +The kitchen garden, if possible, should lie on the kitchen side of the +house, where, also, should be placed the bee-house, in full sight from +the windows, that their labors and swarming may be watched. In fact, the +entire economy of the farm house, and its appendages, should be brought +close under the eye of the household, to engage their care and +watchfulness, and to interest them in all the little associations and +endearments--and they are many, when properly studied out--which go to +make agricultural life one of the most agreeable pursuits, if not +altogether so, in which our lot in life may be cast. + +A fruit-garden, too, should be a prominent object near this house. We +are now advancing somewhat into the _elegances_ of agricultural life; +and although fruit trees, and _good_ fruits too, should hold a strong +place in the surroundings of even the humblest of all country +places--sufficient, at least, for the ample use of the family--they have +not yet been noticed, to any extent, in those already described. It may +be remarked, that the fruit-_garden_--the _orchard_, for market +purposes, is not here intended--should be placed in near proximity to +the house. All the _small_ fruits, for household use, such as +strawberries, raspberries, currants, gooseberries, blackberries, grapes, +as well as apricots, plums, nectarines, peaches, pears, apples, quinces, +or whatever fruits may be cultivated, in different localities, should be +close by, for the convenience of collecting them, and to protect them +from destruction by vermin, birds, or the depredations of creatures +_called_ human. + +A decided plan of arrangement for all the plantations and grounds, +should enter into the composition of the site for the dwelling, +out-houses, gardens, &c., as they are to appear when the whole +establishment is completed; and nothing left to accident, chance, or +after-thought, which can be disposed of at the commencement. By the +adoption of such a course, the entire composition is more easily +perfected, and with infinitely greater expression of character, than if +left to the chance designs, or accidental demands of the future. + +Another feature should be strictly enforced, in the outward appointments +of the farm house,--and that is, the entire withdrawal of any use of the +highway, in its occupation by the stock of the farm, except in leading +them to and from its enclosures. Nothing looks more slovenly, and +nothing can be more unthrifty, in an _enclosed_ country, than the +running of farm stock in the highway. What so untidy as the approach to +a house, with a herd of filthy hogs rooting about the fences, basking +along the sidewalk, or feeding at a huge, uncouth, hollowed log, in the +road near the dwelling. It may be out of place here to speak of it, but +this disgusting spectacle has so often offended our sight, at the +approach of an otherwise pleasant farm establishment, that we cannot +forego the opportunity to speak of it. The road lying in front, or +between the different sections of the farm, should be as well, and as +cleanly kept as any portion of the enclosures, and it is equally a sin +against good taste and neighborhood-morality, to have it otherwise. + + +TREE-PLANTING IN THE HIGHWAY. + +This is frequently recommended by writers on country embellishment, as +indispensable to a finished decoration of the farm. Such may, or may not +be the fact. Trees shade the roads, when planted on their sides, and so +they partially do the fields adjoining, making the first muddy, in bad +weather, by preventing the sun drying them, and shading the crops of the +last by their overhanging foliage, in the season of their growth. Thus +they are an evil, in moist and heavy soils. Yet, in light soils, their +shade is grateful to the highway traveler, and not, perhaps, injurious +to the crops of the adjoining field; and when of proper kinds, they add +grace and beauty to the domain in which they stand. We do not, +therefore, indiscriminately recommend them, but leave it to the +discretion of the farmer, to decide for himself, having seen estates +equally pleasant with, and without trees on the roadside. Nothing, +however, can be more beautiful than a clump of trees in a +pasture-ground, with a herd, or a flock beneath them, near the road; or +the grand and overshadowing branches of stately tree, in a rich meadow, +leaning, perhaps, over the highway fence, or flourishing in its solitary +grandeur, in the distance--each, and all, imposing features in the rural +landscape. All such should be preserved, with the greatest care and +solicitude, as among the highest and most attractive ornaments which the +farm can boast. + + + + + [Illustration: FARM HOUSE. Pages 131-132.] + +DESIGN V. + + +We here present a dwelling of a more ambitious and pretending character +than any one which we have, as yet, described, and calculated for a +large and wealthy farmer, who indulges in the elegances of country life, +dispenses a liberal hospitality, and is every way a country gentleman, +such as all our farmers of ample means should be. It will answer the +demands of the retired man of business as well; and is, perhaps, as full +in its various accommodation as an American farm or country house may +require. It claims no distinct style of architecture, but is a +composition agreeable in effect, and appropriate to almost any part of +the country, and its climate. Its site may be on either hill or +plain--with a view extensive, or restricted. It may look out over broad +savannas, cultivated fields, and shining waters; it may nestle amid its +own quiet woods and lawn in its own selected shade and retirement, or +lord it over an extensive park, ranged by herds and flocks, meandered by +its own stream, spreading anon into the placid lake, or rushing swiftly +over its own narrow bed--an independent, substantial, convenient, and +well-conditioned home, standing upon its own broad acres, and comporting +with the character and standing of its occupant, among his friends and +neighbors. + +The main building is 50x40 feet in area upon the ground, two stories +high; the ground story 11 feet high, its floor elevated 2-1/2 or 3 feet +above the level of the surrounding surface, as its position may demand; +the chambers 9 feet high, and running 2 feet into the roof. The rear +wing is one and a half stories high, 36x16 feet; the lower rooms 11 feet +high, with a one story lean-to range of closets, and small rooms on the +weather side, 8 feet in width and 9 feet high. In the rear of these is a +wood-house, 30x20 feet, with 10 feet posts, dropped to a level with the +ground. At the extremity of this is a building, by way of an L, 60x20 +feet, one and a half stories high, with a lean-to, 12x30 feet, in the +rear. The ground rooms of this are elevated 1-1/2 feet above the ground, +and 9 feet high. A broad roof covers the whole, standing at an angle of +40 or 45deg above a horizontal line, and projecting widely over the +walls, 2-1/2 to 3 feet on the main building, and 2 feet on the others, +to shelter them perfectly from the storms and damps of the weather. A +small cupola stands out of the ridge of the rear building, which may +serve as a ventilator to the apartments and lofts below, and in it may +be hung a bell, to summon the household, or the field laborers, as the +case may be, to their duties or their meals. + +The design, as here shown, is rather florid, and perhaps profusely +ornamental in its finish, as comporting with the taste of the day; but +the cut and moulded trimmings may be left off by those who prefer a +plain finish, and be no detriment to the general effect which the deep +friezes of the roofs, properly cased beneath, may give to it. Such, +indeed, is our own taste; but this full finish has been added, to +gratify such as wish the full ornament which this style of building may +admit. + + + [Illustration: GROUND PLAN.] + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +The front of this house is accommodated by a porch, or veranda, 40 feet +long, and 10 feet wide, with a central, or entrance projection of 18 +feet in length, and 12 feet in width, the floor of which is eight inches +below the main floor of the house. The wings, or sides of this veranda +may be so fitted up as to allow a pleasant conservatory on each side of +the entrance area in winter, by enclosing them with glass windows, and +the introduction of heat from a furnace under the main hall, in the +cellar of the house. This would add to its general effect in winter, +and, if continued through the summer, would not detract from its +expression of dignity and refinement. From the veranda, a door in the +center of the front, with two side windows, leads into the main hall, +which is 26x12 feet in area, two feet in the width of which is taken +from the rooms on the right of the main entrance. On the left of the +hall a door opens into a parlor or drawing-room, marked P, 20 feet +square, with a bay window on one side, containing three sashes, and +seats beneath. A single window lights the front opening on to the +veranda. On the opposite side to this is the fireplace, with blank walls +on each side. On the opposite side of the hall is a library, 18x16 feet, +with an end window, and a corresponding one to the parlor, in front, +looking out on the veranda. In case these portions of the veranda, +opposite the two front windows are occupied as conservatories, these +windows should open to the floor, to admit a walk immediately into them. +At the farther corner of the library a narrow door leads into an office, +or business apartment, 12x8 feet, and opening by a broad door, the upper +half of which is a lighted sash. This door leads from the office out on +a small porch, with a floor and two columns, 8x5 feet, and nine feet +high, with a gable and double roof of the same pitch as the house. +Between the chimney flues, in the rear of this room may be placed an +iron safe, or chest for the deposit of valuable papers; and, although +small, a table and chairs sufficient to accommodate the business +requirements of the occupant, may be kept in it. A chimney stands in the +center of the inner wall of the library, in which may be a fireplace, or +a flue to receive a stovepipe, whichever may be preferred for warming +the room. + +Near the hall side of the library a door opens into a passage leading +into the family bedroom, or nursery. A portion of this passage may be +shelved and fitted up as a closet for any convenient purpose. The +nursery is 18x16 feet in size, lighted by two windows. It may have an +open fireplace, or a stove, as preferred, let into the chimney, +corresponding to that in the library. These two chimneys may either be +drawn together in the chambers immediately above, or carried up +separately into the garret, and pass out of the roof in one stack, or +they maybe built in one solid mass from the cellar bottom; but they are +so placed here, as saving room on the floors, and equally accommodating, +in their separate divisions, the stovepipes that may lead into them. +On the inner side of the nursery, a door leads into a large closet, or +child's sleeping-room, 9x8 feet; or it may be used as a dressing-room, +with a sash inserted in the door to light it. A door may also lead from +it into the small rear entry of the house, and thus pass directly out, +without communicating with the nursery. On the extreme left corner of +the nursery is a door leading into the back entry, by which it +communicates either with the rear porch, the dining-room, or the +kitchen. Such a room we consider indispensable to the proper +accommodation of a house in the country, as saving a world of +up-and-down-stairs' labor to her who is usually charged with the +domestic cares and supervision of the family. + +On the right of the main hall an ample staircase leads into the upper +hall by a landing and broad stair at eight feet above the floor, and a +right-angled flight from that to the main floor above. Under this main +hall staircase, a door and stairs may lead into the cellar. Beyond the +turning flight below, a door leads into the back hall, or entry, already +mentioned, which is 13x4 feet in area, which also has a side passage of +8x4 feet, and a door leading to the rear porch, and another into the +kitchen at its farther side, near the outer one. Opposite the turning +flight of stairs, in the main hall, is also a door leading to the +dining-room, 20x16 feet. This is lighted by a large double window at the +end. A fireplace, or stove flue is in the center wall, and on each side +a closet for plate, or table furniture. These closets come out flush +with the chimney. At the extreme right corner a door leads into the rear +entry--or this may be omitted, at pleasure. Another door in the rear +wall leads into the kitchen, past the passage down into the cellar--or +this may be omitted, if thought best. Still another door to the left, +opens into a large dining closet of the back lean-to apartments, 8x8 +feet. This closet is lighted by a window of proper architectural size, +and fitted up with a suite of drawers, shelves, table, and cupboards, +required for the preparation and deposit of the lighter family stores +and edibles. From this closet is also a door leading into the kitchen, +through which may be passed all the meats and cookery for the table, +either for safe-keeping, or immediate service. Here the thrifty and +careful housekeeper and her assistants may, shut apart, and by +themselves, get up, fabricate, and arrange all their table delicacies +with the greatest convenience and privacy, together with ease of access +either to the dining-room or kitchen--an apartment most necessary in a +liberally-arranged establishment. + +From the rear entry opens a door to the kitchen, passing by the _rear_ +chamber stairs. This flight of stairs may be entered directly from the +kitchen, leading either to the chamber, or under them, into the cellar, +without coming into the passage connecting with the entry or +dining-room, if preferred. In such case, a broad stair of thirty inches +in width should be next the door, on which to turn, as the door would be +at right angles with the stairs, either up or down. + +The kitchen is 20x16 feet, and 11 feet high. It has an outer door +leading on the rear porch, and a window on each side of that door; also +a window, under which is a sink, on the opposite side, at the end of a +passage four feet wide, leading through the lean-to. It has also an open +fireplace, and an oven by the side of it--old fashion. It may be also +furnished with a cooking range, or stove--the smoke and fumes leading by +a pipe into a flue into the chimney. On the lean-to side is a milk or +dairy-room, 8x8 feet, lighted by a window. Here also the kitchen +furniture and meats may be stored in cupboards made for the purpose. +In rear of the kitchen, and leading from it by a door through a lighted +passage next the rear porch, is the wash-room, 16x16 feet, lighted by a +large window from the porch side. A door also leads out of the rear on +to a platform into the wood-house. Another door leads from the wash-room +into a bath-room in the lean-to 8x8 feet, into which warm water is drawn +by a pipe and pump from the boiler in the wash-room; or, if preferred, +the bath-room may be entered from the main kitchen, by the passage next +the sink. This bath-room is lighted by a window. Next to the bath-room +is a bedroom for a man servant who has charge of the fires, and heavy +house-work, wood, &c., &c. This bedroom is also 8x8 feet, and lighted by +a window in the lean-to. In front of this wash-room and kitchen is a +porch, eight inches below the floor, six feet wide, with a railing, or +not, as may be preferred. (The railing is made in the cut.) A platform, +three feet wide, leads from the back door of the wash-room to a +water-closet for the family _proper_. The wood-house is open in front, +with a single post supporting the center of the roof. At the extreme +outer angle is a water-closet for the domestics of the establishment. + +Adjoining the wood-house, and opening from it into the L before +mentioned, is a workshop, and small-tool-house, 20x16 feet, lighted by a +large double window at one end. In this should be a carpenter's +work-bench and tool-chest, for the repairs of the farming utensils and +vehicles. Overhead is a store-room for lumber, or whatever else may be +necessary for use in that capacity. Next to this is a granary or +feed-room, 20x10 feet, with a small chimney in one corner, where may be +placed a boiler to cook food for pigs, poultry, &c., as the case may be. +Here may also be bins for storage of grain and meal. Leading out of this +is a flight of stairs passing to the chamber above, and a passage four +feet wide, through the rear, into a yard adjoining. At the further end +of the stairs a door opens into a poultry house, 16x10 feet, including +the stairs. The poultry room is lighted at the extreme left corner, by a +broad window. In this may be made roosts, and nesting places, and +feeding troughs. A low door under the window may be also made for the +fowls in passing to the rear yard. Adjoining the granary, and leading to +it by a door, is the carriage-house, 20x20 feet, at the gable end of +which are large doors for entrance. From the carriage-house is a broad +passage of six feet, into the stables, which are 12 feet wide, and +occupy the lean-to. This lean-to is eight feet high below the eaves, +with two double stalls for horses, and a door leading into the _side_ +yard, with the doors of the carriage-house. A window also lights the +rear of the stables. A piggery 12 feet square occupies the remainder of +the lean-to in rear of the poultry-house, in which two or three pigs can +always be kept, and fatted on the offal of the house, for _small_ pork, +at any season, apart from the swine stock of the farm. A door leads out +of the piggery into the rear yard, where range also the poultry. As the +_shed_ roof shuts down on to the pigsty and stables, no loft above them +is necessary. In the loft over the granary, poultry, and carriage-house +is deposited the hay, put in there through the doors which appear in the +design. + +CHAMBER PLAN.--This is easily understood. At the head of the stairs, +over the main hall, is a large passage leading to the porch, and opening +by a door-window on the middle deck of the veranda, which is nearly +level, and tinned, or coppered, water-tight, as are also the two sides. +On either side of this upper hall is a door leading to the front +sleeping chambers, which are well closeted, and spacious. If it be +desirable to construct more sleeping-rooms, they can be partitioned +laterally from the hall, and doors made to enter them. A rear hall is +cut off from the front, lighted by a window over the lower rear porch, +and a door leads into a further passage in the wing, four feet wide, +which leads down a flight of stairs into the kitchen below. At the head +of this flight is a chamber 20x12 feet, for the female domestic's +sleeping-room, in which may be placed a stove, if necessary, passing its +pipe into the kitchen chimney which passes through it. + + [Illustration: CHAMBER PLAN.] + +It is also lighted by a window over the lean-to, on the side. Back of +this, at the end of the passage, is the sleeping-room, 16 feet square, +for the "men-folks," lighted on both sides by a window. This may also be +warmed, if desired, by a stove, the pipe passing into the kitchen +chimney. + +The cellar may extend under the entire house and wing, as convenience or +necessity may require. If it be constructed under the main body only, an +offset should be excavated to accommodate the cellar stairs, three feet +in width, and walled in with the rest. A wide, _outer_ passage, with a +flight of steps should also be made under the rear nursery window, for +taking in and passing out bulky articles, with double doors to shut down +upon it; and partition walls should be built to support the partitions +of the large rooms above. Many minor items of detail might be mentioned, +all of which are already treated in the general remarks, under their +proper heads, in the body of the work, and which cannot here be +noticed--such as the mode of warming it, the construction of furnaces, +&c. + +It may, by some builders, be considered a striking defect in the +interior accommodation of a house of this character, that the chief +entrance hall should not be extended through, from its front to the +rear, as is common in many of the large mansions of our country. +We object to the large, open hall for more than one reason, except, +possibly, in a house for _summer_ occupation only. In the first place it +is uncomfortable, in subjecting the house to an unnecessary draught of +air when it is not needed, in cold weather. Secondly, it cuts the house +into two distinct parts, making them inconvenient of access in crossing +its wide surface. Thirdly, it is uneconomical, in taking up valuable +room that can be better appropriated. For summer ventilation it is +unnecessary; that may be given by simply opening the front door and a +chamber window connected with the hall above, through which a current of +fresh air will always pass. Another thing, the hall belongs to the +front, or _dress_ part of the house, and should be _cut off_ from the +more domestic and common apartments by a partition, although accessible +to them, and not directly communicating with such apartments, which +cannot of necessity, be in keeping with its showy and pretending +character. It should contain only the _front_ flight of stairs, as a +part of its appointments, besides the doors leading to its best +apartments on the ground floor, which should be centrally placed--its +rear door being of a less pretending and subordinate character. Thus, +the hall, with its open doors, connecting the best rooms of the house on +each side, with its ample flight of stairs in the background, gives a +distinct expression of superiority in occupation to the other and +humbler portions of the dwelling. + +In winter, too, how much more snug and comfortable is the house, shut in +from the prying winds and shivering cold of the outside air, which the +opposite outer doors of an open hall cannot, in their continual opening +and shutting, altogether exclude! Our own experience, and, we believe, +the experience of most housekeepers will readily concede its defects; +and after full reflection we have excluded it as both unnecessary and +inconvenient. + +Another objection has been avoided in the better class of houses here +presented, which has crept into very many of the designs of modern +builders; which is, that of using the living rooms of the family, more +or less, as passages from the kitchen apartments in passing to and from +the front hall, or chief entrance. Such we consider a decided objection, +and hence arose, probably, the older plans of by-gone years, of making +the main hall reach back to the kitchen itself. This is here obviated by +a cutting up of the rear section of the hall, by which a passage, in all +cases of the better kind of dwelling, is preserved, without encroaching +upon the occupied rooms in passing out and in. To be sure, the front +door is not the usual passage for the laborers or servants of the house, +but they are subject, any hour of the day, to be called there to admit +those who may come, and the continual opening of a private room for such +purposes is most annoying. Therefore, as matter of convenience, and as a +decided improvement on the designs above noticed, we have adhered +strictly to the separate rear passage. + +The _garret_, also, as we have arranged our designs, is either +altogether left out, or made a quite unimportant part of the dwelling. +It is but a _lumber_ room, at best; and should be approached only by a +flight of steps from a rear chamber or passage, and used as a receptacle +for useless traps, or cast-off furniture, seldom wanted. It is hot in +summer, and cold in winter, unfit for decent lodging to any human being +in the house, and of little account any way. We much prefer running the +chambers partially into the roof, which we think gives them a more +comfortable expression, and admits of a better ventilation, by carrying +their ceilings higher without the expense of high _body_ walls to the +house, which would give them an otherwise naked look. If it be objected +that thus running the chambers above the plates of the roof prevents the +insertion of proper ties or beams to hold the roof plates together to +prevent their spreading, we answer, that he must be a poor mechanic who +cannot, in framing the chamber partitions so connect the opposite plates +as to insure them against all such difficulty. A _sheltered, +comfortable_ aspect is that which should distinguish every farm house, +and the _cottage_ chamber is one of its chiefest characteristics; and +this can only be had by running such apartments into the roof, as in our +design. + + +CONSTRUCTION. + +A house of this kind must, according to its locality, and the material +of which it is built, be liable to wide differences of estimate in its +cost; and from our own experience in such matters, any estimate here +made we know cannot be reliable as a rule for other localities, where +the prices of material and labor are different from our own. Where +lumber, stone, and brick abound, and each are to be had at reasonable +prices, the cost of an establishment of this kind would not vary much in +the application of either one of these materials for the walls, if well +and substantially constructed. There should be no _sham_, nor slight, in +any part of the building. As already observed, the design shows a high +degree of finish, which, if building for ourself, we should not indulge +in. A plain style of cornice, and veranda finish, we should certainly +adopt. But the roof should not be contracted in its projecting breadth +over the walls, in any part of the structure--if anything, it should be +more extended. The bay-window is an appendage of luxury, only. Great +care should be had, in attaching its roof to the adjoining outer wall, +to prevent leakage of any kind. If the walls be of brick, or stone, +a beam or lintel of wood should be inserted in the wall over the +window-opening, quite two inches--three would be better--back from its +outer surface, to receive the casing of the window, that the drip of the +wall, and the driving of the storms may fall _over_ the connecting +joints of the window roof, beyond its point of junction with it. Such, +also, should be the case with the intersection of the veranda or porch +roof with the wall of the house, wherever a veranda, or porch is +adopted; as, simply joined on to a _flush_ surface, as such appendages +usually are--even if ever so well done--leakage and premature decay is +inevitable. + +The style of finish must, of course, influence, in a considerable +degree, its cost. It may, with the plainest finish, be done for $4,000, +and from that, up to $6,000. Every one desirous to build, should apply +to the best mechanics of his neighborhood for information on that point, +as, in such matters, they are the best judges, and from experience in +their own particular profession, of what the cost of building must be. + +The rules and customs of housekeeping vary, in different sections of the +United States, and the Canadas. These, also, enter into the estimates +for certain departments of building, and must be considered in the items +of expenditure. + +The manner in which houses should be warmed, the ventilation, +accommodation for servants and laborers, the appropriations to +hospitality--all, will have a bearing on the expense, of which we cannot +be the proper judge. + +A sufficient time should be given, to build a house of this character. +A house designed and built in a hurry, is never a satisfactory house in +its occupation. A year is little enough, and if two years be occupied in +its design and construction, the more acceptable will probably be its +finish, and the more comfort will be added in its enjoyment. + + +GROUNDS, PLANTATIONS, AND SURROUNDINGS. + +A house of this kind should never stand in vulgar and familiar contact +with the highway, but at a distance from it of one hundred to a thousand +yards; or even, if the estate on which it is built be extensive, a much +greater distance. Breadth of ground between the highway and the dwelling +adds dignity and character to its appearance. An ample lawn, or a +spreading park, well shaded with trees, should lay before it, through +which a well-kept avenue leads to its front, and most frequented side. +The various offices and buildings of the farm itself, should be at a +respectable distance from it, so as not to interfere with its proper +keeping as a genteel country residence. Its occupant is not to be +supposed as under the necessity of toiling with his daily laborers in +the fields, and therefore, although he may be strictly a man of +business, he has sufficient employment in planning his work, and +managing his estate through a foreman, in the various labor-occupations +of the estate. His horse may be at his door in the earliest morning +hours, that he may inspect his fields, and give timely directions to his +laborers, or view his herds, or his flocks, before his breakfast hour; +or an early walk may take him to his stables, his barns, or to see that +his previous directions are executed. + +The various accommodation appurtenant to the dwelling, makes ample +provision for the household convenience of the family, and the main +business of the farm may be at some distance, without inconvenience to +the owner's every-day affairs. Consequently, the indulgence of a +considerable degree of ornament may be given, in the surroundings of his +dwelling, which the occupant of a less extensive estate would neither +require, nor his circumstances warrant. A natural forest of stately +trees, properly thinned out, is the most appropriate spot on which to +build a house of this character. But that not at hand, it should be set +off with plantations of forest trees, of the largest growth, as in +keeping with its own liberal dimensions. A capacious kitchen garden +should lead off from the rear apartments, well stocked with all the +family vegetables, and culinary fruits, in their proper seasons. A +luxuriant fruit-garden may flank the least frequented side of the house. +Neat and tasteful flower beds may lie beneath the windows of the rooms +appropriated to the leisure hours of the family, to which the smaller +varieties of shrubbery may be added, separated from the chief lawn, or +park, only by a wire fence, or a simple railing, such as not to cut up +and _checker_ its simple and dignified surface; and all these shut in on +the rear from the adjoining fields of the farm by belts of large +shrubbery closely planted, or the larger orchards, thus giving it a +style of its own, yet showing its connection with the pursuits of the +farm and its dependence upon it. + +These various appointments, however, may be either carried out or +restricted, according to the requirements of the family occupying the +estate, and the prevailing local taste of the vicinity in which it is +situated; but no narrow or stingy spirit should be indicated in the +general plan or in its execution. Every appointment connected with it +should indicate a liberality of purpose in the founder, without which +its effect is painfully marred to the eye of the man of true taste and +judgment. Small yards, picketed in for small uses, have no business in +sight of the grounds in front, and all minor concerns should be thrown +into the rear, beyond observation from the main approach to the +dwelling. The trees that shade the entrance park, or lawn, should be +chiefly forest trees, as the oak, in its varieties, the elm, the maple, +the chestnut, walnut, butternut, hickory, or beech. If the soil be +favorable, a few weeping willows may throw their drooping spray around +the house; and if exotic, or foreign trees be permitted, they should +take their position in closer proximity to it than the natural forest +trees, as indicating the higher care and cultivation which attaches to +its presence. The Lombardy poplar, albeit a tree of disputed taste with +modern planters, we would now and then throw in, not in stiff and formal +rows, as guarding an avenue, but occasionally in the midst of a group of +others, above which it should rise like a church spire from amidst a +block of contiguous houses--a cheerful relief to the monotony of the +rounder-headed branches of the more spreading varieties. If a stream of +water meander the park, or spread into a little pond, trees which are +partial to moisture should shadow it at different points, and low, water +shrubs should hang over its border, or even run into its margin. Aquatic +herbs, too, may form a part of its ornaments, and a boat-house, if such +a thing be necessary, should, under the shade of a hanging tree of some +kind, be a conspicuous object in the picture. An overhanging rock, if +such a thing be native there, may be an object of great attraction to +its features, and its outlet may steal away and be hid in a dense mass +of tangled vines and brushwood. The predominating, _natural_ features of +the place should be _cultivated_, not rooted out, and metamorphosed into +something foreign and unfamiliar. It should, in short, be _nature_ with +her _hair combed_ out straight, flowing, and graceful, instead of +pinched, puffed, and curling--a thing of luxuriance and beauty under the +hand of a master. + +The great difficulty with many Americans in getting up a new place of +any considerable extent is, that they seem to think whatever is common, +or natural in the features of the spot must be so changed as to show, +above all others, their own ingenuity and love of expense in fashioning +it to their peculiar tastes. Rocks must be sunk, or blasted, trees +felled, and bushes grubbed, crooked water-courses straightened--the +place gibbeted and put into stocks; in fact, that their own boasted +handiwork may rise superior to the wisdom of Him who fashioned it in his +own good pleasure; forgetting that a thousand points of natural beauty +upon the earth on which they breathe are + + "When unadorned, adorned the most;" + +and our eye has been frequently shocked at finding the choicest gems of +nature sacrificed to a wanton display of expense in perverting, to the +indulgence of a mistaken fancy, that, which, with an eye to truth and +propriety, and at a trifling expense, might have become a spot of +abiding interest and contentment. + + + + +DESIGN VI. + + +A SOUTHERN OR PLANTATION HOUSE.