8 



attention at the time the hired man took the fevrr. John observed 

 that tlie family is less isolated than formerly, the children go to 

 school, they have more company and since the prices of farms have 

 improved, a larger number of prospective buyers have come to 

 inspect the farm, while peddlers, hired help and tramps are frecpient 

 visitors. There was therefore danger from typhoid and other 

 disease germs finding their way to the drinking water. They had 

 a dug well. The wash and dish-water were thrown near it and John 

 said there was danger of pollution from household and barn excreta. 

 They decided that a drilled well was the safest and cheapest of 



all. This would furnish 

 the drinking water for the 

 family, but it was too 

 hard foi- household use. 

 They planned a cistern 

 under the steps 6 ft. deep 

 and 5 ft. wide, covei*ed 

 with two layers of plank. 

 This was lined up to within 

 a foot of the surface of the 

 ground with water lime 

 cement without the use of 

 brick or stone as the sub- 

 soil was hard and tenacious. 

 An outlet was furnished 

 near the surface by a pipe 

 leadins: to the brook and 

 another pipe connected the cistern with a pump in the kitchen. 

 Large, v:)ell-ventilated sleejnng rooms eo)iducive to good healtJi. — 

 Tliey decided to raise the roof and have tlie second story extend 

 over the entire floor with hio-her ceilinscs, larirer rooms and better 

 windows ; the chambers would thus be made healthful and com- 

 fortable in cold weather. AVhere Avindows could not be had in a 

 closet they were to place transoms over the doors and where these 

 were impracticable the closet could be so arranged that the door on 

 being opened would let in the light from an opposite window. John 

 knew each member of the family would appreciate the difference 



504 



Comfortable surroundings Ugliten Jiard tasks. 