--The proprietor of a plantation in the +South, or South-west, requires altogether a different kind of residence +from the farmer of the Northern, or Middle States. He resides in the +midst of his own principality, surrounded by a retinue of dependents and +laborers, who dwell distant and apart from his own immediate family, +although composing a community requiring his daily care and +superintendence for a great share of his time. A portion of them are +the attaches of his household, yet so disconnected in their domestic +relations, as to require a separate accommodation, and yet be in +immediate contiguity with it, and of course, an arrangement of living +widely different from those who mingle in the same circle, and partake +at the same board. + + [Illustration: FARM HOUSE. Pages 155-156.] + +The usual plan of house-building at the South, we are aware, is to have +_detached_ servants' rooms, and offices, and a space of some yards of +uncovered way intervene between the family rooms of the chief dwelling +and its immediate dependents. Such arrangement, however, we consider +both unnecessary and inconvenient; and we have devised a plan of +household accommodation which will bring the family of the planter +himself, and their servants, although under different roofs, into +convenient proximity with each other. A design of this kind is here +given. + +The style is mainly Italian, plain, substantial, yet, we think, +becoming. The broad veranda, stretching around three sides, including +the front, gives an air of sheltered repose to what might otherwise +appear an ambitious structure; and the connected apartments beyond, show +a quiet utility which divests it of an over attempt at display. Nothing +has been attempted for appearance, solely, beyond what is necessary and +proper in the dwelling of a planter of good estate, who wants his +domestic affairs well regulated, and his family, and servants duly +provided with convenient accommodation. The form of the main dwelling is +nearly square, upright, with two full stories, giving ample area of room +and ventilation, together with that appropriate indulgence to ease which +the enervating warmth of a southern climate renders necessary. The +servants' apartments, and kitchen offices are so disposed, that while +connected, to render them easy of access, they are sufficiently remote +to shut off the familiarity of association which would render them +obnoxious to the most fastidious--all, in fact, under one shelter, and +within the readiest call. Such should be the construction of a planter's +house in the United States, and such this design is intended to give. + +A stable and carriage-house, in the same style, is near by, not +connected to any part of the dwelling, as in the previous designs--with +sufficient accommodation for coachman and grooms, and the number of +saddle and carriage horses that may be required for either business or +pleasure; and to it may be connected, in the rear, in the same style of +building, or plainer, and less expensive, further conveniences for such +domestic animals as may be required for family use. + +The whole stands in open grounds, and may be separated from each other +by enclosures, as convenience or fancy may direct. + +The roofs of all the buildings are broad and sweeping, well protecting +the walls from storm and frosts, as well as the glaring influences of +the sun, and combining that comfortable idea of shelter and repose so +grateful in a well-conditioned country house. It is true, that the +dwelling might be more extensive in room, and the purposes of luxury +enlarged; but the planter on five hundred, or five thousand acres of +land can here be sufficiently accommodated in all the reasonable +indulgences of family enjoyment, and a liberal, even an elegant and +prolonged hospitality, to which he is so generally inclined. + +The chimneys of this house, different from those in the previous +designs, are placed next the outer walls, thus giving more space to the +interior, and not being required, as in the others, to promote +additional warmth than their fireplaces will give, to the rooms. A deck +on the roof affords a pleasant look-out for the family from its top, +guarded by a parapet, and giving a finish to its architectural +appearance, and yet making no ambitious attempt at expensive ornament. +It is, in fact, a plain, substantial, respectable mansion for a +gentleman of good estate, and nothing beyond it. + + + [Illustration: GROUND PLAN.] + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +This house stands 50x40 feet on the ground. The front door opens from +the veranda into a hall, 24x14 feet, in which is a flight of stairs +leading to the chambers above. On the left a door leads into a library, +or business room, 17x17 feet, lighted by three windows. A fireplace is +inserted in the outer wall. Another door leads into a side hall, six +feet wide, which separates the library from the dining-room, which is +also 17x17 feet in area, lighted and accommodated with a fireplace like +the other, with a door leading into it from the side hall, and another +door at the further right hand corner leading into the rear hall, or +entry. + +On the right of the chief entrance hall, opposite the library, a door +opens into the parlor or drawing-room, 23x19 feet in area, lighted by +three windows, and having a fireplace in the side wall. A door leads +from the rear side of the parlor into a commodious nursery, or family +bedroom, 19x16 feet in size, lighted by a window in each outer wall. A +fireplace is also inserted on the same line as in the parlor. From the +nursery a door leads into and through a large closet, 9x7 feet, into the +rear hall. This closet may also be used as a sleeping-room for the +children, or a confidential servant-maid, or nurse, or devoted to the +storage of bed-linen for family use. Further on, adjoining, is another +closet, 7x6 feet, opening from the rear hall, and lighted by a window. + +Leading from the outer door of the rear hall is a covered passage six +feet wide, 16 feet long, and one and a half stories high, leading to the +kitchen offices, and lighted by a window on the left, with a door +opening in the same side beyond, on to the side front of the +establishment. On the right, opposite, a door leads on to the kitchen +porch, which is six feet wide, passing on to the bath-room and +water-closet, in the far rear. At the end of the connecting passage from +the main dwelling, a door opens into the kitchen, which is 24x18 feet in +size, accommodated with two windows looking on to the porch just +described. At one end is an open fireplace with a cooking range on one +side, and an oven on the other. At the left of the entrance door is a +large, commodious store-room and pantry, 12x9 feet, lighted by a window; +and adjoining it, (and may be connected with it by a door, if +necessary,) a kitchen closet of the same size, also connected by a +corresponding door from the opposite corner of the kitchen. Between +these doors is a flight of stairs leading to the sleeping-rooms above, +and a cellar passage beneath them. In the farther right corner of the +kitchen a door leads into a smaller closet, 8x6 feet, lighted by a small +window looking on to the rear porch at the end. A door at the rear of +the kitchen leads out into the porch of the wash-room beyond, which is +six feet wide, and another door into the wash-room itself, which is +20x16 feet, and furnished with a chimney and boilers. A window looks out +on the extreme right hand, and two windows on to the porch in front. +A door opens from its rear wall into the wood-house, 32x12 feet, which +stands open on two sides, supported by posts, and under the extended +roof of the wash-room and its porch just mentioned. A servants' +water-closet is attached to the extreme right corner of the wood-house, +by way of lean-to. + +The bath-room is 10x6 feet in area, and supplied with water from the +kitchen boilers adjoining. The water-closet beyond is 6 feet square, and +architecturally, in its roof, may be made a fitting termination to that +of the porch leading to it. + + [Illustration: CHAMBER PLAN.] + +The main flight of stairs in the entrance hall leads on to a broad +landing in the spacious upper hall, from which doors pass into the +several chambers, which may be duly accommodated with closets. The +passage connecting with the upper story of the servants' offices, opens +from the rear section of this upper hall, and by the flight of rear +stairs communicates with the kitchen and out-buildings. A garret flight +of steps may be made in the rear section of the main upper hall, by +which that apartment may be reached, and the upper deck of the roof +ascended. + +The sleeping-rooms of the kitchen may be divided off as convenience may +dictate, and the entire structure thus appropriated to every +accommodation which a well-regulated family need require. + + [Illustration: CARRIAGE HOUSE.] + +The carriage-house is 48x24 feet in size, with a projection of five feet +on the entrance front, the door of which leads both into the +carriage-room and stables. On the right is a bedroom, 10x8 feet, for the +grooms, lighted by a window; and beyond are six stalls for horses, with +a window in the rear wall beyond them. A flight of stairs leads to the +hayloft above. In the rear of the carriage-room is a harness-room, 12x4 +feet, and a granary of the same size, each lighted by a window. If +farther attachments be required for the accommodation of out-building +conveniences, they may be continued indefinitely in the rear. + + +MISCELLANEOUS. + +It may strike the reader that the house just described has a lavish +appropriation of veranda, and a needless side-front, which latter may +detract from the _precise_ architectural keeping that a dwelling of this +pretension should maintain. In regard to the first, it may be remarked, +that no feature of the house in a southern climate can be more +expressive of easy, comfortable enjoyment, than a spacious veranda. The +habits of southern life demand it as a place of exercise in wet weather, +and the cooler seasons of the year, as well as a place of recreation and +social intercourse during the fervid heats of the summer. Indeed, many +southern people almost live under the shade of their verandas. It is a +delightful place to take their meals, to receive their visitors and +friends; and the veranda gives to a dwelling the very expression of +hospitality, so far as any one feature of a dwelling can do it. No equal +amount of accommodation can be provided for the same cost. It adds +infinitely to the _room_ of the house itself, and is, in fact, +indispensable to the full enjoyment of a southern house. + +The side front in this design is simply a matter of convenience to the +owner and occupant of the estate, who has usually much office business +in its management; and in the almost daily use of his library, where +such business may be done, a side door and front is both appropriate and +convenient. The _chief_ front entrance belongs to his family and guests, +and should be devoted to their exclusive use; and as a light fence may +be thrown off from the extreme end of the side porch, separating the +front lawn from the rear approach to the house, the veranda on that side +may be reached from its rear end, for business purposes, without +intruding upon the lawn at all. So we would arrange it. + +Objections may be made to the _sameness_ of plan, in the arrangement of +the lower rooms of the several designs which we have submitted, such as +having the nursery, or family sleeping-room, on the main floor of the +house, and the uniformity, in location, of the others; and that there +are no _new_ and _striking_ features in them. The answer to these may +be, that the room appropriated for the nursery, or bedroom, may be used +for other purposes, equally as well; that when a mode of accommodation +is already as convenient as may be, it is poorly worth while to make it +less convenient, merely for the sake of variety; and, that utility and +convenience are the main objects to be attained in any well-ordered +dwelling. These two requisites, utility and convenience, attained, the +third and principal one--comfort--is secured. Cellar kitchens--the most +abominable nuisances that ever crept into a country dwelling--might have +been adopted, no doubt, to the especial delight of some who know nothing +of the experimental duties of housekeeping; but the recommendation of +these is an offence which we have no stomach to answer for hereafter. +Steep, winding, and complicated staircases might have given a new +feature to one or another of the designs; dark closets, intricate +passages, unique cubby-holes, and all sorts of inside gimcrackery might +have amused our pencil; but we have avoided them, as well as everything +which would stand in the way of the simplest, cheapest, and most direct +mode of reaching the object in view: a convenient, comfortably-arranged +dwelling within, having a respectable, dignified appearance without--and +such, we trust, have been thus far presented in our designs. + + +LAWN, AND PARK SURROUNDINGS. + +The trees and shrubbery which ornament the approach to this house, +should be rather of the graceful varieties, than otherwise. The +weeping-willow, the horse-chesnut, the mountain-ash, if suitable to the +climate; or the china-tree of the south, or the linden, the weeping-elm, +and the silver-maple, with its long slender branches and hanging leaves, +would add most to the beauty, and comport more closely with the +character of this establishment, than the more upright, stiff, and +unbending trees of our American forests. The Lombardy-poplar--albeit, +an object of fashionable derision with many tree-fanciers in these more +_tasty_ days, as it was equally the admiration of our fathers, of forty +years ago--would set off and give effect to a mansion of this character, +either in a clump at the back-ground, as shown in the design, or +occasionally shooting up its spire-like top through a group of the other +trees. Yet, if built in a fine natural park or lawn of oaks, with a few +other trees, such as we have named, planted immediately around it, this +house would still show with fine effect. + +The style of finish given to this dwelling may appear too ornate and +expensive for the position it is supposed to occupy. If so, a plainer +mode of finish may be adopted, to the cheapest degree consistent with +the manner of its construction. Still, on examination, there will be +found little intricate or really expensive work upon it. Strength, +substance, durability, should all enter into its composition; and +without these elements, a house of this appearance is a mere bauble, not +fit to stand upon the premises of any man of substantial estate. + +If a more extensive accommodation be necessary, than the size of this +house can afford, its style will admit of a wing, of any desirable +length, on each side, in place of the rear part of the side verandas, +without prejudice to its character or effect. Indeed, such wings may add +to its dignity, and consequence, as comporting with the standing and +influence which its occupant may hold in the community wherein he +resides. A man of mark, indeed, should, if he live in the country, +occupy a dwelling somewhat indicating the position which he holds, both +in society and in public affairs. By this remark, we may be treading on +questionable ground, in our democratic country; but, practically, there +is a fitness in it which no one can dispute. Not that extravagance, +pretension, or any other _assumption_ of superiority should mark the +dwelling of the distinguished man, but that his dwelling be of like +character with himself: plain, dignified, solid, and, as a matter of +course, altogether respectable. + +It is a happy feature in the composition of our republican institutions, +both social and political, that we can afford to let the flashy men of +the _day_--not of _time_--flaunter in all their purchased fancy in +house-building, without prejudice to the prevailing sober sentiment of +their neighbors, in such particulars. The man of money, simply, may +build his "villa," and squander his tens of thousands upon it. He may +riot within it, and fidget about it for a few brief years; he may even +hang his coat of arms upon it, if he can fortunately do so without +stumbling over a lapstone, or greasing his coat against the pans of a +cook-shop; but it is equally sure that no child of his will occupy it +after him, even if his own changeable fancy or circumstances permit him +to retain it for his natural life. Such are the episodes of country +house-building, and of frequent attempts at agricultural life, by those +who affect it as a matter of ostentation or display. For the subjects of +these, we do not write. But there is something exceedingly grateful to +the feelings of one of stable views in life, to look upon an estate +which has been long in an individual family, still maintaining its +primitive character and respectability. Some five-and-twenty years ago, +when too young to have any established opinions in matters of this sort, +as we were driving through one of the old farming towns in +Massachusetts, about twenty miles west of Boston, we approached a +comfortable, well-conditioned farm, with a tavern-house upon the high +road, and several great elms standing about it. The road passed between +two of the trees, and from a cross-beam, lodged across their branches, +swung a large square sign, with names and dates painted upon it--name +and date we have forgotten; it was a good old Puritan name, however--in +this wise: + + "John Endicott, 1652." + "John Endicott, 1696." + "John Endicott, 1749." + "John Endicott, 1784." + "John Endicott, 1817." + +As our eyes read over this list, we were struck with the stability of a +family who for many consecutive generations had occupied, by the same +name, that venerable spot, and ministered to the comfort of as many +generations of travelers, and incontinently took off our hat in respect +to the record of so much worth, drove our horse under the shed, had him +fed, went in, and took a quiet family dinner with the civil, +good-tempered host, and the equally kind-mannered hostess, then in the +prime of life, surrounded with a fine family of children, and heard from +his own lips the history of his ancestors, from their first emigration +from England--not in the Mayflower, to whose immeasurable accommodations +our good New England ancestors are so prone to refer--but in one of her +early successors. + +All over the old thirteen states, from Maine to Georgia, can be found +agricultural estates now containing families, the descendants of those +who founded them--exceptions to the general rule, we admit, of American +stability of residence, but none the less gratifying to the +contemplation of those who respect a deep love of home, wherever it may +be found. For the moral of our episode on this subject, we cannot +refrain from a description of a fine old estate which we have frequently +seen, minus now the buildings which then existed, and long since +supplanted by others equally respectable and commodious, and erected by +the successor of the original occupant, the late Dr. Boylston, of +Roxbury, who long made the farm his summer residence. The description is +from an old work, "The History of the County of Worcester, in the State +of Massachusetts, by the Rev. Peter Whitney, 1793:" + + "Many of the houses (in Princeton,) are large and elegant. This + leads to a particular mention, that in this town is the country seat + of the Hon. Moses Gill, Esq., ('Honorable' meant something in those + days,) who has been from the year 1775 one of the Judges of the + Court of Common Pleas for the county of Worcester, and for several + years a counsellor of this commonwealth. His noble and elegant seat + is about one mile and a quarter from the meeting-house, to the + south. The farm contains upwards of three thousand acres. The county + road from Princeton to Worcester passes through it, in front of the + house, which faces to the west. The buildings stand upon the highest + land of the whole farm; but it is level round about them for many + rods, and then there is a very gradual descent. The land on which + these buildings stand is elevated between twelve hundred and + thirteen hundred feet above the level of the sea, as the Hon. James + Winthrop, Esq. informs me. The mansion house is large, being 50x50 + feet, with four stacks of chimnies. The farm house is 40 feet by 36: + In a line with this stand the coach and chaise-house, 50 feet by 36. + This is joined to the barn by a shed 70 feet in length--the barn is + 200 feet by 32. Very elegant fences are erected around the mansion + house, the out-houses, and the garden. + + "The prospect from this seat is extensive and grand, taking in a + horizon to the east, of seventy miles, at least. The blue hills in + Milton are discernible with the naked eye, from the windows of this + superb edifice, distant not less than sixty miles; as also the + waters in the harbor of Boston, at certain seasons of the year. When + we view this seat, these buildings, and this farm of so many hundred + acres, now under a high degree of profitable cultivation, and are + told that in the year 1766 it was a perfect wilderness, we are + struck with wonder, admiration, and astonishment. The honorable + proprietor thereof must have great satisfaction in contemplating + these improvements, so extensive, made under his direction, and, + I may add, by his own active industry. Judge Gill is a gentleman of + singular vivacity and activity, and indefatigable in his endeavors + to bring forward the cultivation of his lands; of great and + essential service, by his example, in the employment he finds for so + many persons, and in all his attempts to serve the interests of the + place where he dwells, and in his acts of private munificence, and + public generosity, and deserves great respect and esteem, not only + from individuals, but from the town and country he has so greatly + benefited, and especially by the ways in which he makes use of that + vast estate wherewith a kind Providence has blessed him." + +Such was the estate, and such the man who founded and enjoyed it sixty +years ago; and many an equal estate, founded and occupied by equally +valuable men, then existed, and still exist in all our older states; and +if our private and public virtues are preserved, will ever exist in +every state of our union. Such pictures, too, are forcible illustrations +of the _morals_ of correct building on the ample estates of many of our +American planters and farmers. The mansion house, which is so +graphically described, we saw but a short time before it was pulled +down--then old, and hardly worth repairing, being built of wood, and of +style something like this design of our own, bating the extent of +veranda. + +The cost of this house may be from $5000 to $8000, depending upon the +material of which it is constructed, the degree of finish given to it, +and the locality where it is built. All these circumstances are to be +considered, and the estimates should be made by practical and +experienced builders, who are competent judges in whatever appertains to +it. + + + + + [Illustration: FARM HOUSE. Pages 173-174.] + +DESIGN VII. + + +A PLANTATION HOUSE.--Another southern house is here presented, quite +different in architectural design from the last, plain, unpretending, +less ornate in its finish, as well as less expensive in construction. +It may occupy a different site, in a hilly, wooded country of rougher +surface, but equally becoming it, as the other would more fitly grace +the level prairie, or spreading plain in the more showy luxury of its +character. + +This house stands 46x44 feet on the ground, two stories high, with a +full length veranda, 10 feet wide in front, and a half length one above +it, connecting with the main roof by an open gable, under which is a +railed gallery for summer repose or recreation, or to enjoy the scenery +upon which it may open. The roof is broad and overhanging, thoroughly +sheltering the walls, and giving it a most protected, comfortable look. +Covering half the rear is a lean-to, with shed roof, 16 feet wide, +communicating with the servants' offices in the wing, the hall of which +opens upon a low veranda on its front, and leading to the minor +conveniences of the establishment. The main servants' building is 30x20 +feet, one and a half stories high, with a roof in keeping with the main +dwelling, and a chimney in the center. In rear of this is attached a +wood-house, with a shed roof, thus sloping off, and giving it a reposed, +quiet air from that point of view. A narrow porch, 23 feet long and 8 +feet wide, also shades the remaining rear part of the main dwelling, +opening on to the approach in rear. + + + [Illustration: GROUND PLAN.] + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +The front door opens into a hall 34 feet long and 10 feet wide, with a +flight of stairs. On the left of this opens a parlor or dining-room, +22x18 feet, lighted by two windows in front and one on the side, and +connecting with the dining-room beyond, which is 18x16 feet, with two +small dining closets between. The dining-room has two windows opening on +to the rear veranda. Under the cross flight of stairs in the hall, a +partition separates it from the rear hall, into which is a door. On the +right of the entrance hall is a library, 18x18 feet, lighted by three +windows. At the farther end is a closet, and by the side of it a small +entry leading into the nursery or family bedroom, 18x15 feet in size, +which also has a corresponding closet with the library. On the rear of +the nursery is a flight of back stairs opening from it. Under these +stairs, at the other end, a door opens to another flight leading into +the cellar below. A door also leads out from the nursery into the rear +passage, to the offices; another door on the further side of the room +opens into the rear hall of the house. The nursery should have two +windows, but the drawing, by an error, gives only one. From this rear +hall a door opens on the rear veranda, and another into the passage to +the rear offices. This passage is six feet wide and 34 feet long, +opening at its left end on to the veranda, and on the right, to the +servants' porch, and from its rear side into three small rooms, 10 feet +square each, the outer one of which may be a business room for the +proprietor of the estate; the next, a store-room for family supplies; +and the other a kitchen closet. Each of these is lighted by a window on +the rear. A door also leads from the rear passage into the kitchen, +20x16 feet in area, with a window looking out in front and two others on +the side and rear, and a door into the wood-house. In this is placed a +large chimney for the cooking establishment, oven, &c., &c. A flight of +stairs and partition divides this from the wash-room, which is 14x14 +feet, with two windows in the side, and a door into the wood-house. This +wood-house is open on two sides, and a water-closet is in the far +corner. The small veranda, which is six feet wide, fronting the kitchen +apartments, opens into the bath-room, 9x6 feet, into which the water is +drawn from the kitchen boilers in the adjoining chimney. Still beyond +this is the entrance to the water-closets, 6x5 feet. + + [Illustration: CHAMBER PLAN.] + +The chamber plan is simple, and will be readily comprehended. If more +rooms are desirable, they can be cut off from the larger ones. A flight +of garret stairs may also be put in the rear chamber hall. The main hall +of the chambers, in connection with the upper veranda, may be made a +delightful resort for the summer, where the leisure hours of the family +may be passed in view of the scenery which the house may command, and +thus made one of its most attractive features. + + +MISCELLANEOUS. + +We have given less veranda to this house than to the last, because its +style does not require it, and it is a cheaper and less pains-taking +establishment throughout, although, perhaps, quite as convenient in its +arrangement as the other. The veranda may, however, be continued round +the two ends of the house, if required. A screen, or belt of privet, +or low evergreens may be planted in a circular form from the front +right-hand corner of the dwelling, to the corresponding corner of the +rear offices, enclosing a clothes drying yard, and cutting them off from +too sightly an exposure from the lawn in front. The opposite end of the +house, which may be termed its _business_ front, may open to the +every-day approach to the house, and be treated as convenience may +determine. + +For the _tree_ decoration of this establishment, evergreens may come in +for a share of attraction. Their conical, tapering points will +correspond well with its general architecture, and add strikingly to its +effect; otherwise the remarks already given on the subject of park and +lawn plantation will suffice. As, however, in the position where this +establishment is supposed to be erected, land is plenty, ample area +should be appropriated to its convenience, and no pinched or +parsimonious spirit should detract from giving it the fullest effect in +an allowance of ground. Nor need the ground devoted to such purposes be +at all lost, or unappropriated; various uses can be made of it, yielding +both pleasure and profit, to which a future chapter will refer; and it +is one of the chief pleasures of retired residence to cultivate, in the +right place, such incidental objects of interest as tend to gratify, +as well as to instruct, in whatever appertains to the elevation of our +thoughts, and the improvement of our condition. All these, in their +place, should be drawn about our dwellings, to render them as agreeable +and attractive as our ingenuity and labor may command. + + + + +LAWNS, GROUNDS, PARKS, AND WOODS. + + +Having essayed to instruct our agricultural friends in the proper modes +of erecting their houses, and providing for their convenient +accommodation within them, a few remarks may be pardoned touching such +collateral subjects of embellishment as may be connected with the farm +residence in the way of plantations and grounds in their immediate +vicinity. + +We are well aware that small farms do not permit any considerable +appropriation of ground to _waste_ purposes, as such spots are usually +called which are occupied with wood, or the shade of open trees, near +the dwelling. But no dwelling can be complete in all its appointments +without trees in its immediate vicinity. This subject has perhaps been +sufficiently discussed in preceding chapters; yet, as a closing course +of remark upon what a farm house, greater or less in extent, should be +in the amount of shade given to it, a further suggestion or two may be +permitted. There are, in almost all places, in the vicinity of the +dwelling, portions of ground which can be appropriated to forest trees +without detriment to other economical uses, if applied in the proper +way. Any one who passes along a high road and discovers the farm house, +seated on the margin or in the immediate vicinity of a pleasant grove, +is immediately struck with the peculiarly rural and picturesque air +which it presents, and thinks to himself that he should love such a spot +for his own home, without reflecting that he might equally as well +create one of the same character. Sites already occupied, where +different dispositions are made of contiguous ground, may not admit of +like advantages; and such are to be continued in their present +arrangement, with such course of improvement as their circumstances will +admit. But to such as are about to _select_ the sites of their future +homes, it is important to study what can best embellish them in the most +effective shade and ornament. + +In the immediate vicinity of our large towns and cities it is seldom +possible to appropriate any considerable breadth of land to ornamental +purposes, excepting rough and unsightly waste ground, more or less +occupied with rock or swamp; or plainer tracts, so sterile as to be +comparatively worthless for cultivation. Such grounds, too, often lie +bare of wood, and require planting, and a course of years to cover them +with trees, even if the proprietor is willing, or desirous to devote +them to such purpose. Still, there are vast sections of our country +where to economize land is not important, and a mixed occupation of it +to both ornament and profit may be indulged to the extent of the owner's +disposition. All over the United States there are grand and beautiful +sweeps and belts of cultivated country, interspersed with finely-wooded +tracts, which offer the most attractive sites for the erection of +dwellings on the farms which embrace them, and that require only the eye +and hand of taste to convert them, with slight labor, into the +finest-wooded lawns and forested parks imaginable. No country whatever +produces finer trees than North America. The evergreens of the north +luxuriate in a grandeur scarcely known elsewhere, and shoot their cones +into the sky to an extent that the stripling pines and firs, and larches +of England in vain may strive to imitate. The elm of New England towers +up, and spreads out its sweeping arms with a majesty unwonted in the +ancient parks or forests of Europe; while its maples, and birches, and +beeches, and ashes, and oaks, and the great white-armed buttonwood, make +up a variety of intervening growth, luxuriant in the extreme. Pass on +through the Middle States, and into the far west, and there they still +flourish with additional kinds--the tulip and poplar--the nut-trees, +in all their wide variety, with a host of others equally grand and +imposing, interspersed; and shrub-trees innumerable, are seen every +where as they sweep along your path. Beyond the Alleghanies, and south +of the great lakes, are vast natural parks, many of them enclosed, and +dotted with herds of cattle ranging over them, which will show single +trees, and clumps of forest that William the Conqueror would have given +a whole fiefdom in his Hampshire spoliations to possess; while, +stretching away toward the Gulf of Mexico, new varieties of tree are +found, equally imposing, grand, and beautiful, throughout the whole vast +range, and in almost every locality, susceptible of the finest possible +appropriation to ornament and use. Many a one of these noble forests, +and open, natural parks have been appropriated already to embellish the +comfortable family establishment which has been built either on its +margin, or within it; and thousands more are standing, as yet +unimproved, but equally inviting the future occupant to their ample +protection. + +The moral influences, too, of lawns and parks around or in the vicinity +of our dwellings, are worthy of consideration. Secluded as many a +country dweller may be, away from the throng of society, there is a +sympathy in trees which invites our thoughts, and draws our presence +among them with unwonted interest, and in frequent cases, assist +materially in stamping the feelings and courses of our future +lives--always with pure and ennobling sentiments-- + + "The groves were God's first temples." + +The thoughtful man, as he passes under their sheltering boughs, in the +heat of summer, with uncovered brow, silently worships the Hand that +formed them there, scarcely conscious that their presence thus elevates +his mind to holy aspirations. Among them, the speculative man + + "Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, + Sermons in stones." + +Even children, born and educated among groves of trees, drink in early +impressions, which follow them for good all their days; and, when the +toils of their after life are passed, they love to return to these +grateful coverts, and spend their remaining days amid the tranquillity +of their presence. Men habituated to the wildest life, too, enjoy the +woods, the hills, and the mountains, beyond all the captivation and +excitement of society, and are nowhere at rest, but when in their +communion. + +The love of forest scenery is a thing to be cultivated as a high +accomplishment, in those whose early associations have not been among +them. Indeed, country life is tame, and intolerable, without a taste, +either natural or acquired, for fine landscape scenery; and in a land +like this, where the country gives occupation to so great a proportion +of its people, and a large share of those engaged in the active and +exciting pursuits of populous towns, sigh and look forward to its +enjoyment, every inducement should be offered to cultivate a taste for +those things which make one of its chief attractions. Nor should +seclusion from general society, and a residence apart from the bustling +activity of the world, present a bar to the due cultivation of the taste +in many subjects supposed to belong only to the throng of association. +It is one of the advantages of rural life, that it gives us time to +think; and the greatest minds of whose labors in the old world we have +had the benefit, and of later times, in our own land, have been reared +chiefly in the solitude of the country. Patrick Henry loved to range +among the woods, admiring the leafy magnificence of nature, and to +follow the meandering courses of the brooks, with his hook and line. +Washington, when treading the vast solitudes of central Virginia, with +his surveyor's instruments on his back, conceived the wonderful +resources of the great empire of which he will ever be styled the +"father." The dwelling of the late John C. Calhoun, sheltered by noble +trees, stands on an elevated swell of a grand range of mountain land, +and it was there that his prolific genius ripened for those burning +displays of thought which drew to him the affections of admiring +thousands. Henry Clay undoubtedly felt the germ of his future greatness +while sauntering, in his boyhood days, through the wild and picturesque +slashes of Hanover. Webster, born amid the rugged hills of New +Hampshire, drew the delightful relish of rural life, for which he is so +celebrated, from the landscapes which surrounded his early home, and +laid the foundation of his mighty intellect in the midst of lone and +striking scenery. Bryant could never have written his "Thanatopsis," his +"Rivulet," and his "Green River," but from the inspiration drawn from +his secluded youthful home in the mountains of Massachusetts. Nor, to +touch a more sacred subject, could Jonathan Edwards ever have composed +his masterly "Treatise on the Will," in a pent-up city; but owes his +enduring fame to the thought and leisure which he found, while +ministering, among the sublime mountains of the Housatonic, to a feeble +tribe of Stockbridge Indians. + +And these random names are but a few of those whose love of nature early +imbibed, and in later life enjoyed in their own calm and retired homes, +amid the serene beauty of woods and waters, which might be named, as +illustrations of the influence which fine scenery may exercise upon the +mind, to assist in moulding it to greatness. The following anecdote was +told us many years ago, by a venerable man in Connecticut, a friend of +the elder Hillhouse, of New Haven, to whom that city is much indebted +for the magnificent trees by which it has become renowned as "the City +of the Elms:" While a member of the General Assembly of that state, when +Hillhouse was in Congress, learning that he had just returned home from +the annual session, our informant, with a friend, went to the residence +of the statesman, to pay him a visit. He had returned only that morning, +and on their way there, they met him near his house, with a stout young +tree on his shoulder, just taken from a neighboring piece of forest, +which he was about to transplant in the place of one which had died +during his absence. After the usual salutations, our friend expressed +his surprise that he was so soon engaged in tree-planting, before he had +even had time to look to his private and more pressing affairs. "Another +day may be too late," replied the senator; "my tree well planted, it +will grow at its leisure, and I can then look to my own concerns at my +ease. So, gentlemen, if you will just wait till the tree is set, we'll +walk into the house, and settle the affairs of state in our own way." + +Walter Scott, whose deep love of park and forest scenery has stamped +with his masterly descriptions, his native land as the home of all +things beautiful and useful in trees and plantations, spent a great +share of his leisure time in planting, and has written a most +instructive essay on its practice and benefits. He puts into the mouth +of "the Laird of Dumbiedikes," the advice, "Be aye sticking in a tree, +Jock; it will be growing while you are sleeping." But Walter Scott had +no American soil to plant his trees upon; nor do the grandest forest +parks of Scotland show a tithe of the luxuriance and majesty of our +American forests. Could he but have seen the variety, the symmetry, and +the vast size of our oaks, and elms, and evergreens, a new element of +descriptive power would have grown out of the admiration they had +created within him; and he would have envied a people the possession of +such exhaustless resources as we enjoy, to embellish their homes in the +best imaginable manner, with such enduring monuments of grace and +beauty. + +To the miscellaneous, or casual reader, such course of remark may appear +merely sublimated nonsense. No matter; we are not upon stilts, talking +_down_ to a class of inferior men, in a condescending tone, on a subject +above their comprehension; but we are addressing men, and the sons of +men, who are our equals--although, like ourself, upon their farms, +taking their share in its daily toils, as well as pleasures--and can +perfectly well understand our language, and sympathize with our +thoughts. They are the thoughts of rural life everywhere. It was old Sam +Johnson, the great lexicographer, who lumbered his unwieldy gait through +the streets of cities for a whole life, and with all his vast learning +and wisdom, had no appreciation of the charms of the country, that said, +"Who feeds fat cattle should himself be fat;" as if the dweller on the +farm should not possess an idea above the brutes around him. We wonder +if he ever supposed a merchant should have any more brain than the +parcel that he handled, or the bale which he rolled, or directed others +to roll for him! But, loving the solitude of the farm, and finding a +thousand objects of interest and beauty scattered in profusion, where +those educated among artificial objects would see nothing beyond things, +to them, vulgar and common-place, in conversing with our rural friends +upon what concerns their daily comfort, and is to constitute the nursery +of those who succeed them, and on the influences which may, in a degree, +stamp their future character, we cannot forbear such suggestions, +connected with the family Home, as may induce them to cultivate all +those accessories around it, which may add to their pleasure and +contentment. We believe it was Keats, who said, + + "A thing of Beauty is a joy for ever." + +And the thought that such "beauty" has been of our own creation, or that +our own hands have assisted in its perpetuation, should certainly be a +deep "joy" of our life. + +We have remarked, that the farm house is the chief nursery on which our +broad country must rely for that healthy infusion of stamina and spirit +into those men who, under our institutions, guide its destiny and direct +its councils. They, in the great majority of their numbers, are natives +of the retired homestead. It is, therefore, of high consequence, that +good taste, intelligence, and correct judgment, should enter into all +that surrounds the birth-place, and early scenes of those who are to be +the future actors in the prominent walks of life, either in public or +private capacity; and as the love of trees is one of the leading +elements of enjoyment amid the outward scenes of country-life, we +commend most heartily all who dwell in the pure air and bright sunshine +of the open land to their study and cultivation. + +Every man who lives in the country, be he a practical farmer or not, +should _plant_ trees, more or less. The father of a family should plant, +for the benefit of his children, as well as for his own. The bachelor +and the childless man should plant, if for nothing more than to show +that he has left _some_ living thing to perpetuate his memory. Boys +should early be made planters. None but those who love trees, and plant +them, know the serene pleasure of watching their growth, and +anticipating their future beauty and grandeur; and no one can so +exquisitely enjoy their grateful shade, as he whose hand has planted and +cared for them. Planting, too, is a most agreeable pastime to a +reflecting mind. It may be ranked among the pleasures, instead of the +toils of life. We have always so found it. There is no pleasanter sight +of labor than to see a father, with his young lads about him, planting a +tree. It becomes a landmark of their industry and good taste; and no +thinking man passes a plantation of fine trees but inwardly blesses the +man, or the memory of the man who placed them there. + +Aside from all this, trees properly distributed, give a value to an +estate far beyond the cost of planting, and tending their growth, and +which no other equal amount of labor and expense upon it can confer. +Innumerable farms and places have been sold at high prices, over those +of perhaps greater producing value, merely for the trees which +embellished them. Thus, in a pecuniary light, to say nothing of the +pleasure and luxury they confer, trees are a source of profitable +investment. + +It is a happy feature in the improving rural character of our country, +that tree-planting and tree preservation for some years past have +attracted much more attention than formerly; and with this attention a +better taste is prevailing in their selection. We have gained but little +in the introduction of many of the foreign trees among us, for ornament. +Some of them are absolutely barbarous in comparison with our American +forest trees, and their cultivation is only a demonstration of the utter +want of good taste in those who apply them. + +For ordinary purposes, but few exotics should be tolerated; and those +chiefly in collections, as curiosities, or for arboretums--in which +latter the farmer cannot often indulge; and for all the main purposes of +shade, and use, and ornament, the trees of no country can equal our own. + +Varied as our country is, in soils and climates, no particular +directions can be given as to the individual varieties of tree which are +to be preferred for planting. Each locality has its own most appropriate +kinds, and he who is to plant, can best make the selections most fitted +to his use. Rapid-growing trees, when of fine symmetry, and free from +bad habits in throwing up suckers; not liable to the attacks of insects; +of early, dense, and long-continued foliage, are most to be commended; +while their opposites in character should be avoided in all well-kept +grounds. It requires, indeed, but a little thought and observation to +guide every one in the selection which he should make, to produce the +best effect of which the tree itself is capable. + +Giving the importance we have, to trees, and their planting, it may be +supposed that we should discuss their position in the grounds to which +they should be appropriated. But no specific directions can be given at +large. All this branch of the subject must be left to the locality, +position, and surface of the ground sought to be improved. A good tree +can scarcely stand in a wrong place, when not injurious to a building by +its too dense shade, or shutting out its light, or prospect. Still, the +proper disposition of trees is a _study_, and should be well considered +before they be planted. Bald, unsightly spots should be covered by them, +when not devoted to more useful objects of the farm, either in pasturage +or cultivation. A partial shading of the soil by trees may add to its +value for grazing purposes, like the woodland pastures of Kentucky, +where subject to extreme droughts, or a scorching sun. + +If the planter feels disposed to consult authorities, as to the best +disposition of his trees, works on Landscape Gardening may be studied; +but these can give only general hints, and the only true course is to +strive to make his grounds look as much like nature herself as +possible--for nature seldom makes mistakes in her designs. To conclude a +course of remark, which the plain farmer, cultivating his land for its +yearly profit alone, may consider as foreign to the subject of our work, +we would not recommend any one to plant trees who is not willing to +spend the necessary time to nurse and tend them afterward, till they are +out of harm's way, and well established in a vigorous growth. All this +must be taken into the account, for it is better to have even but a few +trees, and those what trees should be, than a whole forest of stinted +things, writhing and pining through a course of sickly existence. + +A chapter might also be written upon the proper mode of taking up and +planting trees, but as this would lead us to a subject more directly +belonging to another department, the proper authorities on that head +must be consulted. + + +FRUIT GARDEN--ORCHARDS. + +As the fruit garden and orchards are usually near appendages to the +dwelling and out-buildings, a few remarks as to their locality and +distribution may be appropriate. The first should _always_ be near the +house, both for convenience in gathering its fruits, and for its due +protection from the encroachments of those not entitled to its +treasures. It should, if possible, adjoin the kitchen garden, for +convenience of access; as fruit is, or should be, an important item in +the daily consumption of every family where it can be grown and +afforded. A sheltered spot, if to be had, should be devoted to this +object; or if not, its margin, on the exposed side, should be set with +the hardiest trees to which it is appropriated--as the apple. The fruit +garden, proper, may also contain the smaller fruits, as they are termed, +as the currant, gooseberry, raspberry, and whatever other shrub-fruits +are grown; while the quince, the peach, the apricot, nectarine, plum, +cherry, pear, and apple may, in the order they are named, stand in +succession behind them, the taller and more hardy growth of each +successive variety rising higher, and protecting its less hardy and +aspiring neighbor. The soil for all these varieties of tree is supposed +to be congenial, and our remarks will only be directed to their proper +distribution. + +The aspect for the fruit garden should, if possible, front the south, +south-east, or south-west, in a northerly climate. In the Middle and +Southern States the exposure is of less consequence. Currants, +gooseberries, raspberries, &c., should, for their most productive +bearing, and the highest quality of their fruits, be set at least four +feet apart, in the rows, and the rows six feet distant from each other, +that there may be abundant room to cultivate them with the plow, and +kept clean of weeds and grass. The quince, peach, apricot, nectarine, +and plum should be 16 feet apart each way. The pear, if on quince stock, +may be 12 feet apart, and if on its own stock, 20 to 24 feet; while the +apple should always be 30 to 36 feet apart, to let in the requisite +degree of sun and air to ripen as well as give growth, color, and flavor +to its fruit. The tendency of almost all planters of fruit trees is to +set them too close, and many otherwise fine fruit gardens are utterly +ruined by the compact manner in which they are planted. Trees are great +consumers of the atmosphere; every leaf is a lung, inhaling and +respiring the gases, and if sufficient breathing room be not allowed +them, the tree sickens, and pines for the want of it; therefore, every +fruit tree, and fruit-bearing shrub should be so placed that the summer +sun can shine on every part of its surface at some hour of the day. In +such position, the fruit will reach its maximum of flavor, size, and +perfection. + +The ground, too, should be rich; and, to have the greatest benefit of +the soil, no crops should be grown among the trees, after they have +arrived at their full maturity of bearing. Thus planted, and nursed, +with good selections of varieties, both the fruit garden and the orchard +become one of the most ornamental, as well as most profitable portions +of the farm. + +In point of position, as affecting the appearance of the homestead, the +fruit garden should stand on the _weather-side_ of the dwelling, so as, +although protected, in its several varieties, by itself, when not +altogether sheltered by some superior natural barrier, it should appear +to shelter both the dwelling and kitchen gardens, which adjoin them. + +As this is a subject intended to be but incidentally touched in these +pages, and only then as immediately connected in its general character +with the dwelling house and its attachments, we refrain from going into +any particulars of detail concerning it. It is also a subject to which +we are strongly attached, and gladly would we have a set chat with our +readers upon it; but as the discussion for so broad a field as we should +have to survey, would be in many points arbitrary, and unfitting to +local information as to varieties, and particular cultivation, we refer +the reader, with great pleasure, to the several treatises of Downing, +and Thomas, and Barry, on this interesting topic, with which the public +are fortunately in possession; observing, only, that there is no one +item of rural economy to which our attention can be given, which yields +more of luxury, health, and true enjoyment, both to the body and the +mind, than the cultivation of good fruits. + + +HOW TO LAY OUT A KITCHEN GARDEN. + +The kitchen garden yields more necessaries and comforts to the family, +than any other piece of ground on the premises. It is, of consequence, +necessary that it be so located and planned as to be ready of access, +and yield the greatest possible quantity of products for the labor +bestowed upon it; and as locality and plan have much to do with the +labor bestowed upon it and the productions it may yield, both these +subjects should be considered. + +As to locality, the kitchen garden should lie in the _warmest_ and _most +sheltered_ spot which may be convenient to the _kitchen_ of the house. +It should, in connection with that, be convenient of access to the +dung-yards of the stables. The size may be such as your necessities or +your convenience may demand. The shape, either a parallelogram or a +square; for it will be recollected, that this is a place allotted, not +for a _show_ or _pleasure_ ground, but for _profit_. If the garden be +large, this shape will better allow the use of the plow to turn up the +soil, which, in a large garden, is a much cheaper, and, when properly +done, a better mode than to spade it; and if small, and it be worked +with the spade, _right_ lines are easier made with the spade than curved +ones. One or more walks, at least eight feet wide, should be made, +leading from a broad gate, or bars, through which a cart and horse, or +oxen, may enter, to draw in manure, or carry out the vegetables; and if +such walk, or walks, do not extend around the garden, which, if in a +large one, they should do, a sufficient area should be thrown out at the +farther extremity, to turn the cart upon. If the soil be free, and +stony, the stones should be taken out _clean_, when large--and if small, +down to the size of a hen's egg--and the surface made as level as +possible, for a loose soil will need no draining. If the soil be a clay, +or clayey loam, it should be underdrained two and a half feet, _to be +perfect_, and the draining so planned as to lead off to a lower spot +outside. This draining _warms_ the soil, opens it for filtration, and +makes it friable. Then, properly fenced, thoroughly manured, and plowed +deep, and left rough--no matter how rough--in the fall of the year, and +as late before the setting in of winter as you dare risk it, that part +of the preparation is accomplished. + +The _permanent_ or wide walks of the garden, after being laid out and +graded, should never be plowed nor disturbed, except by the hoe and +rake, to keep down the weeds and grass; yet, if a close, and well-shorn +grass turf be kept upon them, it is perhaps the cheapest and most +cleanly way of keeping the walks. They need only cutting off close with +the hand-hook, in summer. + +We have known a great many people, after laying out a kitchen garden, +and preparing it for use, fill it up with fruit trees, supposing that +vegetables will grow quite as well with them as without. This is a wide +mistake. _No tree larger than a currant or gooseberry bush should ever +stand in a vegetable garden._ These fruits being partially used in the +cooking department, as much in the way of vegetables, as of fruits, and +small in size, may be permitted; and they, contrary to the usual +practice, should always stand in _open_ ground, where they can have all +the benefits of the sun and rain to ripen the fruit to perfection, as +well as to receive the cultivation they need, instead of being placed +under fences around the sides of the garden, where they are too +frequently neglected, and become the resort of vermin, or make prolific +harbors for weeds. + +Along the main walks, or alleys, the borders for perennial plants, as +well as the currant and gooseberry bushes, should be made--for the plow +should run parallel to, and not at right angles with them. Here may +stand the rhubarbs, the sea kales, the various herbs, or even the +asparagus beds, if a particular quarter be not set apart for them; and, +if it be important, a portion of these main borders may be appropriated +to the more common flowers and small shrubbery, if desired to cultivate +them in a plain way; but not a peach, apricot, or any other larger tree +than a currant or raspberry, should come within it. They not only shade +the small plants, but suck up and rob them of their food and moisture, +and keep off the sun, and prevent the circulation of air--than which +nothing needs all these more than garden vegetables, to have them in +high perfection. If it be necessary, by means of a cold exposure on the +one side, to have a close plantation of shrubbery to screen the garden, +let it be _outside_ the fence, rather than within it; but if within, let +there be a _broad_ walk between such shrubbery and the garden beds, as +their roots will extend under the vegetables, and rob them of their +food. + +A walk, alley, or cartway, on the sides of the garden, is always better +_next to the fence_, than to fill that space with anything else, as it +is usually shaded for a portion of the day, and may be better afforded +for such _waste_ purposes than the open, sunny ground within. + +It will be observed that _market gardeners_, men who always strive to +make the most profit from their land and labor, and obtain the _best_ +vegetables, cultivate them in open fields. Not a tree, nor even a bush +is permitted to stand near the growing crop, if they can prevent it; and +where one is not stinted in the area of his domain, their example should +be followed. + +A word upon _plowing_ gardens. Clays, or clayey loams, should always be +manured and plowed in the fall, just before the setting in of the winter +frosts. A world of pounding and hammering of lumps, to make them fine, +in spring, is saved by fall plowing, besides incorporating the manure +more thoroughly with the soil, as well as freezing out and destroying +the eggs of worms and insects which infest it. Thrown up deeply and +roughly with the plow or spade, the frosts act mechanically upon the +soil, and slack and pulverise it so thoroughly that a heavy raking in +early spring, is all that becomes necessary to put it in the finest +condition for seeds, and make it perhaps the very best and most +productive of all garden soils whatever. A light sandy loam is better to +lie compact in winter, and manured and turned up in early spring. Its +friable nature leaves it always open and light, and at all times in the +absence of frost, accessible to the spade or the hoe. On these accounts, +it is usually the most desirable and convenient soil for the kitchen +garden, and on the whole, generally preferred where either kind may be a +matter simply of choice. + + +FLOWERS. + +Start not, gentle reader! We are not about to inflict upon you a +dissertation on Pelargoniums, Calla-Ethiopias, Japonicas, and such like +unmentionable terms, that bring to your mind the green-house, and +forcing-house, and all the train of expense and vexation attending them; +but we desire to have a short familiar conversation about what is all +around you, or if not around you, should be, and kept there, with very +little pains or labor on your part. Still, if you dislike the subject, +just hand this part of our book over to your excellent wife, or +daughters, or sisters, as the case may be, and we will talk to them +about this matter. + +Flowers have their objects, and were made for our use and pleasure; +otherwise, God would never have strewed them, as he has, so bountifully +along our paths, and filled the world with their fragrance and beauty. +Like all else beautiful, which He made, and pronounced "good," flowers +have been objects of admiration and love since man's creation; and their +cultivation has ever been a type of civilization and refinement among +all people who have left written records behind them. Flowers equally +become the cottage and the palace, in their decoration. The humblest +cottager, and the mightiest monarch, have equally admired their beauty +and their odor; and the whole train of mortals between, have devoted a +portion of their time and thoughts to the development of their peculiar +properties. + +But let that pass. Plain country people as we are, there are enough of +sufficient variety all around us, to engage our attention, and give us +all that we desire to embellish our homes, and engage the time which we +have to devote to them. Among the wild flowers, in the mountains and +hills of the farthest North, on the margin of their hidden brooks, where + + "Floats the scarce-rooted watercress;" + +and on their barren sides, the tiny violet and the laurel bloom, each in +their season, with unwonted beauty; and, sloping down on to the plains +beneath, blush out in all their summer garniture, the wild rose and the +honeysuckle. On, through the Middle States, the lesser flowers of early +spring throw out a thousand brilliant dyes, and are surrounded by a host +of summer plants, vieing with each other in the exuberance of their +tints. On the Alleghanies, through all their vast range, grow up the +magnificent dogwood, kalmia, and rhododendron, spangling mile upon +mile of their huge sides and tops with white, and covering crags and +precipices of untold space with their blushing splendor. Further west, +on the prairies, and oak openings, and in the deep woods, too, of the +great lakes, and of the Mississippi valley, with the earliest grass, +shoot up, all over the land, a succession of flowers, which in variety +and profusion of shape, and color, and odor, outvie all the lilies of +the gardens of Solomon; and so they continue till the autumnal frosts +cut down both grass and flower alike. Further south, along the piney +coast, back through the hills and over the vast reach of cotton and +sugar lands, another class of flowers burst out from their natural +coverts in equal glory; and the magnolia, and the tulip-tree, and the +wild orange throw a perfume along the air, like the odors of Palestine. +In the deep lagoons of the southern rivers, too, float immense +water-lilies, laying their great broad leaves, and expanded white and +yellow flowers, upon the surface, which the waters of the Nile in the +days of Cleopatra never equaled. And these are nature's wild productions +only. + +Flowers being cultivated, not for profit, but for show and amusement, +need not intrude upon the time which is required to the more important +labors of the farm. A little time, given at such hours when it can be +best spared, will set all the little flower-beds in order, and keep the +required shrubbery of the place in trim--and should not be denied in any +family who enjoy a taste for them. Even the simplest of their kind, when +carefully disposed, produce a fine effect; and the hardy bulbous, and +tuberous-rooted plants require but slight aid in producing the highest +perfection of their bloom; while the fibrous-rooted perennials, and the +flowering shrubs, bloom on from year to year, almost uncared for and +untouched. + +The annuals require the most attention. Their seeds must be planted and +gathered every year; they must be weeded and nursed with more care than +the others; yet they richly repay all this trouble in their fresh bloom +when the others are gone, and will carry their rich flowers far into the +frosts of autumn, when their hardier companions have composed themselves +for a winter's rest. + +The position of the flower-bed, or borders, may be various. As a matter +of taste, however, they should be near the house, and in view of the +windows of the most frequented rooms. They thus give more enjoyment in +their sight, than when but occasionally seen in special visits; and such +spots can usually be set apart for them. If not in the way of more +important things, they should always be thus placed, where they are ever +objects of interest and attraction. + +The ground which flowering plants occupy should be devoted to them +alone, and the soil be made deep and rich. They should not be huddled +up, nor crowded, but stand well apart, and have plenty of breathing-room +for their branches and leaves, and space for the spread of their roots. +They are consumers of the fertilizing gases, and require, equally with +other plants, their due supply of manures--which also adds to the +brilliance and size of their bloom, as well as to the growth of their +stems. Their roots should be protected in winter by coarse litter thrown +over them, particularly the earlier flowering plants, as it gives them +an early and rapid start in the spring. + +In variety, we need scarcely recommend what may be most desirable. The +crocus, and snowdrop are among (if not quite) the earliest in bloom; and +to these follow the hyacinth, and daffodil, the jonquil, and many-varied +family of Narcissus, the low-headed hearts-ease, or pansy; with them, +too, comes the flowering-almond, the lilac, and another or two flowering +shrubs. Then follow the tulips, in all their gorgeous and splendid +variety of single, double, and fringed. To these follow the great +peonies, in their full, dashing colors of crimson, white and pink, and +the tree-like snow-ball, or guelder-rose. By the side of these hangs out +the monthly-trumpet-honeysuckle, gracing the columns of your veranda, +porch, or window, and the large Siberian honeysuckle, with its white and +pink flowers; and along with them, the various Iris family, or +fleur-de-lis, reminding one of France and the Bourbons, the Prussian +lilac, and the early phloxes. Then blush out, in all their endless +variety of shade and tint, from the purest white to the deepest purple, +the whole vast family of roses; and in stature, from the humblest twig +that leans its frail stem upon the ground, up to the hardy climber, +whose delicious clusters hang over your chamber window; and a month of +fragrance and beauty of these completes the succession of bulbs, and +tubers, and perennial plants and shrubs--scores of which have not been +noticed. + +Now commence the annuals, which may carry you a month further into the +season, when the flaunting dahlia of every hue, and budding from its +plant of every size, from the height of little Tommy, who is just +toddling out with his mother to watch the first opening flower, up to +the top of his father's hat, as he stands quite six feet, to hold the +little fellow up to try to smell of another, which, like all the rest, +has no sign of odor. Then come, after a long retinue of different +things--among which we always count the morning-glory, or convolvulus, +running up the kitchen windows,--the great sun-flower, which throws his +broad disk high over the garden fence, always cheerful, and always +glowing--the brilliant tribe of asters, rich, varied, and beautiful, +running far into the autumnal frosts; and, to close our floral season, +the chrysanthemum, which, well cared-for, blooms out in the open air, +and, carefully taken up and boxed, will stay with us, in the house, till +Christmas. Thus ends the blooming year. Now, if you would enjoy a +pleasure perfectly pure, which has no alloy, save an occasional +disappointment by casualty, and make home interesting beyond all other +places, learn first to love, then to get, and next to cultivate flowers. + + + + +FARM COTTAGES. + + +Altogether too little attention has been paid in our country to these +most useful appendages to the farm, both in their construction and +appearance. Nothing adds more to the feeling of comfort, convenience, +and _home_ expression in the farm, than the snug-built laborers' cottage +upon it. The cottage also gives the farm an air of respectability and +dignity. The laborer should, if not so sumptuously, be as comfortably +housed and sheltered as his employer. This is quite as much to the +interest of such employer as it is beneficial to the health and +happiness of the laborer. Building is so cheap in America, that the +difference in cost between a snugly-finished cottage, and a rickety, +open tenement, is hardly to be taken into consideration, as compared +with the higher health, and increased enjoyment of the laborer and his +family; while every considerate employer knows that cheerfulness and +contentment of disposition, which are perhaps more promoted by good home +accommodations for the workingman than by any other influence, are +strong incentives to increased labor on his part, and more fidelity in +its application. + +A landed estate, of whatever extent, with its respectable farm house, +in its own expressive style of construction, relieved and set off by its +attendant cottages, either contiguous, or remote, and built in their +proper character, leaves nothing wanting to fill the picture upon which +one loves to gaze in the contemplation of country life; and without +these last in due keeping with the chief structures of the estate, a +blank is left in its completeness and finish. The little embellishments +which may be given, by way of architectural arrangement, or the +conveniences in accommodation, are, in almost all cases, appreciated by +those who occupy them, and have an influence upon their character and +conduct; while the trifling decorations which may be added in the way of +shrubbery, trees, and flowering plants, costing little or nothing in +their planting and keeping, give a charm to the humblest abode. + +The position of cottages on a farm should be controlled by +considerations of convenience to the place of labor, and a proper +economy in their construction; and hardly a site can be inappropriate +which ensures these requirements. In the plans which are submitted, due +attention has been paid to the comfort of those who inhabit them, as +well as to picturesque effect in the cottage itself. Decency, order, and +respectability are thus given to the estate, and to those who inhabit +the cottages upon it, as well as to those whose more fortunate position +in life has given the enjoyment of a higher luxury in the occupancy of +its chief mansion. + +On all estates where the principal dwelling is located at any +considerable distance from the public road, or where approached by a +side road shut off from the highway by a gate, a small cottage, by way +of lodge, or laborer's tenement, should be located at or near the +entrance. Such appendage is not only ornamental in itself, but gives +character to the place, and security to the enclosure; in guarding it +from improper intrusion, as well as to receive and conduct into the +premises those who either reside upon, or have business within it. It is +thus a sort of sentry-box, as well as a laborer's residence. + + + + + [Illustration: COTTAGE. Pages 211-212.] + +DESIGN I. + + +This cottage is 10 feet high, from the sill to the plates, and may be +built of wood, with a slight frame composed of sills and plates only, +and planked up and down (vertically) and battened; or grooved and +tongued, and matched close together; or it may be framed throughout with +posts and studs, and covered with rough boards, and over these +clapboards, and lathed and plastered inside. The first mode would be the +cheapest, although not so warm and durable as the other, yet quite +comfortable when warmed by a stove. On the second plan of building, +it will cost near or quite double the amount of the first, if neatly +painted. A small brick chimney should rest upon the floor overhead, in +the side of which, at least a foot above the chamber floor, should be +inserted an earthen or iron thimble, to receive the stovepipe and guard +against fire; unless a flat stone, 14 to 16 inches square, and 2 to 4 +inches thick, with a pipe-hole--which is the better plan--should rest on +the floor immediately over the pipe. This stone should be, also, the +foundation of the chimney, which should pass immediately up through the +ridge of the roof, and, for effect, in the center longitudinally, of the +house. Such position will not interfere with the location of the stove, +which may be placed in any part of the room, the pipe reaching the +chimney by one or more elbows. + + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +The main body of this cottage is 18x12 feet, with a lean-to, 8 feet +wide, running its whole length in rear. This lean-to may be 8 or 9 +inches lower, on the floor, than the main room, and divided into a +passage, (leading to an open wood-house in rear, 10x12 feet, with a shed +roof,) a large closet, and a bedroom, as may be required; or, the +passage end may be left open at the side, for a wood shelter, or other +useful purpose. The roof, which is raftered, boarded, and shingled in +the usual mode, is well spread over the gables, as well as over the +front and rear--say 18 inches. The porch in front will give additional +convenience in summer, as a place to sit, or eat under, and its posts so +fitted with grooves as to let in rough planks for winter enclosure in +front and at one end, leaving the entrance only, at the least windy, or +stormy side. The extra cost of such preparation, with the planks, which +should be 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 inches thick, and jointed, would not exceed ten +or fifteen dollars. This would make an admirable wood-house for the +winter, and a perfect snuggery for a small family. While in its summer +dress, with the porch opened--the planks taken out and laid overhead, +across the beams connecting the porch with the house--it would present +an object of quiet comfort and beauty. A hop vine or honeysuckle might +be trained outside the posts, and give it all the shade required. + +In a stony country, where the adjoining enclosures are of stone, this +cottage may be built of stone, also, at about double the cost of wood. +This would save the expense of paint, or wash of any kind, besides the +greater character of durability and substance it would add to the +establishment. Trees, of course, should shelter it; and any little +out-buildings that may be required should be nestled under a screen of +vines and shrubbery near by. + +This being designed as the humblest and cheapest kind of cottage, where +the family occupy only a single room, the cost would be small. On the +plan first named, stained with a coarse wash, it could be built for +$100. On the second plan, well-framed of sills, plates, posts, studs, +&c. &c., covered with vertical boarding and battens, or clapboarded, and +well painted in oil, it might cost $150 to $200. Stone, or brick, +without paint, would add but little, if anything in cost over the last +sum. The ceiling of the main floor is 8 feet high, and a low chamber or +garret is afforded above it, into which a swing-step ladder ascends; and +when not in use, it may be hung to the ceiling overhead by a common hook +and staples. + + + + +DESIGN II. + + +This cottage is a grade beyond the one just described, both in +appearance and accommodation. It is 20x16 feet on the ground, with a +rear wing 26x8 feet in area. The main body is 10 feet high, to the roof, +vertically boarded and battened. A snug, half-open (or it may be closed, +as convenience may require,) porch shelters the front door, 5x4 feet in +area. The cottage has a square or hipped roof, of a 30deg pitch from a +horizontal line, which spreads full two feet over the walls and +bracketed beneath. The rear wing retreats two feet from the wall line of +the main building, and has also a hipped roof of the same pitch as the +main one, with eight-feet posts. The open end of the wing advances 6 +feet toward the front of the main part for wood-house and storage. The +construction of this is in the same style as Design I. The windows are +plain, two-sashed, of six lights each, 8x12 glass in front, and 8x10 in +the rear. + + [Illustration: COTTAGE. Pages 217-218.] + + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +The front door opens into a common living room, 16x12 feet, with two +windows, in which is a stove-chimney running up from the main floor next +the partition, or placed over it in the chamber, and running up through +the center of the roof. On one side of the living room is a bedroom, +10x8 feet, with two windows. Next to this bedroom is a large closet, 8x6 +feet, with one window, and shelves, and tight cupboard within. These +rooms are 9 feet high, and over them is a chamber, or garret, 20x16 +feet, entered by a swing step ladder, as in Design No. I. This garret is +lighted by a small dormer window in the rear roof, over the shed or +lean-to. A bed may be located in this chamber, or it may serve as a +storage and lumber-room. + +The wing contains a small kitchen, in case the living room be not +occupied for that purpose, 10x8 feet, lighted by a side-window, and +having a small chimney in the rear wall. It may contain, also, a small +closet, 3 feet square. A door passes from this small kitchen into the +wood-house, which is 16x8 feet, or with its advance L, 14 feet, in the +extreme outer corner of which is a water-closet, 5x3 feet; thus, +altogether, giving accommodation to a family of five or six persons. + +The construction of this cottage is shown as of wood. Other material, +either brick or stone, may be used, as most convenient, at a not much +increased cost. The expense of this building may be, say fifty per cent. +higher than that of No. I, according to the finish, and may be +sufficiently well done and painted complete for $300; which may be +reduced or increased, according to the style of finish and the taste of +the builder. + +A cellar may be made under this cottage, which can be reached by a +trap-door from the living room, opening to a flight of steps below. + + + + +DESIGN III. + + +This cottage is still in advance of No. II, in style and arrangement, +and may accommodate not only the farm laborer or gardener, but will +serve for a small farmer himself, or a village mechanic. It is in the +French style of roof, and allied to the Italian in its brackets, and +gables, and half-terraced front. The body of the cottage is 22x20 feet, +with twelve-feet posts; the roof has a pitch of 50deg from a horizontal +line, in its straight dimensions, curving horizontally toward the eaves, +which, together with the gables, project 3 feet over the walls. The +terrace in front is 5 feet wide. On the rear is a wood-house, 18x16 feet +in area, open at the house end, and in front, with a roof in same style +as the main house, and posts, 8 feet high, standing on the ground, +2 feet below the surface of the cellar wall, which supports the main +building. + + [Illustration: COTTAGE. Pages 221-222.] + + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +The front door opens, in the center of the front wall, into a hall, 12x8 +feet, with a flight of stairs on one side, leading to the chamber above; +under the stairs, at the upper end, is a passage leading beneath them +into the cellar. On one side of this hall is a bedroom 8x10 feet, +lighted by a window in front, and part of the hooded double window on +the side. On the inner side, a door leads from the hall into the living +room or kitchen, 18x12 feet. On one side of this is a bedroom, or +pantry, as may be most desirable, 9x6 feet, from which leads a close +closet, 3 feet square. This bedroom has a window on one side, next the +hall. A door from the kitchen leads into a closet, 3 feet wide, which +may contain a sink, and cupboard for kitchen wares. The living room is +lighted by a part of the double hooded window on one side, and another +on the rear. A door leads into the wood-house, which is 12x16 feet, in +the extreme corner of which is the water-closet, 5x3 feet. The rooms in +this cottage are 9 feet high. A chimney leads up from the floor of the +living room, which may receive, in addition to its own fireplace, or +stove, a pipe from the stove in the hall, if one is placed there. + +The chamber has two feet of perpendicular wall, and the sharp roof gives +opportunity for two good lodging rooms, which may be partitioned off as +convenience may require, each lighted by a window in the gables, and a +dormer one in the roof, for the passage leading into them. + +The hall may serve as a pleasant sitting or dining-room, in pleasant +weather, opening, as it does, on to the terrace, which is mostly +sheltered by the overhanging roof. + +The construction of this cottage may be of either stone, brick, or wood, +and produce a fine effect. Although it has neither porch, nor veranda, +the broad eaves and gables give it a well-sheltered appearance, and the +hooded windows on the sides throw an air of protection over them, quite +agreeable to the eye. The framing of this roof is no way different, +in the rafters, from those made on straight lines, but the curve and +projection is given by planks cut into proper shape, and spiked into the +rafters, and apparently supported by the brackets below, which should be +cut from two to three-inch plank, to give them a heavy and substantial +appearance. The windows are in casement form, as shown in the design, +but may be changed into the ordinary sash form, if preferred, which is, +in this country, usually the better way. It will be observed, that we +have in all cases adopted the usual square-sided form of glass for +windows, as altogether more convenient and economical in building, +simple in repairing, and, we think, quite as agreeable in appearance, +as those out-of-the-way shapes frequently adopted to give a more +picturesque effect. + +In a hilly, mountainous, and evergreen country, this style of cottage is +peculiarly appropriate. It takes additional character from bold and +picturesque scenery, with which it is in harmony. The pine, spruce, +cedar, or hemlock, or the evergreen laurel, planted around or near it, +will give it increased effect, while among deciduous trees and shrubs, +an occasional Lombardy poplar, and larch, will harmonize with the +boldness of its outline. Even where hill or mountain scenery is wanting, +plantations such as have been named, would render it a pleasing style of +cottage, and give agreeable effect to its bold, sharp roof and +projecting eaves. + +In a snowy country, the plan of roof here presented is well adapted to +the shedding of heavy snows, on which it can find no protracted +lodgment. Where massive stone walls enclose the estate, this style of +cottage will be in character, as comporting with that strong and solid +air which the rustic appearance of stone alone can give. It may, too, +receive the same amount of outer decoration, in its shrubbery and +plantations, given to any other style of building of like accommodation, +and with an equally agreeable effect. + + + + +DESIGN IV. + + +This cottage is still in advance of the last, in its accommodation, and +is suitable for the small farmer, or the more liberal cottager, who +requires wider room, and ampler conveniences than are allowed by the +hitherto described structures. It is a first class dwelling, of its +kind, and, in its details and finish, may be adapted to a variety of +occupation, while it will afford a sufficient amount of expenditure to +gratify a liberal outlay, to him who chooses to indulge his taste in a +moderate extent of decoration and embellishment. + +The ground plan of this cottage is 30x22 feet, in light rural-Gothic +style, one and a half stories high, the posts 14 feet in elevation. +It has two chimneys, passing out through the roof on each side of the +ridge, uniformly, each with the other. The roof has a pitch of 45deg +from a horizontal line, giving it a bold and rather dashing appearance, +and deeply sheltering the walls. The side gables give variety to the +roof, and light to the chambers, and add to the finish of its +appearance; while the sharp arched double window in the front gable adds +character to the design. + + [Illustration: COTTAGE. Pages 227-228.] + +The deep veranda in front covers three-quarters of its surface in +length, and in the symmetry of its roof, and airiness of its columns, +with their light braces, give it a style of completeness; and if +creeping vines or climbing shrubs be trained upon them, will produce an +effect altogether rural and beautiful. + +Or, if a rustic style of finish be adopted, to render it cheaper in +construction, the effect may still be imposing, and in harmony with the +purposes to which it is designed. In fact, this model will admit of a +variety of choice in finish, from the plainest to a high degree of +embellishment, as the ability or fancy of the builder may suggest. + + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +From the veranda in the center of the front, a door opens into a hall, +17x7 feet, with a flight of stairs leading, in three different angles, +to the chambers above. Opposite the front door is the passage into the +living room, or parlor, 17x15 feet, lighted by three windows, two of +which present an agreeable view of an adjacent stream and its opposite +shores. At the line of partition from the hall, stands a chimney, with a +fireplace, if desirable, or for a stove, to accommodate both this room +and the hall with a like convenience; and under the flight of stairs +adjoining opens a china closet, with spacious shelves, for the +safe-keeping of household comforts. From this room, a door leads into a +bedroom, 10x13 feet, lighted by a window opening into the veranda, also +accommodated by a stove, which leads into a chimney at its inner +partition. Next to this bedroom is the kitchen, 12x13 feet, accommodated +with a chimney, where may be inserted an open fireplace, or a stove, as +required. In this is a flight of back chamber and cellar stairs. This +room is lighted by two windows--one in the side, another in the rear. +A door leads from its rear into a large, roomy pantry, 8 feet square, +situated in the wing, and lighted by a window. Next to this is a +passage, 3 feet in width, leading to the wood-house, (in which the +pantry just named is included,) 16x12 feet, with nine-feet posts, and +roof pitched like the house, in the extreme corner of which is a +water-closet, 5x3 feet. Cornering upon the wood-house beyond, is a small +building, 15x12 feet, with ten-feet posts, and a roof in same style as +the others--with convenience for a cow and a pig, with each a separate +entrance. A flight of stairs leads to the hay-loft above the stables, in +the gable of which is the hay-door; and under the stairs is the granary; +and to these may be added, inside, a small accommodation for a choice +stock of poultry. + +The chamber plan is the same as the lower floor, mainly, giving three +good sleeping-rooms; that over the kitchen, being a _back_ chamber, need +not have a separate passage into the upper hall, but may have a door +passage into the principal chamber. The door to the front bedroom leads +direct from the upper hall. Thus, accommodation is given to quite a +numerous family. Closets may be placed in each of these chambers, +if wanted; and the entire establishment made a most snug and compact, +as well as commodious arrangement. + + + + +COTTAGE OUTSIDE DECORATION. + + +Nothing so perfectly sets off a cottage, in external appearance, as the +presence of plants and shrubbery around it. A large tree or two, by +giving an air of protection, is always in place; and creeping vines, and +climbing shrubs about the windows and porch, are in true character; +while a few low-headed trees, of various kinds, together with some +simple and hardy annual and other flowers--to which should always be +added, near by, a small, well-tended kitchen garden--fill up the +picture. + +In the choice of what varieties should compose these ornaments, one can +hardly be at a loss. Flanking the cottage, and near the kitchen garden, +should be the fruit trees. The elm, maples, oak, and hickory, in all +their varieties, black-walnut, butternut--the last all the better for +its rich kernel--are every one appropriate for shade, as _large_ trees. +The hop, morning-glory, running beans--all useful and ornamental as +summer climbers; the clematis, bitter-sweet, ivy, any of the _climbing_ +roses; the lilac, syringa, snow-ball, and the _standard_ roses; while +marigolds, asters, pinks, the phloxes, peonies, and a few other of the +thousand-and-one simple and charming annuals, biennials, and perennials, +with now and then a gorgeous sunflower, flaunting in its broad glory, +will fill up the catalogue. Rare and costly plants are not required, and +indeed, are hardly in place in the grounds of an ordinary cottage, +unless occupied by the professional gardener. They denote expense, which +the laboring cottager cannot afford; and besides that, they detract from +the simplicity of the life and purpose which not only the cottage +itself, but everything around it, should express. + +There is an affectation of _cottage_ building, with some people who, +with a seeming humility, really aim at higher flights of style in living +within them, than truth of either design or purpose will admit. But as +such cases are more among villagers, and those temporarily retiring from +the city for summer residence, the farm cottage has little to do with +it. Still, such fancies are contagious, and we have occasionally seen +the ambitious cottage, with its covert expression of humility, +insinuating itself on to the farm, and for the farmer's own family +occupation, too, which at once spoiled, to the eye, the _substantial +reality_ of the whole establishment. A farmer should discard all such +things as _ornamental_ cottages. They do not belong to the farm. If he +live in a cottage himself, it should be a _plain_ one; yet it may be +very substantial and well finished--something showing that he means +either to be content in it, in its character of plainness, or that he +intends, at a future day, to build something better--when this may serve +for the habitation of one of his laborers. + +The cottage should never occupy a principal, or prominent site on the +farm. It should take a subordinate position of ground. This adds to its +expression as subordinate in rank, among the lesser farm buildings. A +cottage cannot, and should not aspire to be _chief_ in either position +or character. Such should be the farm house proper; although +unpretending, still, in style, above the cottage; and if the latter, +in addition, be required on the farm, it should so appear, both in +construction and finish; just what it is intended for--a tenement for +economical purposes. + +There is another kind of cottage, the dwellers in which, these pages +will probably never reach, that expresses, in its wild structure, and +rude locality, the idea of Moore's pretty song-- + + "I knew by the smoke that so gracefully curled + Above the green elms, that a cottage was near." + +Yet, in some parts of our country, landlords may build such, for the +accommodation of tenants, which they may make useful on the outskirts of +their estates, and add indirectly to their own convenience and interest +in so doing. This may be indulged in, _poetically_ too--for almost any +thinking man has a spice of poetry in his composition--vagabondism, +a strict, economizing utilitarian would call it. The name matters not. +One may as well indulge his taste in this cheap sort of charitable +expenditure, as another may indulge, in his dogs, and guns, his horses +and equipages--and the first is far the cheapest. They, at the west and +south, understand this, whose recreations are occasionally with their +hounds, in chase of the deer, and the fox, and in their pursuit spend +weeks of the fall and winter months, in which they are accompanied, and +assisted, as boon companions for the time, by the rude tenants of the +cottages we have described: + + "A cheerful, simple, honest people." + +Another class of cottage may come within the farm enclosures, half +poetical, and half economical, such as Milton describes: + + "Hard by a cottage chimney smokes, + From betwixt two aged oaks;" + +and occupied by a family pensioner and his infirm old wife--we don't +think _all_ "poor old folks" ought to go to the alms-house, because they +cannot work _every_ day of the year--of which all long-settled families +of good estate have, now and then, one near to, or upon their premises. +Thousands of kind and liberal hearts among our farming and planting +brethren, whose impulses are-- + + "Open as the day to melting charity," + +are familiar with the wants of those who are thus made their dependents; +and in their accommodation, an eye may be kept to the producing of an +agreeable effect in locating their habitations, and to rudely embellish, +rather than to mar the domain on which they may be lodged. + +In short, cottage architecture, in its proper character, may be made as +effective, in all the ornament which it should give to the farm, as that +of any other structure; and if those who have occasion for the cottage +will only be content to build and maintain it as it should be, and leave +off that perpetual aspiration after something unnatural, and foreign to +its purpose, which so many cottage builders of the day attempt, and let +it stand in its own humble, secluded character, they will save +themselves a world of trouble, and pass for--what they now do not--men +possessing a taste for truth and propriety in their endeavors. + + +HOUSE AND COTTAGE FURNITURE. + +This is a subject so thoroughly discussed in the books, of late, that +anything which may here be said, would avail but little, inasmuch as our +opinions might be looked upon as "old-fashioned," "out of date," and "of +no account whatever,"--for wonderfully modern notions in room-furnishing +have crept into the farm house, as well as into town houses. Indeed, we +confess to altogether ancient opinions in regard to household furniture, +and contend, that, with a few exceptions, "modern degeneracy" has +reached the utmost stretch of absurdity, in house-furnishing, to which +the ingenuity of man can arrive. Fashions in furniture change about as +often as the cut of a lady's dress, or the shape of her bonnet, and +pretty much from the same source, too--the fancy shops of Paree, once, +in good old English, Paris, the capital city of France. A farmer, rich +or poor, may spend half his annual income, every year of his life, in +taking down old, and putting up new furniture, and be kept uncomfortable +all the time; when, if he will, after a quiet, good-tempered talk with +his better-half, agree with her upon the list of _necessary_ articles to +make them _really comfortable_; and then a catalogue of what shall +comprise the _luxurious_ part of their furnishings, which, when +provided, they will fixedly make up their mind to keep, and be content +with, they will remain entirely free from one great source of "the ills +which flesh is heir to." + +It is pleasant to see a young couple setting out in their housekeeping +life, well provided with convenient and properly-selected furniture, +appropriate to all the uses of the family; and then to keep, and use it, +and enjoy it, like contented, sensible people; adding to it, now and +then, as its wear, or the increasing wants of their family may require. +Old, familiar things, to which we have long been accustomed, and +habituated, make up a round share of our actual enjoyment. A family +addicted to constant change in their household furniture, attached to +nothing, content with nothing, and looking with anxiety to the next +change of fashion which shall introduce something _new_ into the house, +can take no sort of comfort, let their circumstances be ever so +affluent. It is a kind of dissipation in which some otherwise worthy +people are prone to indulge, but altogether pernicious in the +indulgence. It detracts, also, from the apparent respectability of a +family to find nothing _old_ about them--as if they themselves were of +yesterday, and newly dusted out of a modern shop-keeper's stock in +trade. The furniture of a house ought to look as though the family +within it once had a grandfather--and as if old things had some +veneration from those who had long enjoyed their service. + +We are not about to dictate, of what fashion household furniture should +be, when selected, any further than that of a plain, substantial, and +commodious fashion, and that it should comport, so far as those +requirements in it will admit, with the approved modes of the day. But +we are free to say, that in these times the extreme of absurdity, and +unfitness for _use_, is more the fashion than anything else. What so +useless as the modern French chairs, standing on legs like pipe-stems, +_garote_-ing your back like a rheumatism, and frail as the legs of a +spider beneath you, as you sit in it; and a tribe of equally worthless +incumbrances, which absorb your money in their cost, and detract from +your comfort, instead of adding to it, when you have got them; or a +bedstead so high that you must have a ladder to climb into it, or so low +as to scarcely keep you above the level of the floor, when lying on it. +No; give us the substantial, the easy, the free, and enjoyable articles, +and the rest may go to tickle the fancy of those who have a taste for +them. Nor do these flashy furnishings add to one's rank in society, or +to the good opinion of those whose consideration is most valuable. Look +into the houses of those people who are the _really_ substantial, and +worthy of the land. There will be found little of such frippery with +them. Old furniture, well-preserved, useful in everything, mark the +well-ordered arrangement of their rooms, and give an air of quietude, of +comfort, and of hospitality to their apartments. Children cling to such +objects in after life, as heir-looms of affection and parental regard. + +Although we decline to give specific directions about what varieties of +furniture should constitute the furnishings of a house, or to illustrate +its style or fashion by drawings, and content ourself with the single +remark, that it should, in all cases, be strong, plain, and durable--no +sham, nor ostentation about it--and such as is _made for use_: mere +trinkets stuck about the room, on center tables, in corners, or on the +mantel-piece, are the foolishest things imaginable. They are costly; +they require a world of care, to keep them in condition; and then, with +all this care, they are good for nothing, in any sensible use. We have +frequently been into a country house, where we anticipated better +things, and, on being introduced into the "parlor," actually found +everything in the furniture line so dainty and "prinked up," that we +were afraid to sit down on the frail things stuck around by way of +seats, for fear of breaking them; and everything about it looked so +gingerly and inhospitable, that we felt an absolute relief when we could +fairly get out of it, and take a place by the wide old fireplace, in the +common living room, comfortably ensconced in a good old easy, +high-backed, split-bottomed chair--there was positive comfort in that, +when in the "parlor" there was nothing but restraint and _dis_comfort. +No; leave all this vanity to town-folk, who have nothing better--or who, +at least, think they have--to amuse themselves with; it has no fitness +for a country dwelling, whatever. All this kind of frippery smacks of +the boarding school, the pirouette, and the dancing master, and is out +of character for the farm, or the sensible retirement of the country. + +In connection with the subject of furniture, a remark may be made on the +_room_ arrangement of the house, which might, perhaps, have been more +fittingly made when discussing that subject, in the designs of our +houses. Some people have a marvellous propensity for introducing into +their houses a _suite_ of rooms, connected by wide folding-doors, which +must always be opened into each other, furnished just alike, and devoted +to extraordinary occasions; thus absolutely sinking the best rooms in +the house, for display half a dozen times in the year, and at the +sacrifice of the every-day comfort of the family. This is nothing but a +bastard taste, of the most worthless kind, introduced from the city--the +propriety of which, for city life, need not here be discussed. The +presence of such arrangement, in a country house, is fatal to everything +like domestic enjoyment, and always followed by great expense and +inconvenience. No room, in any house, should be too good for occupation +by the family themselves--not every-day, and common-place--but +occupation at any and all times, when convenience or pleasure demand it. +If a large room be required, let the single room itself be large; not +sacrifice an extra room to the occasional extension of the choicer one, +as in the use of folding-doors must be done. This "parlor" may be better +furnished--and so it should be--than any other room in the house. Its +carpet should be not too good to tread, or stand upon, or for the +children to roll and tumble upon, provided their shoes and clothes be +clean. Let the happy little fellows roll and tumble on it, to their +heart's content, when their mother or elder sisters are with them--for +it may be, perhaps, the most joyous, and most innocent pleasure of their +lives, poor things! The hearth-rug should be in keeping with the carpet, +also, and no floor-cloth should be necessary to cover it, for fear of +soiling; but everything free and easy, with a comfortable, inviting, +hospitable look about it. + +Go into the houses of our great men--such as live in the country--whom +God made great, not money--and see how _they_ live. We speak not of +statesmen and politicians alone, but great merchants, great scholars, +great divines, great mechanics, and all men who, in mind and +attainments, are head and shoulder above their class in any of the walks +of life, and you find no starch, or flummery about them. We once went +out to the country house--he lived there all the time, for that +matter--of a distinguished banker of one of our great cities, to dine, +and spend the day with him. He had a small farm attached to his +dwelling, where he kept his horses and cows, his pigs, and his poultry. +He had a large, plain two-story cottage house, with a piazza running on +three sides of it, from which a beautiful view of the neighboring city, +and water, and land, was seen in nearly all directions. He was an +educated man. His father had been a statesman of distinguished ability +and station at home, and a diplomatist abroad, and himself educated in +the highest circles of business, and of society. His wife, too, was the +daughter of a distinguished city merchant, quite his equal in all the +accomplishments of life. His own wealth was competent; he was the +manager of millions of the wealth of others; and his station in society +was of the highest. Yet, with all this claim to pretension, his house +did not cost him eight thousand dollars--and he built it by "days-work," +too, so as to have it faithfully done; and the furniture in it, aside +from library, paintings, and statuary, never cost him three thousand. +Every room in it was a plain one, not more highly finished than many a +farmer's house can afford. The furniture of every kind was plain, +saving, perhaps, the old family plate, and such as he had added to it, +which was all substantial, and made for use. The younger children--and +of these, younger and older, he had several--we found happy, healthy, +cheerful, and frolicking on the carpets; and their worthy mother, in the +plainest, yet altogether appropriate garb, was sitting among them, at +her family sewing, and kindly welcomed us as we took our seats in front +of the open, glowing fireplace. "Why, sir," we exclaimed, rubbing our +hands in the comfortable glow of warmth which the fire had given--for it +was a cold December day--"you are quite plain, as well as wonderfully +comfortable, in your country house--quite different from your former +city residence!" "To be sure we are," was the reply; "we stood it as +long as we could, amid the starch and the gimcracks of ---- street, +where we rarely had a day to ourselves, and the children could never +_go_ into the streets but they must be tagged and tasselled, in their +dress, into all sorts of discomfort, merely for the sake of appearance. +So, after standing it as long as we could, my wife and I determined we +would try the country, for a while, and see what we could make of it. +We kept our town-house, into which we returned for a winter or two; but +gave it up for a permanent residence here, with which we are perfectly +content. We see here all the friends we want to see; we all enjoy +ourselves, and the children are healthy and happy." And this is but a +specimen of thousands of families in the enjoyment of country life, +including the families of men in the highest station, and possessed of +sufficient wealth. + +Why, then, should the farmer ape the fashion, and the frivolity of the +butterflies of town life, or permit his family to do it? It is the +sheerest possible folly in him to do so. Yet, it is a folly into which +many are imperceptibly gliding, and which, if not reformed, will +ultimately lead to great discomfort to themselves, and ruin to their +families. Let thoughtless people do as they choose. Pay no attention to +their extravagance; but watch them for a dozen years, and see how they +come out in their fashionable career; and observe the fate of their +families, as they get "established" in the like kind of life. He who +keeps aloof from such temptation, will then have no cause to regret that +he has maintained his own steady course of living, and taught his sons +and daughters that a due attention to their own comfort, with economical +habits in everything relating to housekeeping, will be to their lasting +benefit in future. + +But, we have said enough to convey the ideas in house-furnishing we +would wish to impart; and the reader will do as he, or she, no doubt, +would have done, had we not written a word about it--go and select such +as may strike their own fancy. + +We received, a day or two since, a letter from a person at the west, +entirely unknown to us, whose ideas so entirely correspond with our own, +that we give it a place, as showing that a proper taste _does_ prevail +among many people in this country, in regard to buildings, and +house-furnishings; and which we trust he will pardon us for publishing, +as according entirely with our own views, in conclusion: + + ----, ----, Ill., Dec. 18, 1851. + + DEAR SIR,--I received, a few days since, a copy of the first number + of a periodical called the "Plough," into which is copied the + elevation of a design for a farm house, purporting to be from a + forthcoming work of yours, entitled "Rural Architecture." Although a + perfect stranger to you, you will perhaps allow me to make one or + two suggestions. + + I have seen no work yet, which seems fully to meet the wants of our + country people in the matter of furniture. After having built their + houses, they need showing how to furnish them in the cheapest, most + neat, comfortable, convenient, and substantial manner. The furniture + should be designed for use, not merely for show. I would have it + plain, but not coarse--just enough for the utmost convenience, but + nothing superfluous. The articles of furniture figured, and + partially described in the late works on those subjects, are mostly + of too elaborate and expensive a cast to be generally introduced + into our country houses. There is too much _nabobery_ about them to + meet the wants, or suit the taste of the plain American farmer. + + As to out-houses--the barn, stable, carriage and wagon-house, + tool-house, piggery, poultry-house, corn-crib, and granary, (to + say nothing of the "rabbit-warren" and "dovecote,")--are necessary + appendages of the farm house. Now, as cheapness is one great + desideratum with nearly all our new beginners in this western + region, it seems to me, that such plans as will conveniently include + the greatest number of these under the same roof, will be best + suited to their necessities. I do not mean to be understood that, + for the sake of the first cost, we should pay no regard to the + appearance, or that we should slight our work, or suffer it to be + constructed of flimsy or perishable materials: we should not only + have an eye to taste and durability, but put in practice the most + strict economy. + + I hope, in the above matters, you may be able to furnish something + better suited to the necessities and means of our plain farmers, + than has been done by any of your predecessors. + + I remain, &c., most respectfully yours, + + ----, ----. + +Having completed the series of Designs for dwelling houses, which we had +proposed for this work, and followed them out with such remarks as were +thought fitting to attend them, we now pass on to the second part of our +subject: the out-buildings of the farm, in which are to be accommodated +the domestic animals which make up a large item of its economy and +management; together with other buildings which are necessary to +complete its requirements. We trust that they will be found to be such +as the occasion, and the wants of the farmer may demand; and in economy, +accommodation, and extent, be serviceable to those for whose benefit +they are designed. + + + + +AN APIARY, OR BEE-HOUSE. + + +Every farmer should keep bees--provided he have pasturage for them, on +his own land, or if a proper range for their food and stores lie in his +immediate vicinity. Bees are, beyond any other domestic _stock_, +economical in their keeping, to their owners. Still they require care, +and that of no inconsiderable kind, and skill, in their management, not +understood by every one who attempts to rear them. They ask no food, +they require no assistance, in gathering their daily stores, beyond that +of proper housing in the cheapest description of tenement, and with that +they are entirely content. Yet, without these, they are a contingent, +and sometimes a troublesome appendage to the domestic stock of the farm. + +We call them _domestic_. In one sense they are so; in another, they are +as wild and untamed as when buzzing and collecting their sweets in the +vineyard of Timnath, where the mighty Sampson took their honey from the +carcass of the dead lion; or, as when John the Baptist, clothed with +camel's hair, ate "locusts and wild honey" in the arid wastes of +Palestine. Although kept in partial bondage for six thousand years, the +ruling propensity of the bee is to seek a home and shelter in the +forest, when it emerges in a swarm from the parent hive; and no amount +of domestic accommodation, or kindness of treatment, will induce it +willingly to migrate from its nursery habitation to another by its side, +although provided with the choicest comforts to invite its entrance. +It will soon fly to the woods, enter a hollow and dilapidated tree, and +carve out for itself its future fortunes, amid a world of labor and +apparent discomfort. The bee, too, barring its industry, patience, and +sweetened labors, is an arrant thief--robbing its nearest neighbors, +with impunity, when the strongest, and mercilessly slaughtering its +weaker brethren, when standing in the way of its rapacity. It has been +extolled for its ingenuity, its patience, its industry, its +perseverance, and its virtue. Patience, industry, and perseverance it +has, beyond a doubt, and in a wonderful degree; but ingenuity, and +virtue, it has none, more than the spider, who spins his worthless web, +or the wasp, who stings you when disturbing his labors. Instinct, the +bee has, like all animals; but of kind feeling, and gratitude, it has +nothing; and with all our vivid nursery remembrance of good Doctor +Watts' charming little hymn-- + + "How doth the little busy bee," &c. &c., + +we have long ago set it down as incorrigible to kind treatment, or +charitable sympathy, and looked upon it simply as a thing to be treated +kindly for the sake of its labors, and as composing one of that +delightful family of domestic objects which make our homes attractive, +pleasant, and profitable. + +The active labors of the bee, in a bright May or June morning, as they +fly, in their busy order, back and forth from their hives, or the +soothing hum of their playful hours, in a summer's afternoon, are among +the most delightful associations of rural life; and as a luxury to the +sight, and the ear, they should be associated with every farmer's home, +and with every laborer's cottage, when practicable. And as their due +accommodation is to be the object of our present writing, a plan is +presented for that object. + +In many of the modern structures held out for imitation, the bee-house, +or apiary, is an expensive, pretentious affair, got up in an ambitious +way, with efforts at style, in the semblance of a temple, a pagoda, or +other absurdity, the very appearance of which frightens the simple bee +from its propriety, and in which we never yet knew a colony of them to +become, and remain successful. The insect is, as we have observed, wild +and untamable--a savage in its habits, and rude in its temper. It +rejects all cultivated appearances, and seeks only its own temporary +convenience, together with comfortable room for its stores, and the +increase of its kind; and therefore, the more rustic and simple its +habitation, the better is it pleased with its position. + + [Illustration: APIARY.] + +The bee-house should front upon a sheltered and sunny aspect. It should +be near the ground, in a clean and quiet spot, free from the intrusion +of other creatures, either human or profane, and undisturbed by noisome +smells, and uncouth sounds--for it loathes all these instinctively, and +loves nothing so much as the wild beauty of nature itself. The plan here +presented is of the plainest and least expensive kind. Nine posts, or +crutches, are set into the ground sufficiently deep to hold them firm, +and to secure them from heaving out by the frost. The distance of these +posts apart may be according to the size of the building, and to give it +strength enough to resist the action of the wind. The front posts should +be 9 feet high, above the ground; the rear posts should be 7 feet--that +a man, with his hat on, may stand upright under them--and 6 feet from +the front line. The two end posts directly in the rear of the front +corner posts, should be 3 feet back from them, and on a line to +accommodate the pitch of the roof from the front to the rear. A light +plate is to be fitted on the top line of the front posts; a plate at +each end should run back to the posts in rear, and then another +cross-plate, or girt, from each one of these middle posts, to the post +in rear of all, to meet the plate which surmounts this rear line of +posts; and a parallel plate, or rafter, should be laid from the two +intermediate posts at the ends, to connect them, and for a central +support to the roof. Intermediate central posts should also be placed +opposite those in front, to support the central plate, and not exceeding +12 feet apart. A shed roof, of boards, or shingles, tightly laid, should +cover the whole, sufficiently projecting over the front, rear, and +sides, to give the house abundant shelter, and make it architecturally +agreeable to the eye--say 12 to 18 inches, according to its extent. A +corner board should drop two feet below the plate, with such finish, by +way of ornament, as may be desirable. The ends should be tightly boarded +up against the weather, from bottom to top. The rear should also be +tightly boarded, from the bottom up to a level with the stand inside, +for the hives, and from 15 to 18 inches above that to the roof. Fitted +into the space thus left in the rear, should be a light, though +substantial, swing door, hung from the upper boarding, made in sections, +extending from one post to the other, as the size of the house may +determine, and secured with hooks, or buttons, as may be convenient. The +outside of the structure is thus completed. + +The inside arrangement for the hives, may be made in two different ways, +as the choice of the apiarian may govern in the mode in which his hives +are secured. The most usual is the _stand_ method, which may be made +thus: At each angle, equidistant, say 18 to 24 inches, inside, from the +rear side and ends of the building--as shown in the ground plan--and +opposite to each rear and end post, suspend perpendicularly a line of +stout pieces of two-inch plank, 4 inches wide, well spiked on to the +rafters above, reaching down within two feet of the ground--which is to +hold up the bottom of the stand on which the hives are to rest. From +each bottom end of these suspended strips, secure another piece of like +thickness and width, horizontally back to the post in rear of it, at the +side and ends. Then, lengthwise the building, and turning the angles at +the ends, and resting on these horizontal pieces just described, lay +other strips, 3x2 inches, set edgewise--one in front, and another in +rear, inside each post and suspended strip, and close to it, and secured +by heavy nails, so that there shall be a double line of these strips on +a level, extending entirely around the interior, from the front at each +end. This forms the hanging frame-work for the planks or boards on which +the hives are to rest. + +Now for the hives. First, let as many pieces of sound one and a half, or +two-inch plank as you have hives to set upon them, be cut long enough to +reach from the boarding on the rear and ends of the building, to one +inch beyond, and projecting over the front of the outer strip last +described. Let these pieces of plank be well and smoothly planed, and +laid lengthwise across the aforesaid strips, not less than four inches +apart from each other--if a less number of hives be in the building than +it will accommodate at four inches apart, no matter how far apart they +may be--these pieces of plank are the _ferms_ for the hives, on which +they are to sit. And, as we have for many years adopted the plan now +described, with entire success, a brief description is given of our mode +of hive, and the process for obtaining the surplus honey. We say +surplus, for destroying the bees to obtain their honey, is a mode not at +all according to our notions of economy, or mercy; and we prefer to take +that honey only which the swarm may make, after supplying their own +wants, and the stores for their increasing family. This process is given +in the report of a committee of gentlemen appointed by the New York +State Agricultural Society, on a hive which we exhibited on that +occasion, with the following note attached, at their show at Buffalo, +in 1848: + +"I have seen, examined, and used several different plans of _patent_ +hive, of which there are probably thirty invented, and used, more or +less. I have found all which I have ever seen, unsatisfactory, not +carrying out in full, the benefits claimed for them. + +"The bee works, and lives, I believe, solely by instinct. I do not +consider it an inventive, or very ingenious insect. To succeed well, its +accommodations should be of the _simplest_ and _securest_ form. +Therefore, instead of adopting the complicated plans of many of the +patent hives, I have made, and used a simple box, like that now before +you, containing a cube of one foot square _inside_--made of one and a +quarter inch sound pine plank, well jointed and planed on all sides, and +put together perfectly tight at the joints, with white lead ground in +oil, and the inside of the hive at the bottom champered off to +three-eighths of an inch thick, with a door for the bees in front, of +four inches long by three-eighths of an inch high. I do this, that there +may be a thin surface to come in contact with the shelf on which they +rest, thus preventing a harbor for the bee-moth. (I have never used a +patent hive which would exclude the bee-moth, nor any one which would so +well do it as this, having never been troubled with that scourge since I +used this tight hive.) On the top of the hive, an inch or two from the +front, is made a passage for the bees, of an inch wide, and six to eight +inches long, to admit the bees into an upper hive for surplus honey, +(which passage is covered, when no vessel for that purpose is on the +top.) For obtaining the honey, I use a common ten or twelve-quart water +pail, inverted, with the bail turned over, in which the bees deposit +their surplus, like the sample before you. The pail will hold about +twenty pounds of honey. This is simple, cheap, and expeditious; the pail +costing not exceeding twenty-five cents, is taken off in a moment, the +bail replaced, and the honey ready for transportation, or market, and +_always in place_. If there is time for more honey to be made, (my bees +made two pails-full in succession this year,) another pail can be put on +at once. + +"Such, gentlemen, in short, is my method. I have kept bees about twenty +years. I succeed better on this plan than with any other." + + +In addition to this, our hives are painted white, or other light color, +on the outside, to protect them from warping, and as a further security +against the bee-moth, or miller, which infests and destroys so many +carelessly-made hives, as to discourage the efforts of equally careless +people in keeping them. Inside the hive, on each end, we fasten, by +shingle nails, about half-way between the bottom and top, a small piece +of half-inch board, about the size of a common window button, and with a +like notch in it, set upward, but stationary, on which, when the hive is +to receive the swarm, a stick is laid across, to support the comb as it +is built, from falling in hot weather. At such time, also, when new, and +used for the first time, the under-side of the top is scratched with the +tines of a table fork, or a nail, so as to make a rough surface, to +which the new comb can be fastened. In addition to the pails on the top +of the hives, to receive the surplus honey, we sometimes use a flat box, +the size of the hive in diameter, and six or seven inches high _inside_, +which will hold twenty-five to thirty pounds of honey. The pails we +adopted as an article of greater convenience for transporting the honey. + +The other plan of arranging the hives alluded to, is suspending them +between the strips before described, by means of _cleats_ secured on to +the front and rear sides of the hive, say two-thirds the way up from the +bottom. In such case, the strips running lengthwise the house must be +brought near enough together to receive the hives as hung by the +_cleats_, and the bottom boards, or forms, must be much smaller than +those already described, and hung with wire hooks and staples to the +sides, with a button on the rear, to close up, or let them down a +sufficient distance to admit the air to pass freely across them, and up +into the hive--Weeks' plan, in fact, for which he has a patent, together +with some other fancied improvements, such as chambers to receive the +boxes for the deposit of surplus honey. This, by the way, is the best +"patent" we have seen; and Mr. Weeks having written an ingenious and +excellent treatise on the treatment of the bee, we freely recommend his +book to the attention of every apiarian who wishes to succeed in their +management. As a rule, we have no confidence in _patent_ hives. We have +seen scores of them, of different kinds, have tried several of great +pretension to sundry virtues--such as excluding moths, and other +marvelous benefits--and, after becoming the victim of bee empirics to +the tune of many a dollar, have thrown aside the gimcracks, and taken +again to a common-sense method of keeping our bees, as here described. +The bees themselves, we feel bound to say, seem to hold these +patent-right habitations in quite as sovereign contempt as ourself, +reluctantly going into them, and getting out of them at the first safe +opportunity. But, as a treatise on bee-keeping is not a part of this +present work, we must, for further information, commend the inquirer on +that subject to some of the valuable treatises extant, on so prolific a +subject, among which we name those of Bevan, Weeks, and Miner. + +The bee-house should be thoroughly whitewashed _inside_ every spring, +and kept clean of cobwebs, wasp's nests, and vermin; and it may be +painted outside, a soft and agreeable color, in keeping with the other +buildings of the farm. Its premises should be clean, and sweet. The +grass around should be kept mowed close. Low trees, or shrubbery, should +stand within a few yards of it, that the new swarms may light upon them +when coming out, and not, for want of such settling places, be liable to +loss from flying away. It should, also, be within sight and hearing, and +at no great distance from a continually-frequented room in the +dwelling--perhaps the kitchen, if convenient, that, in their swarming +season, they may be secured as they leave the parent hive. The apiary is +a beautiful object, with its busy tenantry; and to the invalid, or one +who loves to look upon God's tiny creatures, it may while away many an +agreeable hour, in watching their labors--thus adding pleasure to +profit. + +The cost of a bee-house, on the plan given, may be from ten to fifty +dollars, according to the price of material, and the amount of labor +expended upon it. It should not be an expensive structure, in any event, +as its purpose does not warrant it. If a gimcrack affair be wanted, for +the purposes of ornament, or expense, any sum of money may be squandered +upon it which the fancy of its builder may choose to spare. + + + + +AN ICE-HOUSE. + + +Among the useful and convenient appendages to the farm and country +family establishment, is the ice-house. Different from the general +opinion which prevailed in our country before ice became so important an +article of commerce, and of home consumption, the building which +contains it should stand above-ground, instead of below it. And the +plainer and more simple it can be constructed, the better. + +The position of the ice-house may be that which is most convenient to +the dwelling, or to the wants of those who use it. If it can be placed +beneath the shade of trees, it will so far be relieved from the +influence of the sun; but it should be so constructed that sunshine will +not affect the ice within it, even if it stand unsheltered; and as it +has, by the ice-merchants of our eastern cities, who put up large +quantities for exportation abroad, and others in the interior, who +furnish ice in quantity for home consumption, been proved to be +altogether the better plan to build the ice-house entirely above ground, +we shall present no other mode of construction than this. It may be +added, that five years' experience with one of our own building, has +confirmed our opinion of the superiority of this over any other plan +which may be adopted. + +The design here presented is of the most economical kind, yet +sufficiently ornamental to make it an agreeable appendage to any family +establishment. The size may be 12 feet square--less than that would be +too small for keeping ice well--and from that up to any required extent. +The idea here given is simply the _principle_ of construction. The posts +should be full eight feet high above the ground, to where the plate of +the roof is attached, and built thus: + + [Illustration: ICE-HOUSE.] + +Mark out your ground the size you require for the house; then, +commencing at one corner, dig, opposite each other, a double set of +holes, one foot deep, and two and a half feet apart, on each side of the +intended building, say three feet equidistant, so that when the posts +stand up they will present a double set, one and a half feet apart. Then +set in your posts, which should be of oak, chestnut, or some lasting +wood, and pack the earth firmly around them. If the posts are sawed, +they may be 4x6 inches in size, set edgeways toward each other. If not +sawed, they may be round sticks cut from the woods, or split from the +body of a tree, quartered--but sizable, so as to appear decent--and the +insides facing each other as they stand up, lined to a surface to +receive the planking. Of course, when the posts are set in the ground, +they are to show a square form, or skeleton of what the building is to +be when completed. When this is done, square off the top of each post to +a level, all round; then frame, or spike on to each line of posts a +plate, say six inches wide, and four to six inches deep, and stay the +two plates together strongly, so as to form a double frame. Now, plank, +or board up closely the _inside_ of each line of posts, that the space +between them shall be a fair surface. Cut out, or leave out a space for +a door in the center of the side where you want it, two and a half or +three feet wide, and six and a half feet high, and board up the inner +partition sides of this opening, so as to form a door-casing on each +side, that the space between the two lines of posts may be a continuous +box all around. Then fill up this space between the posts with moist +tan-bark, or saw-dust, well packed from the ground up to the plates; and +the body of the house is inclosed, sun-proof, and air-proof, to guard +the ice. + +Now lay down, inside the building, some sticks--not much matter what, so +that they be level--and on them lay loose planks or boards, for a floor. +Cover this floor with a coating of straw, a foot thick, and it is ready +to receive the ice. + +For the roof, take common 3x4 joists, as rafters; or, in place of them, +poles from the woods, long enough, in a pitch of full 35deg from a +horizontal line, to carry the roof at least four feet over the outside +of the plates, and secure the rafters well, by pins or spikes, to them. +Then board over and shingle it, leaving a small aperture at the top, +through which run a small pipe, say eight inches in diameter--a +stove-crock will do--for a ventilator. Then set in, 4 little posts, say +two feet high--as in the design--throw a little four-sided, pointed cap +on to the top of these posts, and the roof is done. If you want to +ornament the under side of the roof, in a rude way--and we would advise +it--take some pieces of 3x4 scantling, such as were used for the roof, +if the posts are of sawed stuff--if not, rough limbs of trees from the +woods, to match the rough posts of the same kind, and fasten them to the +posts and the under side of the roof, by way of brackets, as shown in +the design. + +When the ice is put into the house, a close floor of boards should be +laid on joists, which rest on the plates, loosely, so that this floor +can be removed when putting in ice, and that covered five or six inches +deep with tan, or saw-dust--straw will do, if the other can not be +had--and the inside arrangement is complete. Two doors should be +attached to the opening, where the ice is put in and taken out; one on +the inner side of the lining, and the other on the outer side, both +opening out. Tan, saw-dust, or straw should also be placed on the top of +the ice, when put in, so as to keep the air from it as much as possible; +and as the ice is removed, it will settle down upon, and still preserve +it. Care must be taken to have a drain under the floor of the house, to +pass off the water which melts from the ice, as it would, if standing +there, injure its keeping. + +It will be seen, that, by an error in the cut of the ground plan, the +inside line of posts does not show, as in the outer line, which they +should do; nor is the outside door inserted, as is shown in the +elevation. These defects, however, will be rectified by the builder. + +We have given considerable thought to this subject, and can devise no +shape to the building more appropriate than this, nor one cheaper in +construction. It may be built for fifty to a hundred dollars, according +to the cost of material and labor, and the degree of finish given to it. + +It is hardly worth while to expatiate upon the convenience and economy +of an ice-house, to an American. Those who love well-kept meats, fruits, +butter, milk, and various etceteras for the table, understand its +utility well; to say nothing of the cooling draughts, in the way of +drinks, in hot weather, to which it adds--when not taken to +extremes--such positive luxury. We commend the ice-house, _well-filled_, +most heartily, to every good country housekeeper, as a matter of +convenience, economy, and luxury, adding next to nothing to the living +expenses, and, as an appendage to the main buildings, an item of little +cost, and a considerable degree of ornament. + +If an under-ground ice-house be preferred to the plan here shown, a side +hill, or bank, with a northerly exposure, is the best location for it; +and the manner of building should be mainly like this, for the body of +the house. The roof, however, should be only two-sided, and the door for +putting in and taking out the ice may be in the gable, on the ground +level. The drainage under the floor, and precautions for keeping the +ice, should be quite as thorough as we have described; as, otherwise, +the earth surrounding it on three sides, at least, of the house, will be +a ready conductor of warmth, and melt the ice with great rapidity. If +the under-ground plan is adopted, but little more than the roof will +show, and of course, be of little ornament in the way of appearance. + + + + +THE ASH-HOUSE AND SMOKE-HOUSE. + + +These two objects may, both for convenience and economy, be well +combined under one roof; and we have thus placed them in connection. The +building is an exceedingly simple structure, made of stone, or brick; +the body 10 feet high, and of such size as may be desirable, with a +simple roof, and a plain, hooded chimney. + + [Illustration: ASH HOUSE AND SMOKE HOUSE.] + +In the ground plan will be seen a brick, or stone partition--which may +extend to such height as may be necessary to contain the bulk of ashes +required for storage within it--on one side of the building, to which a +door gives access. The opposite side, and overhead, is devoted to the +smoke-house, in which the various girts and hooks may be placed, for +sustaining the meats to be smoked. The building should be tied together +by joists at the plates, properly anchored into the walls, to prevent +their spreading. A stove, or pans, or neither, as the method of keeping +the smoke alive may govern, can be placed inside, to which the chimney +in the roof may serve as a partial escape, or not, as required. The +whole process is so simple, and so easily understood, that further +explanation is unnecessary. + +A great advantage that a house of this construction has, is the +convenience of storing the smoked meats for an indefinite time, even +through the whole season, keeping them dark, dry, and cool; and +permitting, at any time, a smoke to be made, to drive out the flies, +if they find their way into it. + +The ashes can, of course, be removed at any time, by the door at which +they are thrown in. + + + + +THE POULTRY-HOUSE. + + +As poultry is an indispensable appendage to the farm, in all cases, the +poultry-house is equally indispensable, for their accommodation, and for +the most profitable management of the fowls themselves, and most +convenient for the production of their eggs and young. Indeed, without +well-arranged quarters for the fowls of the farm, they are exceedingly +troublesome, and of doubtful profit; but with the proper buildings +devoted to them exclusively, they become one of the most interesting and +agreeable objects with which either the farm or the country house is +associated. + +It is hardly worth while to eulogize poultry. Their merits and virtues +are written in the hearts of all provident housekeepers; and their +beauty and goodness are familiar to every son and daughter of the rural +homestead. We shall, then, proceed at once to discuss their proper +accommodation, in the cheapest and most familiar method with which we +are acquainted. + +The hen-house--for hens (barn-door fowls, we mean) are the first and +chief stock, of the kind, to be provided for, and with them most of the +other varieties can be associated--should be located in a warm, +sheltered, and sunny place, with abundant grounds about it, where they +can graze--hens eat grass--and scratch, and enjoy themselves to their +heart's content, in all seasons, when the ground is open and they _can_ +scratch into, or range over its surface. Some people--indeed, a good +many people--picket in their gardens, to keep hens _out_; but we prefer +an enclosure to keep the hens _in_, at all seasons when they are +troublesome, which, after all, is only during short seasons of the year, +when seeds are planted, or sown, and grain and vegetables are ripening. +Otherwise, they may range at will, on the farm, doing good in their +destruction of insects, and deriving much enjoyment to themselves; for +hens, on the whole, are happy things. + + [Illustration: POULTRY LAWN.] + +We here present the elevation of a poultry-house in perspective, to show +the _principle_ which we would adopt in its construction, and which may +be extended to any required length, and to which may be added any given +area of ground, or yard-room, which the circumstances of the proprietor +may devote to it. It is, as will be seen, of a most rustic appearance, +and built as cheaply, yet thoroughly, as the subject may require. Its +length, we will say, is 20 feet, its breadth 16, and its height 10 feet, +made of posts set into the ground--for we do not like sills, and floors +of wood, because rats are apt to burrow under them, which are their +worst enemies--and boarded up, either inside or outside, as in the case +of the ice-house previously described, though not double. Plates are +laid on these posts, to connect them firmly together; and the rafters +rest on the plates, as usual. The chamber floor is 9 feet high, above +the ground, and may be used either for laying purposes by the fowls, +or reserved as a storage-room for their feed. The roof is broadly drawn +over the body of the building, to shelter it, and through the point of +the roof, in the center, is a ventilator, with a covered top, and a vane +significant of its purpose. It is also sufficiently lighted, with glass +windows, into which our draughtsman has put the diamond-paned glass, +contrary to our notions; but, as he had, no doubt, an eye to the +"picturesque," we let it pass, only remarking, that if we were building +the house on our own account, there should be no such nonsense about it. +The front windows are large, to attract the warmth of the winter's sun. +A section of picket fence is also attached, and trees in the rear--both +of which are necessary to a complete establishment; the first, to secure +the poultry in the contiguous yards, and the trees to give them shade, +and even roosting-places, if they prefer such lodgings in warm +weather--for which we consider them eminently wholesome. + +The wooden floor is dispensed with, as was remarked, to keep rid of the +vermin. If the ground be gravelly, or sandy, it will be sufficiently +dry. If a heavy or damp soil be used, it should be under-drained, which +will effectually dry it, and be better for the fowls than a floor of +either wood, brick, or stone. Doors of sufficient size can be made on +the yard sides of the house, near the ground, for the poultry to enter +either the living or roosting apartments, at pleasure, and hung with +butts on the upper side, to be closed when necessary. + + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +The front door opens into the main living room. At each end, and in the +rear, are tiers of boxes, one foot wide, one and a half feet long, and +one and a half feet high--the lowest tier elevated two feet above the +ground--and built one tier above the other, and snugly partitioned +between, with a hole at one corner of each, ten inches high, and eight +inches wide, for passing in to them; and a shelf, or passage-board, nine +inches wide, in front. These are the nesting boxes, and should be kept +supplied with short, soft straw, or hay orts, for that purpose. Hens +love secrecy in their domestic economy, and are wonderfully pleased with +the opportunity to hide away, and conceal themselves while laying. +Indeed, such concealment, or the supposition of it, we have no doubt +promotes fecundity, as it is well known that a hen _can_ stop laying, +almost at pleasure, when disturbed in her regular habits and settled +plans of life. Burns says-- + + "The best laid schemes of _mice_ and _men_ + Gang aft agley;" + +and why not hen's? We think so. If turkeys be kept in the premises, the +females can also be accommodated in these boxes, as they are fond of +laying in company with the hens, and frequently in the same nests, only +that they require larger entrances into them; or, a tier of boxes may be +made on the ground, for their convenience. + +A door leads from the rear of this room into the roosting apartment, +through which is a passage to the back side of the building, and a door +opposite, leading out into the yard. On each side of this passage are +roosts, rising, each behind and above the other, 18 inches apart. The +lowest roosts may be three feet from the ground, and the highest six +feet, that they may easily fly from one to the other; and in this way +they may all be approached, to catch the fowls, when required. For the +roosts, slender poles, two to three inches in diameter--small trees, cut +from the woods, with the bark on, are the best--may be used; and they +should be secured through augur holes in board slats suspended from the +floor joists overhead. This apartment should be cleaned out as often as +once a fortnight, both for cleanliness and health--for fowls like to be +clean, and to have pure air. A flight of stairs may be made in one +corner of the front room, to go into the chamber, if preferred; but a +swing ladder, hung by one end, with hinges, to the joists above, is, for +such purpose, a more cleanly mode of access; which, when not in use, may +be hooked up to the under side of the floor above; and a trap door, +shutting into the chamber floor, and also hung on hinges, will +accommodate the entrance. + +For feeding troughs, we have seen many ingenious contrivances, and among +them, possibly, a Yankee patent, or two; but all these we put aside, as +of little account. A common segar box, or any other cast-off thing, that +will hold their food, is just as good as the most complicated invention; +and, in common feeding, there is no better mode than to scatter abroad +their corn, and let them pick it up at their pleasure--when spread on a +clean surface. We think, also, that, except for fattening poultry, +stated hours of feeding are best for the birds themselves, and that they +be fed only such quantity as they will pick up clean. Water should, if +possible, be kept constantly by them; and if a small running stream +could pass through the yard, all the better. + +If it be desirable to have fresh eggs during winter--and that is +certainly a convenience--a box stove may be set in the living room, and +properly protected by a grating around it, for warming the living +apartment. It may be remarked, however, that this winter-laying of hens +is usually a _forcing_ business. A hen will lay but about a given number +of eggs in a year; say a hundred--we believe this is about the number +which the most observant of poultry-keepers allow them--and what she +lays in winter must be subtracted from the number she would otherwise +lay in the spring, summer, or autumn. Yet a warm house will, laying, +aside, keep the fowls with less food, and in greater comfort, than if +cold, and left to their own natural warmth. + +There is usually little difficulty in keeping hens, turkies, ducks, and +geese together, in the same inclosure, during winter and early spring, +before the grass grows. But geese and turkies require greater range +during the warm season than the others, and should have it, both for +convenience to themselves and profit to their owners. For winter +quarters, low shelters may be made for the water-fowls in the yards, and +the turkies will frequently prefer to share the shelter of the hens, on +the roosts in the house. Guinea-hens--cruel, vindictive things, as they +are--should never be allowed within a common poultry yard. Always +quarrelsome, and never quiet, they should take to the farmyard, with the +cattle, where they may range at will, and take their amusement in +fisticuffs with each other, at pleasure. Neither should peacocks be +allowed to come into the poultry inclosures, during the breeding season; +they are anything but amiable in their manners to other birds. + +With the care and management of the poultry department, after thus +providing for their accommodation, it is not our province to interfere; +that is a subject too generally understood, to require further remark. +Nor need we discuss the many varieties of poultry which, at the present +time, so arrest the attention of many of our good country people; and we +will leave so important a subject to the meditations of the "New England +Poultry Society," who have taken the gallinaceous, and other tribes +under their special cognizance, and will, doubtless, in due time, +illumine the world with various knowledge in this department of rural +economy, not yet "dreamt of in our philosophy." The recently published +poultry books, too, with an amplitude and particularity in the +discussion of the different breeds and varieties, which shuts all +suspicions of _self-interest_ into the corner, have given such a fund of +information on the subject, that any further inquiry may, with entire +good will, be turned over to their pages. + + + + +THE DOVECOTE. + + +This is a department, in itself, not common among the farm buildings, +in the United States; and for the reason, probably, that the domestic +pigeon, or house-dove, is usually kept more for amusement than for +profit--there being little actual profit about them--and is readily +accommodated in the spare lofts of sheds and out-buildings devoted to +other purposes. Pigeons, however, add to the variety and interest of the +poultry department; and as there are many different breeds of them, they +are general favorites with the juveniles of the family. + +Our present object is, not to propose any distinct building for pigeon +accommodation; but to give them a location in other buildings, where +they will be conveniently provided with room, and least annoying by +their presence--for, be it known, they are oft-times a most serious +annoyance to many crops of the farm, when kept in any considerable +numbers, as well as in the waste and havoc they make in the stores of +the barns and granaries. Although graceful and beautiful birds, +generally clean and tidy in their personal habits out of doors, they are +the filthiest housekeepers imaginable, and no building can be especially +devoted to their use, if not often swept and cleaned, but what will soon +become an intolerable nuisance within, and not much better without, and +the ground immediately around the premises a dirty place. The common +pigeon is a pugnacious cavalier, warring apparently upon mere punctilio, +as we have often seen, in the distant strut-and-coo of a stranger bird +to his mate, even if she be the very incarnation of "rejected +addresses." On all these accounts, we would locate--unless a small and +select family of fancy birds, perhaps--the pigeon stock at the principal +farm-yard, and in the lofts of the cattle sheds, or the chambers of the +stable. + +Wherever the pigeon accommodations are designed to be, a close partition +should separate their quarters from the room occupied for other +purposes, with doors for admission to those who have to do with them, +in cleaning their premises, or to take the birds, when needed. A line of +holes, five inches high, and four inches wide--the top of the hole +slightly arched--should be made, say 18 inches apart, for the distance +of room they are to occupy in the building. A foot above the top of +these, another line may be made; and so on, tiering them up to the +height intended to devote to them. A line of shelves, or +lighting-boards, six to eight inches wide, should then be placed one +inch below the bottom of these holes, and firmly braced beneath, and +nailed to the weather-boarding of the house. Inside, a range of box +should be made, of corresponding length with the line of holes, to +embrace every entrance from the outside, 18 inches wide, and partitioned +equidistant between each entrance, so as to give a square box of 18 +inches to each pair of birds. The bottom board of each ascending tier of +boxes will, of course, be the top of the boxes below, and these must be +made _perfectly tight_, to prevent the offal of the upper ones from +falling through, to the annoyance of their neighbors below. The back of +these boxes should have a line of swing doors, hung with butts, or +hinges, from the top, and fastened with buttons, or hooks, at the +bottom, to allow admission, or examination, at any time, to those who +have the care of them. This plan of door is indispensable, to clean them +out--which should be done as often as once a week, or fortnight, at +farthest--and to secure the birds as they may be wanted for the table, +or other purposes--for it will be recollected that squabs, just +feathered out, are considered a delicious dish, at the most sumptuous +tables. It will be understood, that these boxes above described, are +within a partitioned room, with a floor, in their rear, with sufficient +space for the person in charge of them to pass along, and to hold the +baskets, or whatever is to receive the offal of their boxes, as it is +taken out. This offal is valuable, as a highly stimulating manure, and +is sought for by the morocco tanners, at a high price--frequently at +twenty-five cents a bushel. + +As pigeons are prolific breeders, laying and hatching six or seven times +a year, and in warm climates oftener, they require a good supply of +litter--short cut, soft straw is the best--which should be freely +supplied at every new incubation, and the old litter removed. The boxes, +too, should be in a warm place, snugly made, and well sheltered from the +wind and driving storms; for pigeons, although hardy birds when grown, +should be well protected while young. + +The common food of the pigeon is grain, of almost any kind, and worms, +and other insects, which they pick up in the field. On the whole, they +are a pleasant bird, when they can be conveniently kept, and are worth +the trifling cost that their proper housing may demand. + +If our opinion were asked, as to the best, and least troublesome kind of +pigeon to be kept, we should say, the finest and most hardy of the +common kind, which are usually found in the collections throughout the +country. But there are many _fancy_ breeds--such as the fan-tail, the +powter, the tumbler, the ruffler, and perhaps another variety or +two--all pretty birds, and each distinct in their appearance, and in +some of their domestic habits. The most beautiful of the pigeon kind, +however, is the Carrier. They are the very perfection of grace, and +symmetry, and beauty. Their colors are always brilliant and changing, +and in their flight they cleave the air with a rapidity which no other +variety--indeed, which scarce any other bird, of any kind, can equal. +History is full of examples of their usefulness, in carrying tidings +from one country to another, in letters, or tokens, fastened to their +necks or legs, for which they are trained by those who have thus used +them; but which, now, the well known telegraph wire has nearly +superseded. + +All these fancy breeds require great care in their management, to keep +them pure in blood, as they will all mix, more or less, with the common +pigeon, as they come in contact with them; and the selection of whatever +kind is wanted to be kept, must be left to those who are willing to +bestow the pains which their necessary care may demand. + + + + +A PIGGERY. + + +The hog is an animal for which we have no especial liking, be he either +a tender suckling, nosing and tugging at the well-filled udder of his +dam, or a well-proportioned porker, basking in all the plenitude of +swinish luxury; albeit, in the use of his flesh, we affect not the Jew, +but liking it moderately well, in its various preparations, as a +substantial and savory article of diet. Still, the hog is an important +item of our agricultural economy, and his production and proper +treatment is a valuable study to all who rear him as a creature either +of profit or convenience. In the western and southern states, a mild +climate permits him to be easily reared and fed off for market, with +little heed to shelter or protection; while in the north, he requires +care and covering during winter. Not only this; in all places the hog is +an unruly, mischievous creature, and has no business really in any other +place than where he can he controlled, and kept at a moment's call. + +But, as tastes and customs differ essentially, with regard to his +training and destiny, to such as agree with us in opinion, that his +proper place is in the sty, particularly when feeding for pork, a plan +of piggery is given, such as may be economical in construction, and +convenient in its arrangement, both for the swine itself, and him who +has charge of him. + +The design here given, is for a building, 36 feet long, and 24 feet +wide, with twelve-feet posts; the lower, or living room for the swine, +9 feet high, and a storage chamber above, for the grain and other food +required for his keeping. The roof has a pitch of 40deg from a +horizontal line, spreading over the sides and gables at least 20 inches, +and coarsely bracketed. The entrance front projects 6 feet from the main +building, by 12 feet in length. Over its main door, in the gable, is a +door with a hoisting beam and tackle above it, to take in the grain, and +a floor over the whole area receives it. A window is in each gable end. +A ventilator passes up through this chamber and the roof, to let off the +steam from the cooking vats below, and the foul air emitted by the +swine, by the side of which is the furnace-chimney, giving it, on the +whole, as respectable an appearance as a pigsty need pretend to. + + [Illustration: PIGGERY.] + + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +At the left of the entrance is a flight of stairs, (_b_,) leading to the +chamber above. On the right is a small area, (_a_,) with a window to +light it. A door from this leads into the main room, (_c_,) where stands +a chimney, (_d_,) with a furnace to receive the fuel for cooking the +food, for which are two kettles, or boilers, with wooden vats, on the +top, if the extent of food demands them; these are secured with broad +wooden covers, to keep in the steam when cooking. An iron valve is +placed in the back flue of the furnace, which may fall upon either side, +to shut off the fire from either of the kettles, around which the fire +may revolve; or, the valve may stand in a perpendicular position, at +will, if both kettles be heated at the same time. But, as the most +economical mode is to cook one kettle while the other is in process of +feeding out, and _vice versa_, scarcely more than one at a time will be +required in use. Over each kettle is a sliding door, with a short spout +to slide the food into them, when wanted. If necessary, and it can be +conveniently done, a well may be sunk under this room, and a pump +inserted at a convenient place; or if equally convenient, a pipe may +bring the water in from a neighboring stream, or spring. On three sides +of this room are feeding pens, (_e_,) and sleeping partitions, (_f_,) +for the swine. These several apartments are accommodated with doors, +which open into separate yards on the sides and in rear, or a large one +for the entire family, as may be desired. + + +CONSTRUCTION. + +The frame of this building is of strong timber, and stout for its size. +The sills should be 8 inches square, the corner posts of the same size, +and the intermediate posts 8x6 inches in diameter. In the center of +these posts, grooves should be made, 2 inches wide, and deep, to receive +the _plank_ sides, which should be 2 inches thick, and let in from the +level of the chamber by a flush cutting for that purpose, out of the +grooves inside, thus using no nails or spikes, and holding the planks +tight in their place, that they may not be rooted out, or rubbed off by +the hogs, and the inner projection of the main posts left to serve as +rubbing posts for them--for no creature so loves to rub his sides, when +fatting, as a hog, and this very natural and praiseworthy propensity +should be indulged. These planks, like the posts, should, particularly +the lower ones, be of _hard_ wood, that they may not be eaten off. Above +the chamber floor, thinner planks may be used, but all should be well +jointed, that they may lie snug, and shut out the weather. The center +post in the floor plan of the engraving is omitted, by mistake, but it +should stand there, like the others. Inside posts at the corners, and in +the sides of the partitions, like the outside ones, should be also +placed and grooved to receive the planking, four and a half feet high, +and their upper ends be secured by tenons into mortices in the beams +overhead. The troughs should then, if possible, be made of _cast iron_, +or, in default of that, the hardest of white oak plank, strongly spiked +on to the floor and sides; and the apartment may then be called +hog-proof--for a more unquiet, destructive creature, to a building in +which he is confined, does not live, than the hog. The slide, or spout +to conduct the swill and other feed from the feeding-room into the +trough, should be inserted through the partition planks, with a steep +_slant_ the whole length of the trough, that the feed may be readily +thrown into any or all parts of it. This slide should be of two-inch +white-oak plank, and bound along the bottom by a strip of hoop-iron, to +prevent the pigs from eating it off--a habit they are prone to; then, +firmly spiked down to the partition planks, and through the ends, to the +adjoining studs, and the affair is complete. With what experience we +have had with the hog, and that by no means an agreeable one, we can +devise no better method of accommodation than this here described, and +it certainly is the cheapest. But the timber and lumber used must be +sound and strong; and then, properly put together, it may defy their +most destructive ingenuity. Of the separate uses to which the various +apartments may be put, nothing need be said, as the circumstances of +every farmer will best govern them. + +One, to three hundred dollars, according to price of material and labor, +will build this piggery, besides fitting it up with furnace and boilers. +It may be contracted, or enlarged in size, as necessity may direct; but +no one, with six to twenty porkers in his fatting pens, a year, will +regret the expense of building a convenient appurtenance of this kind to +his establishment. + +A word may be pardoned, in relation to the too universal practice of +permitting swine to prowl along the highways, and in the yards and lawns +of the farm house. There is nothing so slovenly, wasteful, and +destructive to one's thrift, and so demoralizing, in a small way, as is +this practice. What so revolting to one, of the least tidy nature +whatever, as a villainous brute, with a litter of filthy pigs at her +heels, and the slimy ooze of a mud-puddle reeking and dripping from +their sides? See the daubs of mud marking every fence-post, far and +near, along the highway, or where-ever they run! A burrow is rooted up +at every shady point, a nuisance at every corner you turn, and their +abominable snouts into everything that is filthy, or obscene--a living +curse to all that is decent about them. An Ishmaelite among the farm +stock, they are shunned and hated by every living thing, when at large. +But, put the creature in his pen, with a ring in his nose, if permitted +to go into the adjoining yard, and comfortably fed, your pig, if of a +civilized breed, is a quiet, inoffensive--indeed, gentlemanly sort of +animal; and as such, he is entitled to our toleration--regard, we cannot +say; for in all the pages of our reading, we learn, by no creditable +history, of any virtuous sympathies in a hog. + + + + +FARM BARNS. + + +The farm barn, next to the farm house, is the most important structure +of the farm itself, in the Northern and Middle States; and even at the +south and southwest, where less used, they are of more importance in the +economy of farm management than is generally supposed. Indeed, to our +own eyes, a farm, or a plantation appears incomplete, without a good +barn accommodation, as much as without good household appointments--and +without them, no agricultural establishment can be complete in all its +proper economy. + +The most _thorough_ barn structures, perhaps, to be seen in the United +States, are those of the state of Pennsylvania, built by the German +farmers of the lower and central counties. They are large, and expensive +in their construction; and, in a strictly economical view, perhaps more +costly than required. Yet, there is a substance and durability in them, +that is exceedingly satisfactory, and, where the pecuniary ability of +the farmer will permit, may well be an example for imitation. + +In the structure of the barn, and in its interior accommodation, much +will depend upon the branches of agriculture to which the farm is +devoted. A farm cultivated in grain chiefly, requires but little room +for stabling purposes. Storage for grain in the sheaf, and granaries, +will require its room; while a stock farm requires a barn with extensive +hay storage, and stables for its cattle, horses, and sheep, in all +climates not admitting such stock to live through the winter in the +field, like the great grazing states west of the Alleghanies. Again, +there are wide districts of country where a mixed husbandry of grain and +stock is pursued, which require barns and out-buildings accommodating +both; and to supply the exigencies of each, we shall present such plans +as may be appropriate, and that may, possibly, by a slight variation, +be equally adapted to either, or all of their requirements. + +It may not be out of place here, to remark, that many _designers_ of +barns, sheds, and other out-buildings for the accommodation of farm +stock, have indulged in fanciful arrangements for the convenience and +comfort of animals, which are so complicated that when constructed, +as they sometimes are, the practical, common-sense farmer will not use +them; and, in the _learning_ required in their use, are altogether unfit +for the use and treatment they usually get from those who have the daily +care of the stock which they are intended for, and for the rough usage +they receive from the animals themselves. A very pretty, and a very +plausible arrangement of stabling, and feeding, and all the etceteras of +a barn establishment, may be thus got up by an ingenious theorist at the +fireside, which will work to a charm, as he dilates upon its good +qualities, untried; but, when subjected to experiment will be utterly +worthless for practical use. All this we, in our practice, have gone +through; and after many years experience, have come to the conclusion +that the simplest plan of construction, consistent with an economical +expenditure of the material of food for the consumption of stock, is by +far the most preferable. + +Another item to be considered in this connection, is the comparative +value of the stock, the forage fed to them, and the _labor_ expended in +feeding and taking care of them. We will illustrate: Suppose a farm to +lie in the vicinity of a large town, or city. Its value is, perhaps, a +hundred dollars an acre. The hay cut upon it is worth fifteen dollars a +ton, at the barn, and straw, and coarse grains in proportion, and hired +labor ten or twelve dollars a month. Consequently, the manager of this +farm should use all the economy in his power, by the aid of +cutting-boxes, and other machinery, to make the least amount of forage +supply the wants of his stock; and the internal economy of his barn +arranged accordingly; because labor is his cheapest item, and food the +dearest. Then, for any contrivance to work up his forage the closest--by +way of machinery, or manual labor--by which it will serve the purposes +of keeping his stock, is true economy; and the making, and saving of +manures is an item of the first importance. His buildings, and their +arrangements throughout, should, on these accounts, be constructed in +accordance with his practice. If, on the other hand, lands are cheap and +productive, and labor comparatively dear, a different practice will +prevail. He will feed his hay from the mow, without cutting. The straw +will be either stacked out, and the cattle turned to it, to pick what +they like of it, and make their beds on the remainder; or, if it is +housed, he will throw it into racks, and the stock may eat what they +choose. It is but one-third, or one-half the labor to do this, that the +other mode requires, and the saving in this makes up, and perhaps more +than makes up for the increased quantity of forage consumed. Again, +climate may equally affect the mode of winter feeding the stock. The +winters may be mild. The hay may be stacked in the fields, when +gathered, or put into small barns built for hay storage alone; and the +manure, scattered over the fields by the cattle, as they are fed from +either of them, may be knocked to pieces with the dung-beetle, in the +spring, or harrowed and bushed over the ground; and with the very small +quantity of labor required in all this, such practice will be more +economical than any other which can be adopted. It is, therefore, a +subject of deliberate study with the farmer, in the construction of his +out-buildings, what plans he shall adopt in regard to them, and their +fitting up and arrangement. + +With these considerations before us, we shall submit such plans of barn +structures as may be adapted for general use, where shelters for the +farm crops, and farm stock, are required; and which may, in their +interior arrangement, be fitted for almost any locality of our country, +as the judgment and the wants of the builder may require. + + + + +DESIGN I. + + +This is a design of barn partially on the Pennsylvania plan, with +under-ground stables, and a stone-walled basement on three sides, with a +line of posts standing open on the yard front, and a wall, pierced by +doors and windows, retreating 12 feet under the building, giving, in +front, a shelter for stock. Two sheds, by way of wings, are run out to +any desired length, on each side. The body of this barn, which is built +of wood, above the basement, is 60x46 feet; the posts 18 feet high, +above the sills; the roof is elevated at an angle of 40deg from a +horizontal line, and the gables hooded, or truncated, 14 feet wide at +the verge, so as to cover the large doors at the ends. The main roof +spreads 3 to 4 feet over the body of the barn, and runs from the side +eaves in a _straight_ line, different from what is shown in the +engraving, which appears of a gambrel or hipped fashion. The sides are +covered with boards laid vertically, and battened with narrow strips, +3 inches wide. The large doors in the ends are 14 feet wide, and 14 feet +high. A slatted blind window is in each gable, for ventilation, and a +door, 9x6 feet, on the yard side. + + [Illustration] + + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +A main floor, _A_, 12 feet wide, runs the whole length through the +center of the barn. _S, S_, are the large doors. _H, H,_ are trap doors, +to let hay or straw down to the alleys of the stables beneath. _B_, +is the principal bay for hay storage, 16 feet wide, and runs up to the +roof. _C_, is the bay, 26x16 feet, for the grain mow, if required for +that purpose. D, is a granary, 13x16 feet, and 8 feet high. _E_, +a storage room for fanning mill, cutting-box, or other machinery, or +implements, of same size and height as the granary. _F_, is a passage, +8 feet wide, leading from the main floor to the yard door, through which +to throw out litter. Over this passage, and the granary, and store-room, +may be stored grain in the sheaf, or hay. The main floor will +accommodate the thrashing-machine, horse-power, cutting box, &c., &c., +when at work. A line of movable sleepers, or poles, may be laid across +the floor, 10 feet above it, on a line of girts framed into the main +posts, for that purpose, over which, when the sides of the barn are +full, either hay or grain may be deposited, up to the ridge of the roof, +and thus afford large storage. And if the demands of the crops require +it, after the sides and over the floor is thus filled, the floor itself +may, a part of it, be used for packing away either hay or grain, by +taking off the team after the load is in, and passing them out by a +retreating process, on the side of the cart or wagon; and the vehicle, +when unloaded, backed out by hand. We have occasionally adopted this +method, when crowded for room for increased crops, to great advantage. +It requires somewhat more labor, to be sure, but it is much better than +stacking out; and a well-filled barn is a good sight to look upon. + + [Illustration: MAIN FLOOR PLAN.] + +Underneath the body of the barn are the stables, root cellar, calf +houses, or any other accommodation which the farm stock may require; +but, for the most economical objects, is here cut up into stables. At +the ends, _l, l_, are passages for the stock to go into their stalls; +and also, on the sides, for the men who attend to them. The main passage +through the center double line of stalls is 8 feet wide; and on each +side are double stalls, 6-1/2 feet wide. From the two end walls, the +cattle passages are 5 feet wide, the partition between the stalls +running back in a _slant_, from 5 feet high at the mangers to the floor, +at that distance from the walls. The mangers, _j, j_, are 2 feet wide, +or may be 2-1/2 feet, by taking an additional six inches out of the rear +passage. The passage is, between the mangers, 3 feet wide, to receive +the hay from the trap doors in the floor above. + + [Illustration: UNDER-GROUND PLAN AND YARD.] + +The most economical plan, for room in tying cattle in their stalls, is +to fasten the rope, or chain, whichever is used, (the wooden stanchion, +or _stanchel_, as it is called, to open and shut, enclosing the animal +by the neck, we do not like,) into a ring, which is secured by a strong +staple into the post which sustains the partition, just at the top of +the manger, on each side of the stall. This prevents the cattle in the +same stall from interfering with each other, while the partition +effectually prevents any contact from the animals on each side of it, in +the separate stalls. The bottom of the mangers, for grown cattle, should +be a foot above the floor, and the top two and a half feet, which makes +it deep enough to hold their food; and the whole, both sides and bottom, +should be made of two-inch, sound, strong plank, that they may not be +broken down. The back sides of the stalls, next the feeding alleys, +should be full 3-1/2 feet high; and if the cattle are large, and +disposed to climb into their mangers with their fore-feet, as they +sometimes do, a pole, of 2-1/2 or 3 inches in diameter, should be +secured across the front of the stall, next the cattle, and over the +mangers--say 4-1/2 feet above the floor, to keep them out of the manger, +and still give them sufficient room for putting their heads between that +and the top of the manger, to get their food. Cattle thus secured in +double stalls, take up less room, and lie much warmer, than when in +single stalls; besides, the expense of fitting them up being much +less--an experience of many years has convinced us on this point. The +doors for the passage of the cattle in and out of the stables, should be +five feet wide, that they may have plenty of room. + +In front of these stables, on the outside, is a line of posts, the feet +of which rest on large flat stones, and support the outer sill of the +barn, and form a recess, before named, of 12 feet in width, under which +may be placed a line of racks, or mangers for outside cattle, to consume +the orts, or leavings of hay rejected by the in-door stock; or, the +manure may be housed under it, which is removed from the stables by +wheel-barrows. The low line of sheds which extend from the barn on each +side of the yard, may be used for the carts, and wagons of the place; +or, racks and mangers may be fitted up in them, for outside cattle to +consume the straw and coarse forage; or, they may be carried higher than +in our plan, and floored overhead, and hay, or other food stored in them +for the stock. They are so placed merely to give the idea. + +There may be no more fitting occasion than this, perhaps, to make a +remark or two on the subject of managing stock in stables of any kind, +when kept in any considerable numbers; and a word may not be impertinent +to the subject in hand, as connected with the construction of stables. + +There is no greater benefit to cattle, after coming into winter +quarters, than a straight-forward regularity in everything appertaining +to them. Every animal should have its own particular stall in the +stable, where it should _always be kept, and in no other_. The cattle +should be fed and watered at certain hours of the day, as near as may +be. When let out of the stables for water, unless the weather is very +pleasant, when they may be permitted to lie out an hour or two, they +should be immediately put back, and not allowed to range about with the +outside cattle. They are more quiet and contented in their stables than +elsewhere, and eat less food, than if permitted to run out; and are +every way more comfortable, if properly bedded and attended to, as every +one will find, on trying it. The habit of many people, in turning their +cattle out of the stables in the morning, in all weathers--letting them +range about in a cold yard, hooking and thorning each other--is of no +possible benefit, unless to rid themselves of the trouble of cleaning +the stables, which pays twice its cost in the saving of manure. The +outside cattle, which occupy the yard, are all the better, that the +stabled ones do not interfere with them. They become habituated to their +own quarters, as the others do to their's, and all are better for being +each in their own proper place. It may appear a small matter to notice +this; but it is a subject of importance, which every one may know who +tries it. + +It will be seen that a driving way is built up to the barn doors at the +ends; this need not be expensive, and will add greatly to the ease and +convenience of its approach. It is needless to remark, that this barn is +designed to stand on a shelving piece of ground, or on a slope, which +will admit of its cellar stables without much excavation of the earth; +and in such a position it may be economically built. No estimate is +given of its cost, which must depend upon the price of materials, and +the convenience of stone on the farm. The size is not arbitrary, but may +be either contracted or extended, according to the requirements of the +builder. + + + + + [Illustration] + +DESIGN II. + + +Here is presented the design of a barn built by ourself, about sixteen +years since, and standing on the farm we own and occupy; and which has +proved so satisfactory in its use, that, save in one or two small +particulars, which are here amended, we would not, for a stock barn, +alter it in any degree, nor exchange it for one of any description +whatever. + +For the farmer who needs one of but half the size, or greater, or less, +it may be remarked that the extent of this need be no hindrance to the +building of one of any size--as the general _design_ may be adopted, and +carried out, either in whole or in part, according to his wants, and the +economy of its accommodation preserved throughout. The _principle_ of +the structure is what is intended to be shown. + +The _main_ body of this barn stands on the ground, 100x50 feet, with +eighteen-feet posts, and a broad, sheltering roof, of 40deg pitch from a +horizontal line, and truncated at the gables to the width of the main +doors below. The sills stand 4 feet above the ground, and a raised +driving way to the doors admits the loads of grain and forage into it. +The manner of building the whole structure would be, to frame and put up +the main building as if it was to have no attachment whatever, and put +on the roof, and board up the gable ends. Then frame, and raise +adjoining it, on the long sides, and on the rear end--for the opposite +gable end to that, is the entrance front to the barn--a continuous +lean-to, 16 feet wide, attaching it to the posts of the barn, strongly, +by girts. These ranges of lean-to stand on the ground level, +nearly--high enough, however, to let a terrier dog under the floors, +to keep out the rats--but quite 3 feet below the sills of the barn. The +outer posts of the lean-to's should be 12 feet high, and 12-1/2 feet +apart, from center to center, except at the extreme corners, which would +be 16 feet. One foot below the roof-plates of the main building, and +across the rear gable end, a line of girts should be framed into the +posts, as a _rest_ for the upper ends of the lean-to rafters, that they +may pass under, and a foot below the lower ends of the main roof +rafters, to make a break in the roof of one foot, and allow a line of +eave gutters under it, if needed, and to show the lean-to line of roof +as distinct from the other. The stables are 7 feet high, from the lower +floor to the girts overhead, which connect them with the main line of +barn posts; thus giving a loft of 4 feet in height at the eaves, and of +12 feet at the junction with the barn. In this loft is large storage for +hay, and coarse forage, and bedding for the cattle, which is put in by +side windows, level with the loft floor--as seen in the plate. In the +center of the rear, _end_ lean-to, is a large door, corresponding with +the front entrance to the barn, as shown in the design, 12 feet high, +and 14 feet wide, to pass out the wagons and carts which have discharged +their loads in the barn, having entered at the main front door. A line +of board, one foot wide, between the line of the main and lean-to roofs, +is then nailed on, to shut up the space; and the rear gable end boarded +down to the roof of the lean-to attached to it. The front end, and the +stables on them vertically boarded, and battened, as directed in the +last design; the proper doors and windows inserted, and the outside is +finished. + + + [Illustration: FLOOR PLAN.] + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +Entering the large door, (_a_,) at the front end, 14 feet wide, and 14 +feet high, the main floor (_g_,) passes through the entire length of the +barn, and rear lean-to, 116 feet--the last 16 feet through the +lean-to--and sloping 3 feet to the outer sill, and door, (_a_,) of that +appendage. On the left of the entrance is a recess, (_e_,) of 20x18 +feet, to be used as a thrashing floor, and for machinery, cutting feed, +&c., &c.--5 feet next the end being cut off for a passage to the stable. +Beyond this is a bay, (_b_,) 18x70 feet, for the storage of hay, or +grain, leaving a passage at the further end, of 5 feet wide, to go into +the further stables. This bay is bounded on the extreme left, by the +line of outside posts of the barn. On the right of the main door is a +granary, (_d_,) 10x18 feet, two stories high, and a flight of steps +leading from the lower into the upper room. Beyond this is another bay, +(_b_,) corresponding with the one just described on the opposite side. +The passages at the ends of the bays, (_e_, _e_,) have steps of 3 feet +descent, to bring them down on to a level with the stable floors of the +lean-to. A passage in each of the two long side lean-to's, (_e_, _e_,) 3 +feet wide, receives the hay forage for cattle, or other stock, thrown +into them from the bays, and the lofts over the stables; and from them +is thrown into the mangers, (_h_, _h_.) The two apartments in the +extreme end lean-to, (_f_, _f_,) 34x16 feet each, may be occupied as a +hospital for invalid cattle, or partitioned off for calves, or any other +purpose. A calving house for the cows which come in during the winter, +is always convenient, and one of these may be used for such purpose. The +stalls, (_i_, _i_,) are the same as described in Design I, and back of +them is the passage for the cattle, as they pass in and out of their +stalls. The stable doors, (_j_, _j_,) are six in number. Small windows, +for ventilation, should be cut in the rear of the stalls, as marked, and +for throwing out the manure, with sliding board shutters. This completes +the barn accommodation--giving twenty-eight double stalls, where +fifty-six grown cattle may be tied up, with rooms for twenty to thirty +calves in the end stables. If a larger stock is kept, young cattle may +be tied up, with their heads to the bays, on the main floor, beyond the +thrashing floor, which we practice. This will hold forty young cattle. +The manure is taken out on a wheel-barrow, and no injury done to the +floor. They will soon eat out a place where their forage can be put, and +do no injury beyond that to the hay in the bays, as it is too closely +packed for them to draw it out any farther. In this way we can +accommodate more than a hundred head of cattle, of assorted ages. + +The hay in the bays may drop three feet below the level of the main +floor, by placing a tier of rough timbers and poles across them, to keep +it from the ground, and many tons of additional storage be thus +provided. We have often stored one hundred and fifty tons of hay in this +barn; and it will hold even more, if thoroughly packed, and the movable +girts over the main floor be used, as described in Design I. + +The chief advantages in a barn of this plan are, the exceeding +convenience of getting the forage to the stock. When the barn is full, +and feeding is first commenced, with a hay knife, we commence on each +side next the stables, on the top of the bays, cut a _well_ down to the +alley way in front of the mangers, which is left open up to the stable +roof. This opens a passage for the hay to be thrown into the alleys, and +in a short time it is so fed out on each side, that, the sides of the +main barn being open to them, the hay can be thrown along their whole +distance, and fed to the cattle as wanted; and so at the rear end +stables, in the five-foot alley adjoining them. If a root cellar be +required, it may be made under the front part of the main floor, and a +trap-door lead to it. For a milk dairy, this arrangement is an admirable +one--we so used it for four years; or for stall-feeding, it is equally +convenient. One man will do more work, so far as feeding is concerned, +in this barn, than two can do in one of almost any other arrangement; +and the yards outside may be divided into five separate inclosures, with +but little expense, and still be large enough for the cattle that may +want to use them. It matters not what kind of stock may be kept in this +barn; it is convenient for all alike. Even sheep may be accommodated in +it with convenience. But low, open sheds, inclosed by a yard, are better +for them; with storage for hay overhead, and racks and troughs beneath. + +This barn is built of wood. It may be well constructed, with stone +underpinning, without mortar, for $1,000 to $1,500, as the price of +materials may govern. And if the collection of the water from the roofs +be an object, cheap gutters to carry it into one or more cisterns may be +added, at an expense of $200 to $300. + +As before observed, a barn may be built on this principle, of any size, +and the stables, or lean-to's may only attach to one side or end; or +they may be built as mere sheds, with no storage room over the cattle. +The chief objection to stabling cattle in the _body_ of the barn is, the +continual decay of the most important timbers, such as sills, sleepers, +&c., &c., by the leakage of the stale, and manure of the cattle on to +them, and the loss of so much valuable storage as they would occupy, for +hay and grain. By the plan described, the stables have no attachment to +the sills, and other durable barn timbers below; and if the stable sills +and sleepers decay, they are easily and cheaply replaced with others. +Taking it altogether, we can recommend no better, nor, as we think, so +good, and so cheap a plan for a _stock_ barn, as this. + +We deem it unnecessary to discuss the subject of water to cattle yards, +as every farm has its own particular accommodations, or inconveniences +in that regard; and the subject of leading water by pipes into different +premises, is too well understood to require remark. Where these can not +be had, and springs or streams are not at hand, wells and pumps must be +provided, in as much convenience as the circumstances of the case will +admit. Water is absolutely necessary, and that in quantity, for stock +uses; and every good manager will exercise his best judgment to obtain +it. + + + + +BARN ATTACHMENTS. + + +It may be expected, perhaps, that in treating so fully as we have of the +several kinds of farm building, a full cluster of out-buildings should +be drawn and exhibited, showing their relative positions and +accommodation. This can not be done, however, except as a matter of +"fancy;" and if attempted, might not be suited to the purposes of a +single individual, by reason of the particular location where they would +be situated, and the accommodation which the buildings might require. +Convenience of access to the barns, from the fields where the crops are +grown, a like convenience to get out manures upon those fields, and a +ready communication with the dwelling house, are a part of the +considerations which are to govern their position, or locality. Economy +in labor, in the various avocations at the barn, and its necessary +attachments; and the greatest convenience in storage, and the housing of +the various stock, grains, implements, and whatever else may demand +accommodation, are other considerations to be taken into the account, +all to have a bearing upon them. Compactness is always an object in such +buildings, when not obtained at a sacrifice of some greater advantage, +and should be one of the items considered in placing them; and in their +construction, next to the arrangement of them in the most convenient +possible manner for their various objects, a due regard to their +architectural appearance should be studied. Such appearance, where their +objects are apparent, can easily be secured. _Utility_ should be their +chief point of expression; and no style of architecture, or finish, can +be really _bad_, where this expression is duly consulted, and carried +out, even in the humblest way of cheapness, or rusticity. + +We have heretofore sufficiently remarked on the folly of unnecessary +pretension in the farm buildings, of any kind; and nothing can appear, +and really be more out of place, than ambitious structures intended only +for the stock, and crops. Extravagant expenditure on these, any more +than an extravagant expenditure on the dwelling and its attachments, +does not add to the _selling_ value of the farm, nor to its economical +management, in a productive capacity; and he who is about to build, +should make his proposed buildings a study for months, in all their +different requirements and conveniences, before he commences their +erection. Mistakes in their design, and location, have cost men a whole +after life of wear-and-tear of temper, patience, and labor, to +themselves, and to all who were about them; and it is better to wait +even two or three years, to fully mature the best plans of building, +than by hurrying, to mis-locate, mis-arrange, and miss, in fact, the +very best application in their structure of which such buildings are +capable. + +A word might also be added about barn-_yards_. The planning and +management of these, also, depends much upon the course the farmer has +to pursue in the keeping of his stock, the amount of waste litter, such +as straw, &c., which he has to dispose of, and the demands of the farm +for animal and composted manures. There are different methods of +constructing barn-yards, in different parts of the country, according to +climate and soils, and the farmer must best consult his own experience, +the most successful examples about him, and the publications which treat +of that subject, in its connection with farm husbandry, to which last +subject this item more properly belongs. + + + + +RABBITS. + + +It may appear that we are extending our "Rural Architecture" to an undue +length, in noticing a subject so little attended to in this country as +Rabbit accommodations. But, as with other small matters which we have +noticed, this may create a new source of interest and attachment to +country life, we conclude to give it a place. + +It is a matter of surprise to an American first visiting England, to see +the quantities of game which abound at certain seasons of the year in +the London and other markets of that country, in contrast with the +scanty supply, or rather no supply at all, existing in the markets of +American cities. The reason for such difference is, that in England, +Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, every acre of the soil is appropriated to +some profitable use, while we, from the abundance of land in America, +select only the best for agricultural purposes, and let the remainder go +barren and uncared for. Lands appropriated to the rearing of game, when +fit for farm pasturage or tillage, is unprofitable, generally, with us; +but there are thousands of acres barren for other purposes, that might +be devoted to the breeding and pasturage of rabbits, and which, by thus +appropriating them, might be turned to profitable account. All the +preparation required is, to enclose the ground with a high and nearly +close paling fence, and the erection of a few rude hutches inside, for +winter shelter and the storage of their food. They will burrow into the +ground, and breed with great rapidity; and in the fall and winter +seasons, they will be fat for market with the food they gather from the +otherwise worthless soil over which they run. Rocky, bushy, and +evergreen grounds, either hill, dale, or plain, are good for them, +wherever the soils are dry and friable. The rabbit is a gross feeder, +living well on what many grazing animals reject, and gnawing down all +kinds of bushes, briars, and noxious weeds. + +The common domestic rabbits are probably the best for market purposes, +and were they to be made an object of attention, immense tracts of +mountain land in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the New York and New +England highlands could be made available for this object. + +Some may think this a small business. So is making pins, and rearing +chickens, and bees. But there are an abundance of people, whose age and +capacity are just fitted for it, and for want of other employment are a +charge upon their friends or the public; and now, when our cities and +large towns are so readily reached by railroads from all parts of the +country, our farmers should study to apply their land to the production +of everything that will find a profitable market. Things unthought of, +a few years ago, now find a large consumption in our large cities and +towns, by the aid of railroads; and we know of no good reason, why this +production and traffic should not continue to an indefinite extent. When +the breeding of rabbits is commenced, get a good treatise on the +breeding and rearing of them, which may be found at many of the +bookstores. + +As the rearing of rabbits, and their necessary accommodation, is not a +subject to which we have given much personal attention, we applied to +Francis Rotch, Esq., of Morris, Otsego county, New York, who is probably +the most accomplished rabbit "fancier" in the United States, for +information, with which he has kindly furnished us. His beautiful and +high-bred animals have won the highest premiums, at the shows of the New +York State Agricultural Society. He thus answers: + + "I now forward you the promised plan from Mr. Alfred Rodman, of + Dedham, Massachusetts, which, I think, will give you the information + you wish upon these subjects. + + "Rabbits kept for profit in the vicinity of a city, and where there + are mills, may be raised at a very small cost; and when once known + as an article of food, will be liberally paid for by the epicure, + for their meat is as delicate as a chicken's, and their fat mild, + and very rich. + + "I am surprised they are not more generally kept, as a source of + amusement, and for the purposes of experiment. + + "There is, I think, in many, a natural fondness for animals, but not + easily indulged without more room than is often to be found in city + residences. Fowls, and pigeons, trespass on our neighbors, and are a + frequent cause of trouble. This objection does not hold good against + the rabbit, which occupies so small a space, that where there is an + outhouse there may be a rabbitry. _English_ children are encouraged + in their fondness for animals, as tending to good morals and good + feelings, and as offering a _home_ amusement, in contradistinction + to _street_ associations." + + [Illustration: Drawn from life, by Mr. FRANCIS ROTCH.] + +Mr. Rotch continues: + + "I have just finished the enclosed drawing of a 'fancy rabbit,' + which I hope will answer your purpose, as an illustration of what + the little animal should be in form, color, marking, and carriage, + according to the decisions of the various societies in and out of + London, who are its greatest admirers and patrons. These amateurs + hold frequent meetings for its exhibition, at which premiums are + awarded, and large prizes paid for such specimens as come up to + their standard of excellence. This standard is, of course, + conventional; and, as might be expected, is a combination of form + and color very difficult to obtain--based, it is true, on the most + correct principles of general breeding; but much of _fancy_ and + beauty is added to complete the requisites of a prize rabbit. For + instance, the head must be small and clean; the shoulders wide and + full; the chest broad and deep; the back wide, and the loin large. + Thus far, these are the characteristics of all really _good_ and + _improved_ animals; to which are to be added, on the score of + 'fancy,' an eye round, full, and bright; an ear _long_, broad, and + pendant, of a soft, delicate texture, dropping nearly + perpendicularly by the side of the head--this is termed its + 'carriage.' The color must be in rich, unmixed _masses_ on the body, + spreading itself over the back, side, and haunch, but breaking into + spots and patches on the shoulder, called the 'chain;' while that on + the back is known as the 'saddle.' The head must be full of color, + broken with white on the forehead and cheeks; the marking over the + bridge of the nose and down on both sides into the lips, should be + dark, and in shape somewhat resembling a butterfly, from which this + mark takes its name; the ear, however, must be uniform in color. Add + to all this, a large, full dewlap, and you will have a rabbit fit to + '_go in and win_.' + + "The most esteemed colors are black and white; yellow and white; + tortoise-shell and white; blue and white, and gray and white. These + are called 'broken colors,' while those of _one_ uniform color are + called 'selfs.'" + +It will be observed that Mr. Rotch here describes a beautiful "fancy" +variety of "lop-eared" rabbits, which he brought from England a few +years since. They were, originally, natives of Madagascar. He continues: + + "The domestic rabbit, in all its varieties, has always been, and + still is, a great favorite, in many parts of the European continent: + + "In Holland, it is bred with reference to color only, which must be + a pure white, with dark ears, feet, legs, and tail; this + distribution has a singular effect, but, withal, it is a pretty + little creature. The French breed a long, rangy animal, of great + _apparent_ size, but deficient in depth and breadth, and of course, + wanting in constitution; no attention is paid to color, and its + marking is matter of accident. The White Angola, with its beautiful + long fur and red eyes, is also a great favorite in France. + + "In England, the rabbit formerly held the rank of 'farm stock!' and + thousands of acres were exclusively devoted to its production; + families were supported, and rents, rates, and taxes were paid from + its increase and sale. The '_gray-skins_' went to the hatter, the + '_silver-skins_' were shipped to China, and were dressed as furs; + while the flesh was a favorite dish at home. This was the course + pursued in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and many other counties, with + their light sandy soils, before the more general introduction of + root culture, and the rotation of crops, gave an increased value to + such land. Since then, however, I remember visiting a farm of Lord + Onslow's, in Surrey, containing about 1,400 acres. It was in the + occupation of an eminent flock-master and agriculturist, who kept + some hundreds of hutched rabbits for the sake of their manure, which + he applied to his turnep crop; added to this, their skins and + carcasses were quite an item of profit, notwithstanding the care of + them required an old man and boy, with a donkey and cart. The food + used was chiefly brewer's grains, miller's waste, bran and hay, with + clover and roots, the cost of keeping not exceeding two pence a + week. The hutches stood under a long shed, open on all sides, for + the greater convenience of cleaning and feeding. I was told that the + manure was much valued by the market gardeners round London, who + readily paid 2s. 6d. a bushel at the rabbitries. These rabbitries + are very numerous in all the towns and cities of England, and form a + source of amusement or profit to all classes, from the man of + fortune to the day laborer. Nor is it unfrequent that this latter + produces a rabbit from an old tea-chest, or dry-goods box, that wins + the prize from its competitor of the mahogany hutch or ornamental + rabbitry. + + "The food of the rabbit embraces great variety, including grain of + all kinds, bran, pea-chaff, miller's waste, brewer's grains, clover + and other hay, and the various weeds known as plantain, dock, + mallow, dandelion, purslain, thistles, &c., &c. + + "The rabbit thus easily conforms itself to the means, condition, and + circumstances of its owner; occupies but little space, breeds often, + comes early to maturity, and is withal, a healthy animal, requiring + however, to be kept clean, and to be _cautiously_ fed with + _succulent_ food, which must always be free from dew or rain--water + is unnecessary to them when fed with 'greens.' My own course of + feeding is, one gill of oats in the morning, with a medium-sized + cabbage leaf, or what I may consider its _equivalent_ in any other + vegetable food, for the rabbit in confinement must be, as already + stated, cautiously fed with what is succulent. At noon, I feed a + handfull of cut hay or clover chaff, and in the evening the same as + in the morning. To does, when suckling, I give what they will eat of + both green and dry food. The cost to me is about three cents per + week, per head. + + "I by no means recommend this as the best, or the most economical + mode of feeding, but it happens to suit my convenience. Were I in a + town, or near mills, I should make use of other and cheaper + substitutes. My young rabbits, when taken from the doe, say at + eight, ten, or twelve weeks old, are turned out together till about + six months old, when it becomes necessary to take them up, and put + them in separate hutches, to prevent their fighting and destroying + each other. The doe at that age is ready to breed; her period of + gestation is about thirty-one or two days, and she produces from + three or four to a dozen young at a 'litter'. It is not well to let + her raise more than six, or even four at once--the fewer, the larger + and finer the produce. + + "Young rabbits are killed for the table at any age, from twelve + weeks to twelve months old, and are a very acceptable addition to + the country larder. The male is not allowed to remain with the doe, + lest he should destroy the young ones. + + "Hutches are made singly, or in stacks, to suit the apartment, which + should be capable of thorough ventilation. The best size is about + three feet long, two feet deep, and fourteen inches high, with a + small apartment partitioned off from one end, nearly a foot wide, + as a breeding place for the doe. A wire door forms the front, and an + opening is left behind for cleaning; the floor should have a descent + to the back of the hutch of two inches. All edges should be tinned, + to save them from being gnawed. + + "Having now given the leading characteristics and qualities which + constitute a good 'fancy lop-eared rabbit,' and its general + management, allow me to remark on the striking difference observable + between Americans and the people of many other countries, as to a + fondness for animals, or what are termed 'fancy pets,' of and for + which we, as a people, know and care very little. Indeed, we + scarcely admit more than a selfish fellowship with the dog, and but + too seldom does our attachment even for this faithful companion, + place him beyond the reach of the _omnipotent dollar_. + + "The operatives, mechanics, and laborers, in other countries, seem + to have a perfect passion for such pursuits, and take the greatest + interest and pride in breeding and perfecting the lesser animals, + though often obliged to toil for the very food they feed to them. + Here, too, home influences are perceived to be good, and are + encouraged by the employer, as supplying the place of other and much + more questionable pursuits and tastes." + +We here present the elevation, and floor plan of Mr. Rodman's rabbitry, +together with the front and rear views of the hutches within them: + + [Illustration: ELEVATION. MAIN FLOOR PLAN.] + +No. 1 is the gable end elevation of the building, with a door and +window. + +No. 2 is the main-floor plan, or living room for the rabbits. + +EXPLANATION. + +A, the doe's hutches, with nest boxes attached. B, hutches three feet +long, with movable partitions for the young rabbits; the two lower +hutches are used for the stock bucks. C, a tier of grain boxes on the +floor for feeding the rabbits--the covers sloping out toward the room. +D, small trapdoor, leading into the manure cellar beneath. E, large +trapdoor leading into root cellar. F, troughs for leading off urine from +rear of hutches into the manure cellar at K, K. G, wooden trunk leading +from chamber above No. 3, through this into manure cellar. H, trap +opening into manure cellar. I, stairs leading into loft No. 3, with +hinged trapdoor overhead; when open, it will turn up against the wall, +and leave a passage to clear out the hutches. + +NOTE.--The grain boxes are one foot high in front, and fifteen inches at +the back, with sloping bottoms, and sloping covers. The floors of the +hutches have a slope of two inches back. The hutches are furnished, at +the back of the floor, with pieces of zinc, to keep them free from the +drippings from above. The hutches are 16 inches high, 3 feet long, and 2 +feet deep. + +The foregoing plans and explanations might perhaps be sufficient for the +guidance of such as wish to construct a rabbitry for their own use; but +as a complete arrangement of all the rooms which may be conveniently +appropriated to this object, to make it a complete thing, may be +acceptable to the reader, we conclude, even at the risk of prolixity, +to insert the upper loft, and cellar apartments, with which we have been +furnished; hoping that our youthful friends will set themselves about +the construction of a branch of rural employment so home-attaching in +its associations. + + [Illustration: LOFT OR GARRET.] + +No. 3 is the loft or chamber story, next above the main floor. + +EXPLANATION. + +A, place for storing hay. B, stairs leading from below. C, room for +young rabbits. D, trapdoor into trunk leading to manure cellar. +E, partition four feet high. This allows of ventilation between the two +windows, in summer, which would be cut off, were the partition carried +all the way up. + + [Illustration: CELLAR.] + +No. 4 is the cellar under the rabbitry. + +EXPLANATION. + +A, manure cellar. B, root cellar. C, stairs leading to first, or main +floor. D, stairs leading outside. E, window--lighting both rooms of +cellar. + +No. 5 is a front section of rabbit hutches, eight in number, two in a +line, four tiers high, one above another, with wire-screened doors, +hinges, and buttons for fastening. A, the grain trough, is at the +bottom. + +No. 6 is the floor section of the hutches, falling, as before mentioned, +two inches from front to rear. + + [Illustration: FRONT OF HUTCH. REAR OF HUTCH.] + +A, is the door to lift up, for cleaning out the floors. B, is the zinc +plate, to carry off the urine and _running_ wash of the floors. C, is +the trough for carrying off this offal into the manure cellars, through +the trunk, as seen in No. 2. + +No. 7 is a rear section of hutches, same as in No. 5, with the waste +trough at the bottom leading into the trench before described, with the +cross section, No. 8, before described in No. 6. + +A, a grated door at the back of the hutch, for ventilation in summer, +and covered with a thin board in winter. B, a flap-door, four inches +wide, which is raised for cleaning out the floor; under this door is a +space of one inch, for passing out the urine of the rabbits. C, are +buttons for fastening the doors. D, the backs of the bedrooms, without +any passage out on back side. + +This matter of the rabbitry, and its various explanations, may be +considered by the plain, matter-of-fact man, as below the dignity of +people pursuing the _useful_ and _money-making_ business of life. Very +possible. But many boys--for whose benefit they are chiefly +introduced--and _men_, even, may do worse than to spend their time in +such apparent trifles. It is better than going to a horse-race. It is +better even than going to a trotting match, where _fast men_, as well as +_fast_ horses congregate. It is better, too, than a thousand other +places where boys _want_ to go, when they have nothing to interest them +at home. + +One half of the farmer's boys, who, discontented at home, leave it for +something more congenial to their feelings and tastes, do so simply +because of the excessive dullness, and want of interest in objects to +attract them there, and keep them contented. Boys, in America at least, +are apt to be _smart_. So their parents think, at all events; and too +smart they prove, to stay at home, and follow the beaten track of their +fathers, as their continual migration from the paternal roof too plainly +testifies. This, in many cases, is the fault of the parents themselves, +because they neglect those little objects of interest to which the minds +and tastes of their sons are inclined, and for want of which they +_imagine_ more attractive objects abroad, although in the search they +often fail in finding them. We are a progressive people. Our children +are not always content to be what their fathers are; and parents must +yield a little to "the spirit of the age" in which they live. And boys +_pay_ too, as they go along, if properly treated. They should be made +companions, not servants. Many a joyous, hearty spirit, who, when +properly encouraged, comes out a whole man at one-and-twenty, if kept in +curb, and harnessed down by a hard parent, leaves the homestead, with a +curse and a kick, determined, whether in weal or in woe, never to +return. Under a different course of treatment, he would have fixed his +home either at his birthplace, or in its immediate vicinity, and in a +life of frugality, usefulness, and comparative ease, blessed his +parents, his neighborhood, and possibly the world, with a useful +example--all, perhaps, grown out of his youthful indulgence in the +possession of a rabbit-warren, or some like trifling matter. + +This may appear to be small morals, as well as small business. We admit +it. But those who have been well, and indulgently, as well as +methodically trained, may look back and see the influence which all such +little things had upon their early thoughts and inclinations; and thus +realize the importance of providing for the amusements and pleasures of +children in their early years. The dovecote, the rabbitry, the +poultry-yard, the sheep-fold, the calf-pen, the piggery, the young colt +of a favorite mare, the yoke of yearling steers, or a fruit tree which +they have planted, and nursed, and called it, or the fruit it bears, +_their own_,--anything, in fact, which they can call _theirs_--are so +many objects to bind boys to their homes, and hallow it with a thousand +nameless blessings and associations, known only to those who have been +its recipients. Heaven's blessings be on the family homestead! + + "Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home!" + +sung the imaginary maid of Milan, the beautiful creation of John Howard +Payne, when returning from the glare and pomp of the world, to her +native cottage in the mountains of Switzerland. And, although all out of +date, and conventionally vulgar this sentiment may be _now_ considered, +such is, or should be the subdued, unsophisticated feeling of all +natives of the farm house, and the country cottage. We may leave the +quiet roof of our childhood; we may mix in the bustling contentions of +the open world; we may gain its treasures; we may enjoy its greatness, +its honors, and its applause; but there are times when they will all +fade into nothing, in comparison with the peace, and quietude, and +tranquil happiness of a few acres of land, a comfortable roof, and +contentment therewith! + + + + +DAIRY BUILDINGS. + + +Wherever the dairy is made an important branch of farm production, +buildings for its distinct accommodation are indispensable. The dairy is +as much a _manufactory_ as a cotton mill, and requires as much +conveniences in its own peculiar line. We therefore set apart a +building, on purpose for its objects; and either for cheese, or butter, +separate conveniences are alike required. We commence with the + + + [Illustration: CHEESE DAIRY HOUSE.] + +CHEESE DAIRY HOUSE. + +This building is one and a half stories high, with a broad, spreading +roof of 45deg pitch; the ground plan is 10 feet between joists, and the +posts 16 feet high. An ice-house, made on the plan already described, is +at one end, and a wood-shed at the opposite end, of the same size. This +building is supposed to be erected near the milking sheds of the farm, +and in contiguity to the feeding troughs of the cows, or the piggery, +and adapted to the convenience of feeding the whey to whichever of these +animals the dairyman may select, as both, or either are required to +consume it; and to which it may be conveyed in spouts from the +dairy-room. + + +INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. + +The front door is protected by a light porch, (_a_,) entering by a door, +(_b_,) the main dairy room. The cheese presses, (_c_, _c_,) occupy the +left end of the room, between which a passage leads through a door, +(_l_,) into the wood-shed, (_h_,) open on all sides, with its roof +resting on four posts set in the ground. The large cheese-table, (_d_,) +stands on the opposite end, and is 3 feet wide. In the center of the +room is a chimney, (_e_,) with a whey and water boiler, and vats on each +side. A flight of stairs, (_f_,) leading into the storage room above, +is in the rear. A door, (_b_,) on the extreme right, leads into the +ice-house, (_g_.) There are four windows to the room--two on each side, +front and rear. In the loft are placed the shelves for storing the +cheese, as soon as sufficiently prepared on the temporary table below. +This loft is thoroughly ventilated by windows, and the heat of the sun +upon it ripens the cheese rapidly for market. A trapdoor, through the +floors, over which is hung a tackle, admits the cheese from below, or +passes it down, when prepared for market. + +The cheese house should, if possible, be placed on a sloping bank, when +it is designed to feed the whey to pigs; and even when it is fed to +cows, it is more convenient to pass it to them on a lower level, than to +carry it out in buckets. It may, however, if on level ground, be +discharged into vats, in a cellar below, and pumped out as wanted. +A cellar is convenient--indeed, almost indispensable--under the cheese +dairy; and water should be so near as to be easily pumped, or drawn, +into the vats and kettles used in running up the curd, or for washing +the utensils used in the work. When the milk is kept over night, for the +next morning's curd, temporary tables may be placed near the ice-room, +to hold the pans or tubs in which it may be set, and the ice used to +temper the milk to the proper degree for raising the cream. If the dairy +be of such extent as to require larger accommodation than the plan here +suggested, a room or two may be partitioned off from the main milk and +pressing-room, for washing the vessels and other articles employed, and +for setting the milk. Every facility should be made for neatness in all +the operations connected with the work. + +Different accommodations are required, for making the different kinds of +cheese which our varied markets demand, and in the fitting up of the +dairy-house, no _positive_ plan of arrangement can be laid down, suited +alike to all the work which may be demanded. The dairyman, therefore, +will best arrange all these for the particular convenience which he +requires. The main plan, and style of building however, we think will be +generally approved, as being in an agreeable architectural style, and of +convenient construction and shape for the objects intended. + + +THE BUTTER DAIRY. + +This, if pursued on the same farm with the cheese dairy, and at +different seasons of the year, may be carried on in the lower parts of +the same building. But as it is usually a distinct branch of business, +when prosecuted as the chief object on a farm, it should have +accommodations of its own kind, which should be fitted up specially for +that purpose. + +We cannot, perhaps, suggest a better model of a building for the butter +dairy, than the one just submitted for the cheese-house, only that there +is no necessity for the upper story; and the posts of the main building +should not stand more than nine feet above the sills. A good, walled +cellar, well lighted, as a room for setting the milk, is indispensable, +with a broad, open flight of steps, from the main floor above, into it. +Here, too, should stand the stone slabs, where the butter is worked, and +the churns, to be driven by hand, or water, or animal power, as the two +latter may be provided, and introduced into the building by belt, shaft, +or crank. If running water can be brought on to the milk-shelves, from +a higher level, which, for this purpose, should have curbs two or three +inches high on their sides, it can flow in a constant gentle current +over them, among the pans, from a receiving vat, in which ice is +deposited, to keep the milk at the proper temperature--about 55deg +Fahrenheit--for raising the cream; and if the quantity of milk be large, +the shelves can be so arranged, by placing each tier of shelf lower than +the last, like steps, that the water may pass among them all before it +escapes from the room. Such a mode of applying water and ice, renders +the entire process of cream-rising almost certain in all weathers, and +is highly approved wherever it has been practiced. The low temperature +of the room, by the aid of water and ice, is also beneficial to the +butter packed in kegs, keeping it cool and sweet--as much like a +spring-house as possible, in its operation. + +The washing and drying of pans, buckets, churns, and the heating of +water, should all be done in the room above, where the necessary kettles +are set, and kept from contact with the cool atmosphere of the lower +room. The latter apartment should have a well-laid stone or brick floor, +filled and covered with a strong cement of water lime, and sloping +gradually to the outer side, where all the water may pass off by a +drain, and everything kept sweet and clean. The buttermilk may, as in +the case of the whey, in the cheese dairy, be passed off in spouts to +the pigsty, which should not be far distant. + +As all this process of arrangement, however, must conform somewhat to +the shape of the ground, the locality, and the facilities at hand where +it may be constructed; it is hardly possible to give any one system of +detail which is applicable to an uniform mode of structure; and much +will be left to the demands and the skill of the dairyman himself, in +the plan he may finally adopt. + + + + +THE WATER RAM. + + +As water, and that of a good quality, and in abundant quantity, is +indispensable to the various demands of the farm, it is worth some pains +to provide it in the most economical manner, and at the most convenient +points for use. In level grounds, wells are generally dug, and the water +drawn up by buckets or pumps. In a hilly country, springs, and streams +from higher grounds, may be brought in by the aid of pipes, the water +flowing naturally, under its own head, wherever it may be wanted, away +from its natural stream. + + [Illustration: WATER RAM.] + +But, of all contrivances to elevate water from a _lower_ fountain, or +current, to a _higher_ level, by its _own action_, the Water Ram is the +most complete in its operation, and perfect in its construction, of +anything within our knowledge. And as it may not be generally known to +our readers, at our request, Messrs. A. B. ALLEN & CO., of New York--who +keep them of all sizes for sale, at their agricultural warehouse, No's. +189 and 191, Water-street--have kindly furnished us with the following +description of the machine, given by W. & B. Douglass, of Middletown, +Connecticut, manufacturers of the article: + + "H, spring or brook. C, drive, or supply-pipe, from brook to ram. + G, discharge pipe, conveying water to house or other point required + for use. B, D, A, E, I, the Ram. J, the plank or other foundation to + which the machine is secured for use. + + "The various uses of the ram are at once obvious, viz., for the + purposes of irrigating lands, and supplying dwellings, barnyards, + gardens, factories, villages, engines, railroad stations, &c., with + running water. + + "The simplicity of the operation of this machine, together with its + effectiveness, and very apparent durability, renders it decidedly + the most important and valuable apparatus yet developed in + hydraulics, for forcing a portion of a running stream of water to + any elevation, proportionate to the fall obtained. It is perfectly + applicable where no more than eighteen inches fall can be had; yet, + the greater the fall applied, the more powerful the operation of the + machine, and the higher the water may be conveyed. The relative + proportions between the water raised, and wasted, is dependent + entirely upon the relative height of the spring or source of supply + above the ram, and the elevation to which it is required to be + raised. The quantity raised varying in proportion to the height to + which it is conveyed, with a given fall; also, the distance which + the water has to be conveyed, and consequent length of pipe, has + some bearing on the quantity of water raised and discharged by the + ram; as, the longer the pipe through which the water has to be + forced by the machine, the greater the friction to be overcome, and + the more the power consumed in the operation; yet, it is common to + apply the ram for conveying the water distances of one and two + hundred rods, and up elevations of one and two hundred feet. Ten + feet fall from the spring, or brook, to the ram, is abundantly + sufficient for forcing up the water to any elevation under say one + hundred and fifty feet in height, above the level of the point where + the ram is located; and the same ten feet fall will raise the water + to a much higher point than above last named, although in a + _diminished_ quantity, in proportion as the height is increased. + When a sufficient quantity of water is raised with a given fall, + it is not advisable to increase said fall, as in so doing the force + with which the ram works is increased, and the amount of labor which + it has to perform greatly augmented, the wear and tear of the + machine proportionably increased, and the durability of the same + lessened; so that economy, in the expense of keeping the ram in + repair, would dictate that no greater fall should be applied, for + propelling the ram, than is sufficient to raise a requisite supply + of water to the place of use. To enable any person to make the + calculation, as to what fall would be sufficient to apply to the + ram, to raise a sufficient supply of water to his premises, we would + say, that in conveying it any ordinary distance, of say fifty or + sixty rods, it may be safely calculated that about one-seventh part + of the water can be raised and discharged at an elevation above the + ram five times as high as the fall which is applied to the ram, or + one-fourteenth part can be raised and discharged, say ten times as + high as the fall applied; and so in that proportion, as the fall or + rise is varied. Thus, if the ram be placed under a head or fall of + five feet, of every seven gallons drawn from the spring, one may be + raised twenty-five feet, or half a gallon fifty feet. Or with ten + feet fall applied to the machine, of every fourteen gallons drawn + from the spring, one gallon may be raised to the height of one + hundred feet above the machine; and so in like proportion, as the + fall or rise is increased or diminished. + + "It is presumed that the above illustrations of what the machine + will do under certain heads and rise, will be sufficient for all + practical purposes, to enable purchasers of the article to + determine, with a sufficient degree of nicety, as to the head or + fall to apply to the ram for a given rise and distance, which they + may wish to overcome in raising water from springs or brooks to + their premises, or other places where water is required. Yet, we + have the pleasure of copying the following article, which we find in + the 'American Agriculturist,' a very valuable journal published by + C. M. Saxton, 152 Fulton-street, New York, which may serve to + corroborate our statements as to what our ram will accomplish under + given circumstances: + + "'The following is a correct statement of a water ram I have had in + successful operation for the last six months: + + "'1. The fall from the surface of the water in the spring is four + feet. 2. The quantity of water delivered per ten minutes, at my + house, is three and a quarter gallons, and that discharged at the + ram twenty-five gallons. Thus, nearly one-seventh part of the water + is saved. 3. The perpendicular height of the place of delivery above + the ram is nineteen feet--say fifteen feet above the surface of the + spring. 4. The length of the pipe leading from the ram to the house + is one hundred and ninety feet. 5. The pipe leading from the ram to + the house has three right angles, rounded by curves. 6. The ram is + of Douglass' make, of a small size. 7. The length of the drive or + supply-pipe is sixty feet. Its inner diameter one inch. 8. The depth + of water in the spring, over the drive pipe, is six inches. 9. The + inner diameter of the pipe, conducting the water from the ram to the + house, is three-eighths of an inch. + + "'I consider it very essential that the drive or supply-pipe should + be laid as straight as possible, as in the motion of the water in + this pipe consists the power of the ram. + + V. H. HALLOCK. + + North-East Center, N.Y., April 2d, 1849.'" + +We have seen several of these rams at work; and in any place where the +required amount of fall can be had, with sufficient water to supply the +demand, we are entirely satisfied that no plan so cheap and efficient +can be adopted, by which to throw it to a higher level, and at a +distance from the point of its flow. We heartily commend it to all who +need a thing of the kind, and have at hand the facilities in the way of +a stream for its use. + +It is hardly worth while to add, that by the aid of the ram, water can +be thrown into every room in the dwelling house, as well as into the +various buildings, and yards, and fields of the farm, wherever it may be +required. + + + + +RAT-PROOF GRANARY. + + +This plan, and description, we take from an agricultural periodical +published in New York--"The Plow." We can recommend no plan of a better +kind for the objects required. It is an old-fashioned structure, which +many of our readers will recognize--only, that it is improved in some of +its details. + + [Illustration: GRANARY] + +The illustration above needs but little description. The posts should be +stone, if procurable, one foot square, and four feet long, set one-third +in the ground, and capped with smooth flat stones, four to six inches +thick, and two feet, at least, across. If wooden posts are used, make +them sixteen inches square, and set them in a hole previously filled, +six inches deep, with charcoal, or rubble stone and lime grouting, and +fill around the posts with the same. Four inches from the top, nail on a +flange of tin or sheet iron, six inches wide, the projecting edge of +which may be serrated, as a further preventive against the depredating +rascals creeping around. The steps are hinged to the door-sill, and +should have a cord and weight attached to the door, so that whenever it +is shut, the steps should be up also; this would prevent the possibility +of carelessness in leaving them down for the rats to walk up. The sides +should be made of slats, with large cracks between, and the floor under +the corn-crib, with numerous open joints; no matter if shattered corn +falls through, let the pigs and chickens have it; the circulation of the +air through the pile of corn, will more than pay for all you will lose +through the floor. If you intend to have sweet grain, be sure to have a +ventilator in the roof, and you may see by the vane on the top of it, +how the wind will always blow favorably for you. + + + + +IMPROVED DOMESTIC ANIMALS. + + +Having completed the series of subjects which we had designed for this +work, we are hardly content to send it out to the public, without +inviting the attention of our farmers, and others who dwell in the +country and occupy land, to the importance of surrounding themselves +with the best breeds of domestic animals, as an item of increased profit +in their farm management, and as a subject of interest and satisfaction +to themselves in the embellishment of their grounds. + +We have addressed ourselves through these pages to the good sense of men +who, in their general character and pursuits, comprise the most stable +class of our population. We have endeavored to impress upon them the +importance of providing all the conveniences and comforts to themselves, +in their dwellings, as well as the due provision for their animals and +crops, in the rougher farm buildings, which their circumstances will +admit; and we trust they have been shown that it is proper economy so to +do. We have, in addition to these, somewhat dilated upon objects of +embellishment, in the way of grounds to surround them, and trees to +beautify them, which will in no way interfere with a just economy, and +add greatly to the pleasure and interest of their occupation. We now +want them to introduce into those grounds such domestic animals as shall +add to their ornament, and be far more profitable to themselves, than +the inferior things which are called the common, or native stock of the +country. Without this last lesson, half our object would be lost. Of +what avail will be the best provision for the conveniences of a family, +and the labors of the farm, if the farm be badly cultivated, and a +worthless or inferior stock be kept upon it? The work is but half done +at best; and the inferiority of the last will only become more +conspicuous and contemptible, in contrast with the superior condition of +the first. + +It is not intended to go into an examination of the farm-stock of our +country at large, nor into their modes of treatment; but, to recommend +such varieties of animals as are profitable in their breeding and +keeping, both to the professional farmer in his vocation, and to such +as, beyond this, find them an object of convenience, or of pleasure. + +We, in America, are comparatively a young people. Yet, we have +surmounted _necessity_. We have arrived at the period when we enjoy the +fruits of competence--some of us, the luxuries of wealth. A taste for +superior domestic animals has been increasing, and spreading over the +United States for many years past; so that now, a portion of our farmers +and country people understand somewhat of the subject. It has been +thoroughly demonstrated, that good farm stock is better, and more +profitable than poor stock. Still, a taste for good stock, and the +advantages of keeping them, over the common stock of the country, is not +_generally_ understood; and that taste has to be cultivated. It is not +altogether a thing of nature, any more than other faculties which +require the aid of education to develope. We have known many people who +had a fine perception in many things: an eye for a fine house, pleasant +grounds, beautiful trees, and all the surroundings which such a place +might command; and when these were complete, would place about it the +veriest brutes, in the way of domestic animals, imaginable. The resident +of the city, who lives at his country-house in summer, and selects a +picture of mean or inferior quality, to hang up in his house by way of +ornament, would be laughed at by his friends; yet he may drive into his +grounds the meanest possible creature, in the shape of a cow, a pig, +or a sheep, and it is all very well--for neither he nor they know any +better; yet, the one is quite as much out of place as the other. The +man, too, who, in good circumstances, will keep and drive a miserable +horse, is the ridicule of his neighbors, because everybody knows what a +good horse is, and that he should be well kept. Yet, the other stock on +his farm may be the meanest trash in existence, and it creates no +remark. On the contrary, one who at any _extra_ cost has supplied +himself with stock of the choicer kinds, let their superiority be ever +so apparent, has often been the subject of ribaldry, by his unthinking +associates. And such, we are sorry to say, is still the case in too many +sections of our country. But, on the whole, both our public spirit, and +our intelligence, is increasing, in such things. + +Now, we hold it to be a _practical_ fact, that no farm, or country +place, can be complete in its appointments, without good stock upon it; +and it is useless for any one to suppose that his farm, or his place, is +_finished_, without it. The man who has a fine lawn, of any extent, +about his house, or a park adjoining, should have something to graze +it--for he cannot afford to let it lie idle; nor is it worth while, even +if he can afford it, to be mowing the grass in it every fortnight during +the summer, to make it sightly. Besides this, grass will grow under the +trees, and that too thin, and short, for cutting. This ground must, of +course, be pastured. Now, will he go and get a parcel of mean scrubs of +cattle, or sheep, to graze it, surrounding his very door, and disgracing +him by their vulgar, plebeian looks, and yielding him no return, in +either milk, beef, mutton, or wool? Of course not, if he be a wise, or a +provident man, or one who has any true taste in such matters. He will +rather go and obtain the best stock he can get, of breeds suited to the +climate, and soil, which will give him a profitable return, either in +milk, or flesh, or their increase, for his outlay; and which will also +embellish his grounds, and create an interest in his family for their +care, and arrest the attention of those who visit him, or pass by his +grounds. Of the proper selection of this branch of his stock, we shall +now discourse. + + [Illustration] + +In cattle, if your grounds be rich, and your grass abundant, the +short-horns are the stock for them. They are "the head and front," +in appearance, size, and combination of good qualities--the very +aristocracy of all neat cattle. A well-bred, and well developed +short-horn cow, full in the qualities which belong to her character, +is the very perfection of her kind. Her large, square form; fine orange, +russet, or nut-colored muzzle; bright, prominent, yet mild, expressive +eye; small, light horn; thin ears; clean neck; projecting brisket; deep, +and broad chest; level back, and loin; broad hips; large, and +well-spread udder, with its silky covering of hair, and clean, taper, +wide-standing teats, giving twenty to thirty quarts of rich milk in a +day; deep thigh, and twist; light tail; small, short legs; and, added to +this, her brilliant and ever-varying colors of all, and +every-intermingling shades of red, and white, or either of them alone; +such, singly, or in groups, standing quietly under the shade of trees, +grazing in the open field, or quietly resting upon the grass, are the +very perfection of a cattle picture, and give a grace and beauty to the +grounds which no living thing can equal. Here stands a short-horn cow, +in all the majesty of her style and character! + +We add, also, a short-horn bull, which exhibits, in a high degree, the +vigor, stamina, and excellence of his kind. + +Nor, in this laudation of the short-horns, are we at all mistaken. +Go into the luxuriant blue-grass pastures of Kentucky; the rich, and +wide-spread grazing regions of central, and lower Ohio; the prairies of +Indiana, and Illinois, just now beginning to receive them; the sweet, +and succulent pastures of central and western New York, or on the Hudson +river; and now and then, a finely-cultivated farm in other sections of +the United States, where their worth has become established; and they +present pictures of thrift, of excellence, of beauty, and of profit, +that no other neat cattle can pretend to equal. + +As a family cow, nothing can excel the short-horn, in the abundance and +richness of her milk, and in the profit she will yield to her owner; +and, on every place where she can be supplied with abundance of food, +she stands without a rival. From the short-horns, spring those +magnificent fat oxen and steers, which attract so much admiration, and +carry off the prizes, at our great cattle shows. Thousands of them, of +less or higher grade in blood, are fed every year, in the Scioto, the +Miami, and the other great feeding valleys of the west, and in the +fertile corn regions of Kentucky, and taken to the New York and +Philadelphia markets. As a profitable beast to the grazier, and the +feeder, nothing can equal them in early maturity and excellence. For +this purpose, the short-horns are steadily working their way all over +the vast cattle-breeding regions of the west; and, for the richness and +abundance of her milk, the cow is eagerly introduced into the dairy, and +milk-producing sections of the other states, where she will finally take +rank, and maintain her superiority over all others, on rich and +productive soils. + + [Illustration: DEVON COW. DEVON BULL.] + +On lighter soils, with shorter pastures; or on hilly and stony grounds, +another race of cattle may be kept, better adapted to such localities, +than those just described. They are the Devons--also an English breed, +and claimed there as an aboriginal race in England; and if any variety +of cattle, exhibiting the blood-like beauty, and fineness of limb, the +deep, uniformity of color, and the gazelle-like brilliancy of their eye, +can claim a remote ancestry, and a pure descent, the Devons can make +such claim, beyond almost any other. They were introduced--save now and +then an isolated animal at an earlier day--into the United States some +thirty-two or three years ago, about the same time with the short-horns; +and like them, have been added to, and improved by frequent importations +since; until now, probably our country will show some specimens equal in +quality to their high general character in the land of their nativity. +Unlike the short-horn, the Devon is a much lighter animal, with a like +fine expression of countenance; an elevated horn; more agile in form; +yet finer in limb, and bone; a deep mahogany-red in color; and of a +grace, and beauty in figure excelled by no other breed whatever. The +Devon cow is usually a good milker, for her size; of quiet temper; +docile in her habits; a quick feeder; and a most satisfactory animal in +all particulars. From the Devons, spring those beautifully matched red +working-oxen, so much admired in our eastern states; the superiors to +which, in kindness, docility, endurance, quickness, and honesty of +labor, no country can produce. In the _quality_ of their beef, they are +unrivaled by any breed of cattle in the United States; but in their +early maturity for that purpose, are not equal to the short-horns. + +We here present a cut of a Devon cow; but with the remark, that she +presents a deficiency of bag, and stands higher on the leg, than she +ought to do; and her leanness in flesh gives her a less graceful +appearance than is her wont, when in good condition. + +We present, also, the cut of a Devon bull. This figure does not do him +full justice, the head being drawn in, to give the cut room on the page. + +Several beautiful herds of Devons are to be found in New York, in +Maryland, in Connecticut, and in Massachusetts; and some few in other +states, where they can be obtained by those who wish to purchase. And it +is a gratifying incident, to learn that both the breeds we have named +are increasing in demand, which has created a corresponding spirit in +those who breed them, to bestow their best attention in perfecting their +good qualities. + +Another branch of domestic stock should also excite the attention of +those who wish to embellish their grounds, as well as to improve the +quality of their mutton--obtaining, withal, a fleece of valuable wool. +These are the Southdown, and the Cotswold, Leicester, or other improved +breeds of long-wooled sheep. There is no more peaceful, or beautiful +small animal to be seen, in an open park, or pleasure ground, or in the +paddock of a farm, than these; and as they have been of late much sought +after, they will be briefly noticed. + + [Illustration: SOUTHDOWN RAM. SOUTHDOWN EWE.] + + [Illustration: LONG-WOOLED RAM. LONG-WOOLED EWE.] + +The Southdown, a cut of which we present, is a fine, compact, and solid +sheep, with dark face and legs; quiet in its habits, mild in +disposition, of a medium quality, and medium weight of fleece; and +yielding a kind of mutton unsurpassed in flavor and delicacy--equal, +in the estimation of many, to the finest venison. The carcass of a +Southdown wether, when well fatted, is large, weighing, at two to three +years old, a hundred to a hundred and twenty pounds. The ewe is a +prolific breeder, and a good nurse. They are exceedingly hardy, and will +thrive equally well in all climates, and on all our soils, where they +can live. There is no other variety of sheep which has been bred to that +high degree of perfection, in England. The great Southdown breeder, Mr. +Webb, of Batraham, has often received as high as fifty, to one hundred +guineas, in a season, for the _use_ of a single ram. Such prices show +the estimation in which the best Southdowns are held there, as well as +their great popularity among the English farmers. They are extensively +kept in the parks, and pleasure grounds of the wealthy people, where +things of profit are usually connected with those devoted to luxury. + +For this cut of the Southdown ewe, we are indebted to the kindness of +Luther Tucker, Esq., of the Albany "Cultivator." + +The Cotswold, New Oxford, and Leicester sheep, of the long-wooled +variety, are also highly esteemed, in the same capacity as the +Southdowns. + +They are large; not so compactly built as the Southdowns; producing a +heavy fleece of long wool, mostly used for combing, and making into +worsted stuffs. They are scarcely so hardy, either, as the Southdowns; +nor are they so prolific. Still, they have many excellent qualities; and +although their mutton has not the fine grain, nor delicacy, of the +other, it is of enormous weight, when well fattened, and a most +profitable carcass. It has sometimes reached a weight of two hundred +pounds, when dressed. They are gentle, and quiet in their habits; white +in the face and legs; and show a fine and stately contrast to the +Southdowns, in their increased size, and breadth of figure. They +require, also, a somewhat richer pasture; but will thrive on any good +soil, yielding sweet grasses. For the cut of the Cotswold ewe, we are +also indebted to Mr. Tucker, of "The Cultivator." + +To show the contrast between the _common_ native sheep, and the improved +breeds, of which we have spoken, a true portrait of the former is +inserted, which will be readily recognized as the creature which +embellishes, in so high a degree, many of the wild nooks, and rugged +farms of the country! + + [Illustration: A COMMON SHEEP.] + +That the keeping of choice breeds of animals, and the cultivation of a +high taste for them, is no _vulgar_ matter, with even the most exalted +intellects, and of men occupying the most honorable stations in the +state, and in society; and that they concern the retired gentleman, as +well as the practical farmer, it is only necessary to refer to the many +prominent examples in Great Britain, and our own country, within the +last fifty years. + +The most distinguished noblemen of England, and Scotland, have long bred +the finest of cattle, and embellished their home parks with them. The +late Earl Spencer, one of the great patrons of agricultural improvement +in England, at his death owned a herd of two hundred of the highest bred +short-horns, which he kept on his home farm, at Wiseton. The Dukes of +Bedford, for the last century and a half, have made extraordinary +exertions to improve their several breeds of cattle. The late Earl of +Leicester, better known, perhaps, as Mr. Coke, of Holkham, and the most +celebrated farmer of his time, has been long identified with his large +and select herds of Devons, and his flocks of Southdowns. The Duke of +Richmond has his great park at Goodwood stocked with the finest +Southdowns, Short-horns, and Devons. Prince Albert, even, has caught the +infection of such liberal and useful example, and the royal park at +Windsor is tenanted with the finest farm stock, of many kinds; and he is +a constant competitor at the great Smithfield cattle shows, annually +held in London. Besides these, hundreds of the nobility, and wealthy +country gentlemen of Great Britain, every year compete with the +intelligent farmers, in their exhibitions of cattle, at the royal and +provincial shows, in England, Scotland, and Ireland. + +In the United States, Washington was a great promoter of improvement in +farm stock, and introduced on to his broad estate, at Mount Vernon, many +foreign animals, which he had sent out to him at great expense; and it +was his pride to show his numerous and distinguished guests, his horses, +cattle, sheep, and pigs. Henry Clay, of Kentucky, was among the first +promoters of the improvement of domestic animals in the fertile region, +of which his own favorite Ashland is the center; and to his continued +efforts in the breeding of the finest short-horns, and mules, is the +state of Kentucky greatly indebted for its reputation in these +descriptions of stock. Daniel Webster has introduced on to his estate, +at Marshfield, the finest cattle, and sheep suited to its soil and +climate, and takes much pride in showing their good qualities. Indeed, +we have never heard either of these two last remarkable men more +eloquent, than when discoursing of their cattle, and of their pleasure +in ranging over their pastures, and examining their herds and flocks. +They have both been importers of stock, and liberal in their +dissemination among their agricultural friends and neighbors. +Public-spirited, patriotic men, in almost every one of our states, have +either imported from Europe, or drawn from a distance in their own +country, choice animals, to stock their own estates, and bred them for +the improvement of their several neighborhoods. Merchants, and generous +men of other professions, have shown great liberality, and the finest +taste, in importing, rearing, and distributing over the country the best +breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs. Their own beautiful home +grounds are embellished with them, in a style that all the dumb statuary +in existence can not equal in interest--models of grace, and beauty, and +utility, which are in vain sought among the sculpture, or paintings of +ancient time. And many a plain and unpretending farmer of our country, +emulating such laudable examples, now shows in his luxuriant pastures, +and well-filled barns and stables, the choicest specimens of imported +stock; and their prizes, won at the cattle shows, are the laudable pride +of themselves, and their families. + +Nor is this laudable taste, confined to _men_ alone. Females of the +highest worth, and domestic example, both abroad and at home, cultivate +a love for such objects, and take much interest in the welfare of their +farm stock. We were at the annual state cattle show, in one of our large +states, but a short time since, and in loitering about the cattle +quarter of the grounds, met a lady of our acquaintance, with a party of +her female friends, on a tour of inspection among the beautiful +short-horns, and Devons, and the select varieties of sheep. She was the +daughter of a distinguished statesman, who was also a large farmer, and +a patron of great liberality, in the promotion of fine stock in his own +state. She was bred upon the farm, and, to rare accomplishments in +education, was possessed of a deep love for all rural objects; and in +the stock of the farm she took a peculiar interest. Her husband was an +extensive farmer, and a noted breeder of fine animals. She had her own +farm, too, and cattle upon it, equally as choice as his, in her own +right; and they were both competitors at the annual exhibitions. +Introduced to her friends, at her request, we accompanied them in their +round of inspection. There were the beautiful cows, and the younger +cattle, and the sheep--all noticed, criticised, and remarked upon; and +with a judgment, too, in their various properties, which convinced us of +her sound knowledge of their physiology, and good qualities, which she +explained to her associates with all the familiarity that she would a +tambouring frame, or a piece of embroidery. There was no squeamish +fastidiousness; no affectation of prudery, in this; but all natural as +the pure flow of admiration in a well-bred lady could be. At her most +comfortable, and hospitable residence, afterward, she showed us, with +pride, the several cups, and other articles of plate, which her family +had won as prizes, at the agricultural exhibitions; and which she +intended to preserve, as heir-looms to her children. This is not a +solitary example; yet, a too rare one, among our fair countrywomen. Such +a spirit is contagious, and we witness with real satisfaction, their +growing taste in such laudable sources of enjoyment: contrary to the +_parvenue_ affectation of a vast many otherwise sensible and +accomplished females of our cities and towns--comprising even the wives +and daughters of farmers, too--who can saunter among the not over +select, and equivocal representations, among the paintings and statuary +of our public galleries; and descant with entire freedom, on the various +attitudes, and artistical merits of the works before them; or gaze with +apparent admiration upon the brazen pirouettes of a public dancing girl, +amid all the equivoque of a crowded theater; and yet, whose delicacy is +shocked at the exhibitions of a cattle show! Such females as we have +noticed, can admire the living, moving beauty of animal life, with the +natural and easy grace of purity itself, and without the slightest +suspicion of a stain of vulgarity. From the bottom of our heart, we +trust that a reformation is at work among our American women, in the +promotion of a taste, and not only a taste, but a genuine _love_ of +things connected with country life. It was not so, with the mothers, and +the wives, of the stern and earnest men, who laid the foundations of +their country's freedom and greatness. They were women of soul, +character, and stamina; who grappled with the _realities_ of life, in +their labors; and enjoyed its pleasures with truth and honesty. This +over-nice, mincing delicacy, and sentimentality, in which their +grand-daughters indulge, is but the off-throw of the boarding-school, +the novelist, and the prude--mere "leather and prunella." Such remarks +may be thought to lie beyond the line of our immediate labor. But in the +discussion of the collateral subjects which have a bearing upon country +life and residence, we incline to make a clean breast of it, and drop +such incidental remark as may tend to promote the enjoyment, as well as +instruction, of those whose sphere of action, and whose choice in life +is amid the pure atmosphere, and the pure pleasures of the country. + + + + +WATER-FOWLS. + + +If a stream flow through the grounds, in the vicinity of the house; or a +pond, or a small lake be near, a few varieties of choice water-fowls may +be kept, adding much to the interest and amusement of the family. Many +of the English nobility, and gentry, keep swans for such purpose. They +are esteemed a bird of much grace and beauty, although silent, and of +shy, unsocial habits, and not prolific in the production of their young. +For such purposes as they are kept in England, the great African goose, +resembling the China, but nearly double in size, is a preferable +substitute in this country. It is a more beautiful bird in its plumage; +equally graceful in the water; social, and gentle in its habits; +breeding with facility, and agreeable in its voice, particularly at a +little distance. The African goose will attain a weight of twenty to +twenty-five pounds. Its body is finely formed, heavily feathered, and +its flesh is of delicate flavor. The top of the head, and the back of +its neck, which is long, high, and beautifully arched, is a dark brown; +its bill black, with a high protuberance, or knob, at its junction with +the head; a dark hazel eye, with a golden ring around it; the under part +of the head and neck, a soft ash-color; and a heavy dewlap at the +throat. Its legs and feet are orange-colored; and its belly white. Taken +altogether, a noble and majestic bird. + + [Illustration: CHINA GOOSE.] + +The small brown China goose is another variety which may be introduced. +She is nearly the color of the African, but darker; has the same black +bill, and high protuberance on it, but without the dewlap under the +throat; and has black legs and feet. She is only half the size of the +other; is a more prolific layer,--frequently laying three or four +clutches of eggs in a year; has the same character of voice; an equally +high, arched neck, and is quite as graceful in the water. The neck of +the goose in the cut should be one-third longer, to be an accurate +likeness. + +The White China is another variety, in size and shape like the last, but +perfectly white, with an orange colored bill and legs. Indeed, no swan +can be more beautiful than this, which is of the same pure, clean +plumage, and, in its habits and docility, equally a favorite with the +others we have described. + +The Bremen goose is still another variety, of about the same size as the +African, but in shape and appearance, not unlike the common goose, +except in color, which is pure white. Young geese of this breed, at nine +months old, frequently weigh twenty pounds, alive. We have had them of +that weight, and for the table, none can be finer. They are equally +prolific as the common goose, but, as a thing of ornament, are far +behind the African and the China. Still, they are a stately bird, and an +acquisition to any grounds where water-fowls are a subject of interest, +convenience, or profit. + +All these birds are more domestic, if possible, than the common goose, +and we have found them less troublesome, not inclined to wander abroad, +and, in all the qualities of such a bird, far more agreeable. We have +long kept them, and without their presence, should consider our grounds +as incomplete, in one of the most attractive features of animated life. + +It is too much a fault of our farming population, that they do not pay +sufficient attention to many little things which would render their +homes more interesting, both to themselves, if they would only think so, +and to their families, most certainly. If parents have no taste for such +objects as we have recommended, or even others more common, they should +encourage their children in the love of them, and furnish them for their +amusement. The very soul of a farmer's home is to cluster every thing +about it which shall make it attractive, and speak out the character of +the country, and of his occupation, in its full extent. Herds and flocks +upon the farm are a matter of course; and so are the horses, and the +pigs. But there are other things, quite as indicative of household +abundance, and domestic enjoyment. The pigeons, and the poultry of all +kinds, and perhaps the rabbit warren, which are chiefly in charge of the +good housewife, and her daughters, and the younger boys, show out the +domestic feeling and benevolence of character in the family, not to be +mistaken. It is a sign of enjoyment, of domestic contentment, and of +mental cultivation, even, that will lead to something higher, and more +valuable in after life; and it is in such light that it becomes an +absolute _duty_ of the farmer who seeks the improvement and education of +his children, to provide them with all these little objects, to engage +their leisure hours and promote their happiness. How different a home +like this from one--which is, really, not a home--where no attention is +paid to such minor attractions; where a few starveling things, by way of +geese, perhaps, picked half a dozen times a year, to within an inch of +their lives, mope about the dirty premises, making their nightly +sittings in the door yard, if the house has one; a stray turkey, or two, +running, from fear of the untutored dogs, into the nearest wood, in the +spring, to make their rude nests, and bring out half a clutch of young, +and creeping about the fields through the summer with a chicken or two, +which the foxes, or other vermin, have spared, and then dogged down in +the winter, to provide a half got-up Christmas-dinner; and the hens +about the open buildings all the year, committing their nuisances in +every possible way! There need be no surer indication than this, of the +utter hopelessness of progress for good, in such a family. + + + + +A WORD ABOUT DOGS. + + +We always loved a dog; and it almost broke our little heart, when but a +trudging schoolboy, in our first jacket-and-trowsers, our kind mother +made us take back the young puppy that had hardly got its eyes open, +which we one day brought home, to be kept until it was fit to be taken +from its natural nurse. We are now among the boys, John, Tom, and Harry; +and intend to give them the benefit of our own experience in this line, +as well as to say a few words to the elder brothers,--and fathers, +even,--if they do not turn up their noses in contempt of our +instruction, on a subject so much beneath their notice. + +We say that we love dogs: not _all_ dogs, however. But we love some +dogs--of the right breeds. There is probably no other civilized country +so dog-ridden as this, both in + + "Mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound, + And curs of _low_ degree." + +Goldsmith, kind man that he was, must have been a capital judge of dogs, +like many other poetical gentlemen. Still, other men than poets are +sometimes good judges, and great lovers of dogs; but the mass of people +are quite as well satisfied with one kind of dog as with another, so +that it be a dog; and they too often indulge in their companionship, +much to the annoyance of good neighborhood, good morals, and, indeed, of +propriety, thrift, and common justice. Of all these we have nothing to +say--here, at least. Ours is a "free country"--for dogs, if for nothing +else. Nor shall we discuss the various qualities, or the different +breeds of dogs for sporting purposes. We never go out shooting; nor do +we take a hunt--having no taste that way. Perhaps in this we are to be +pitied; but we are content as it is. Therefore we shall let the hounds, +and pointers, and setters, the springers, and the land and the water +spaniels, all alone. The mastiffs, and the bull dogs, too, we shall +leave to those who like them. The poodle, and the little lap-dog of +other kinds, also, we shall turn over to the kindness of those who--we +are sorry for them, in having nothing better to interest themselves +about--take a pleasure in keeping and tending them. + +We want to mix in a little _usefulness_, as well as amusement, in the +way of a dog; and after a whole life, thus far, of dog companionship, +and the trial of pretty much every thing in the line of a dog--from the +great Newfoundland, of a hundred pounds weight, down to the squeaking +little whiffet, of six--we have, for many years past, settled down into +the practical belief that the small ratting terrier is the only one, +except the shepherd dog, we care to keep; and of these, chiefly, +we shall speak. + +There are many varieties of the Terrier. Some are large, weighing forty +or fifty pounds, rough-haired, and savage looking. There is the +bull-terrier, of less size, not a kindly, well-disposed creature to +strangers; but irascibly inclined, and unamiable in his deportment; +still useful as a watch-dog, and a determined enemy to all vermin, +whatever. Then, again, are the small rat-terriers, as they are termed, +weighing from a dozen to twenty pounds; some with rough, long, wiry +hair; a fierce, whiskered muzzle; of prodigious strength for their size; +wonderful instinct and sagacity; kind in temper; and possessing valuable +qualities, bating a lack of beauty in appearance. They are of all +colors, but are generally uniform in their color, whatever it be. +Another kind, still, is the smooth terrier, of the same sizes as the +last; a very pretty dog indeed; with a kinder disposition to mankind; +yet equally destructive to vermin, and watchful to the premises which +they inhabit, or of whatever else is put under their charge. The +fidelity of the terrier to his master is wonderful; equal, if not +superior to any other dog whatever. In courage and perseverance, in +hardihood, and feats of daring, he has hardly an equal; and in general +_usefulness,_ no dog can compare with him. + + [Illustration: THE SMOOTH TERRIER.] + +Sir Walter Scott, who was a great friend to dogs, as well as a nice and +critical judge of their qualities, used to tell this story:--When a +young man, first attending, as an advocate, the Jedburgh assizes, a +notorious burglar engaged Sir Walter to defend him on his trial for +housebreaking in the neighborhood. The case was a hard one; the proof +direct and conclusive; and no ingenuity of the defence could avoid the +conviction of the culprit. The matter was settled beyond redemption; and +before he left for his imprisonment, or transportation, the thief +requested Sir Walter to come into his cell. On meeting, the fellow +frankly told his counsel that he felt very grateful to him for his +efforts to clear him; that he had done the best he could; but the proof +was too palpable against him. He would gladly reward Sir Walter for his +services; but he had no money, and could only give him a piece of +advice, which might, perhaps, be serviceable hereafter. Sir Walter heard +him, no doubt, with some regret at losing his fee; but concluding to +hear what he had to say. "You are a housekeeper, Mr. Scott. For security +to your doors, use nothing but a common lock--if rusty and old, no +matter; they are quite as hard to pick as any others. (Neither Chubbs' +nor Hobbs' _non-pickable_ locks were then invented.) Then provide +yourself with a small rat terrier, and keep him in your house at night. +There is no safety in a mastiff, or bull-dog, or in a large dog of any +breed. They can always be appeased and quieted, and burglars understand +them; but a terrier can neither be terrified nor silenced; nor do we +attempt to break in where one is known to be kept." Sir Walter heeded +the advice, and, in his housekeeping experience, afterward, confirmed +the good qualities of the terrier, as related to him by the burglar. +He also commemorated the conversation by the following not exceedingly +poetical couplet: + + "A terrier dog and a rusty key, + Was Walter Scott's first Jedburgh fee." + +The terrier has a perfect, thorough, unappeasable instinct for, and +hatred to all kinds of vermin. He takes to rats and mice as naturally as +a cat. He will scent out their haunts and burrows. He will lie for hours +by their places of passage, and point them with the sagacity of a +pointer at a bird. He is as quick as lightning, in pouncing upon them, +when in sight, and rarely misses them when he springs. A single bite +settles the matter; and where there are several rats found together, a +dog will frequently dispatch half a dozen of them, before they can get +twenty feet from him. A dog of our own has killed that number, before +they could get across the stable floor. In the grain field, with the +harvesters, a terrier will catch hundreds of field-mice in a day; or, in +the hay field, he is equally destructive. With a woodchuck, a raccoon, +or anything of their size--even a skunk, which many dogs avoid--he +engages, with the same readiness that he will a rat. The night is no bar +to his vigils. He has the sight of an owl, in the dark. Minks, and +weasels, are his aversion, as much as other vermin. He will follow the +first into the water, till he exhausts him with diving, and overtakes +him in swimming. He is a hunter, too. He will tree a squirrel, or a +raccoon, as readily as the best of sporting dogs. He will catch, and +hold a pig, or anything not too large or heavy for him. He will lie down +on your garment, and watch it for hours; or by anything else left in his +charge. He will play with the children, and share their sports as +joyfully as a dumb creature can do; and nothing can be more +affectionate, kind, and gentle among them. He is cleanly, honest, and +seldom addicted to tricks of any kind. + +We prefer the high-bred, smooth, English terrier, to any other variety. +They are rather more gentle in temper, and very much handsomer in +appearance, than the rough-haired kind; but perhaps no better in their +useful qualities. We have kept them for years; we keep them now; and no +reasonable inducement would let us part with them. A year or two ago, +having accidentally lost our farm terrier, and nothing remaining on the +place but our shepherd dog, the buildings soon swarmed with rats. They +were in, and about everything. During the winter, the men who tended the +horses, and cattle, at their nightly rounds of inspection, before going +to bed, would kill, with their clubs, three or four, in the barns and +stables, every evening. But still the rats increased, and they became +unendurable. They got into the grain-mows, where they burrowed, and +brought forth with a fecundity second only to the frogs of Egypt. They +gnawed into the granaries. They dug into the dairy. They entered the +meat barrels. They carried off the eggs from the hen-nests. They stole +away, and devoured, the young ducks, and chickens. They literally came +into the "kneading troughs" of the kitchen. Oh! the rats were +intolerable! Traps were no use. Arsenic was innocuous--they wouldn't +touch it. Opportunity favored us, and we got two high-bred, smooth, +English terriers--a dog, and a slut. Then commenced such a slaughter as +we seldom see. The rats had got bold. The dogs caught them daily by +dozens, as they came out from their haunts, fearless of evil, as before. +As they grew more shy, their holes were watched, and every morning dead +rats were found about the premises. The dogs, during the day, pointed +out their holes. Planks were removed, nests were found, and the rats, +young and old, killed, _instanter_. Hundreds on hundreds were +slaughtered, in the first few weeks; and in a short time, the place was +mostly rid of them, until enough only are left to keep the dogs "in +play," and to show that in spite of all precaution, they will harbor +wherever there is a thing to eat, and a possible place of covert for +them to burrow. + +To have the terrier in full perfection, it is important that the breed +be _pure_. We are so prone to mix up everything we get, in this country, +that it is sometimes difficult to get anything exactly as it should be; +but a little care will provide us, in this particular. He should be +properly trained, too, when young. That is, to mind what is said to him. +His intelligence will be equal to all your wants in the _dog_-line; but +he should not be _fooled_ with. His instincts are _sure_. And, with a +good education, the terrier will prove all you need in a farm, and a +watch-dog. We speak from long experience, and observation. + + [Illustration: THE SHEPHERD DOG.] + +The shepherd dog is another useful--almost indispensable--creature, on +the sheep, or dairy farm. This cut is an accurate representation of the +finest of the breed. To the flock-master, he saves a world of labor, in +driving and gathering the flocks together, or from one field, or place, +to another. To the sheep-drover, also, he is worth a man, at least; and +in many cases, can do with a flock what a man can not do. But for this +labor, he requires training, and a strict, thorough education, by those +who know how to do it. He is a peaceable, quiet creature; good for +little else than driving, and on a stock farm will save fifty times his +cost and keeping, every year. He is a reasonably good watch-dog, also; +but he has neither the instinct, nor sagacity of the terrier, in that +duty. To keep him in his best estate, for his own peculiar work, he +should not be troubled with other labors, as it distracts his attention +from his peculiar duties. We had a remarkably good dog, of this kind, a +few years since. He was worth the services of a stout boy, in bringing +up the cattle, and sheep, until an idle boy or two, in the neighborhood, +decoyed him out in "_cooning_," a few nights during one autumn--in which +he proved a most capital hunter; and after that, he became worthless, as +a cattle dog. He was always rummaging around among the trees, barking at +birds, squirrels, or any live thing that he could find; and no man could +coax him back to the dull routine of his duty. A shepherd dog should +never go a-hunting. + +We would not be understood as condemning everything else, excepting the +dogs we have named, for farm use. The Newfoundland, and the mastiff, are +enormously large dogs, and possessed of some noble qualities. They have +performed feats of sagacity and fidelity which have attracted universal +admiration; but, three to one, if you have them on your farm, they will +kill every sheep upon it; and their watchfulness is no greater than that +of the shepherd dog, or the terrier. We have spoken of such as we have +entire confidence in, and such as we consider the best for useful +service. There are some kinds of cur dog that are useful. They are of no +_breed_ at all, to be sure; but have, now and then, good qualities; and +when nothing better can be got, they will do for a make-shift. But as a +rule, we would be equally particular in the _breed_ of our dog, as we +would in the breed of our cattle, or sheep. There are altogether too +many dogs kept, in the country, and most usually by a class of people +who have no need of them, and which prove only a nuisance to the +neighborhood, and a destruction to the goods of others. Thousands of +useful sheep are annually destroyed by them; and in some regions of the +country, they can not be kept, by reason of their destruction by +worthless dogs, which are owned by the disorderly people about them. In +a western state, some time ago, in conversing with a large farmer, who +had a flock of perhaps a hundred sheep running in one of his pastures, +and who also kept a dozen hounds, for hunting, we asked him whether the +dogs did not kill his sheep? "To be sure they do," was his reply; "but +the dogs are worth more than the sheep, for they give us great sport in +hunting deer, and foxes; and the sheep only give us a little mutton, now +and then, and some wool for the women to make into stockings!" This is a +mere matter of taste, thought we, and the conversation on that subject +dropped. Yet, this man had a thousand acres of the richest land in the +world; raised three or four hundred acres of corn, a year; fed off a +hundred head of cattle, annually; and sold three hundred hogs every +year, for slaughtering! + + + * * * * * + + +Books Published +by +C. M. SAXTON, +152 Fulton Street, New York, + +Suitable for +School, Town, Agricultural, +and +Private Libraries. + + +The American Farm Book; + The American Farm Book; or, a Compend of American Agriculture, + being a Practical Treatise on Soils, Manures, Draining, Irrigation, + Grasses, Grain, Roots, Fruits, Cotton, Tobacco, Sugar-Cane, Rice, + and every staple product of the United States; with the best methods + of Planting, Cultivating, and Preparation for Market. Illustrated by + more than 100 engravings. By R. L. Allen. 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Per annum $1. + +Weeks on the Honey Bee. + +Cottages and Cottage Life. + By Elliott. $2.25. + +Chemical Analysis. + By Fresinus and Bullock. $1. + +Applied Chemistry. + By A. Parnell. $1. + +The Vegetable Kingdom, + Or Handbook of Plants. By L. D. Chapin. $1.25. + +The Muck Manual. + A new edition. By Samuel L. Dana. 75 cts. + +Youatt on the Horse. + Edited by J. S Skinner. $1.50. + +Clater's Farrier. 50 cts. + +The Dog and Sportsman. + By J. S. Skinner. cts. + +The Bird Keeper's Manual. 50 cts. + +The American Herd Book. + By Lewis F. Allen. $_ + +The American Orchardist. + By J. Kenrick. 75 cts. + + * * * * * + * * * * * + * * * * * + +Invisible punctuation has been silently supplied. + +The spellings "chesnut" and "chestnut", "turkeys" and "turkies" are used +interchangeably; the forms "mantle piece" and "mantle-piece" occur one +time each. The spelling "Alleghanies" is used consistently. + +Other errors are individually noted. + +_Table of Contents_ + + Indentation of the Contents does not always correspond to chapters + and subchapters of the body text, and many entries have different + names. All secondary indentations were added by the transcriber, + representing text sections that have no distinct header. + + There is no separate list of illustrations. + +PREFATORY ... 9 + _in body text, "Prefatory" covers pgs. ix-xv_ +Miscellaneous Details + _indented in printed Contents, as if a subsection of "Design II"_ +Tree Planting in the Highway + _indented in printed Contents, as if a subsection of "Design IV"_ +Design VII ... Miscellaneous ... Lawns, Grounds, Parks, and Woods + _printed Contents shows Miscellaneous as a chapter heading, + with Lawns... indented as a subsection_ +Fruit Garden ... Kitchen Garden ... Flowers + _all shown in body text as separate chapters_ +Explanations (under Rabbits) + _not indented in printed Contents_ +The Butter Dairy + _shown in body text as a separate chapter_ +The Water Ram ... 337 + _text reads "237"_ +Short Horn Bull ... 349 +Short Horn Cow ... 352 + _pages reversed: bull is on 352, cow on 349_ + + +_Body Text_ + +[frontispiece] + _illustration is shown again on page 85_ +its huge chimneys, its wide fire-places +the huge, deep fire-places + _hyphens in original: normal for text is "fireplaces"_ +The Swiss chalet + _printed with circumflex over "e" instead of "a"_ +their good farming neighbors didn't call on them + _text reads "did'nt"_ +an entrance door near the wood house + _form "wood house" unchanged: normal for text is "wood-house" + (but note title page)_ +Within doors it is a work-shop too. + _hyphen in original: normal for text is "workshop"_ +so perfectly in keeping was it with propriety. + _text has final comma_ +In the front and rear roofs of this wing is a dormer window + _text reads "dormar"_ +small-tool-house + _hyphens in original_ +The Lombardy-poplar--albeit, an object of fashionable derision + _hyphen in original: normal for text is "Lombardy poplar"_ +four stacks of chimnies + _spelling unchanged_ +dogwood, kalmia, and rhododendron + _text reads "rhodendendron"_ +while the fibrous-rooted perennials + _text reads "perenials"_ +a seeming humility + _text reads "humilty"_ +the fancy shops of Paree + _printed "Pare'" with accent on "e"_ +tool-house, piggery, poultry-house, corn-crib + _text reads "con-crib"_ +about the size of a common window button + _text unchanged: error for "batten"?_ +to support the comb as it is built + _text reads "as t is" with blank space_ +and why not hen's? + _apostrophe in original_ +what she lays in winter must be subtracted + _text reads "substracted"_ +should then be placed one inch below + _text reads "theu"_ +the collections throughout the country + _text reads "throughout the the"_ +he applied to his turnep crop + _spelling unchanged_ +require the aid of education to develope. + _spelling unchanged_ +the finest Southdowns, Short-horns, and Devons + _capitalization as in original: normal for text is "short-horns"_ +but irascibly inclined + _text reads "irrascibly"_ +He will tree a squirrel + _text reads "sqirrel"_ + + +_Advertising Pages_ + +Punctuation of book titles is unchanged. + +The Complete Farmer and American Gardener ... 2 vols. + _numeral "2" unclear_ +Rural Architecture ... Piggeries ... + _text reads "Pigeries"_ +Experimental Researches on the Food of Animals ... Thompson ... + _name usually found as "Thomson"_ +The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America ... colored, 15.00. + _no $ sign_ +The Plants of Boston and Vicinity. + _text reads "o Boston" with empty space_ +Downing' Horticulturist. + _missing "s" in "Downing's"_ +The Muck Manual ... By Samuel L. Dana ... + _text reads "Da a" with empty space_ +The Dog and Sportsman ... cts. + _price missing, with no extra space_ +The American Herd Book ... $_. + _number illegible, possibly "2"_ + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Rural Architecture, by Lewis Falley Allen + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RURAL ARCHITECTURE *** + +***** This file should be named 19998.txt or 19998.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/9/9/19998/ + +Produced by Louise Hope, Steven Giacomelli and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images produced by Core Historical +Literature in Agriculture (CHLA), Cornell University) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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