214 



STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



LOCATION AND GROUPING OF FARM BUILDINGS, YARDS, ETC. 



In a state like Michigan, which was settled at an early date, the ques- 

 tion of the selection of the site for buildings in its relation to the whole 

 farm and its general operations is one that is now quite largely decided. 

 These sites, whether on one corner of the quarter or half section, or in 

 the centre, have already been chosen, and barns, houses and roadways 

 located, in many instances beyond the possibility of change. This 

 question is an important economic factor which should receive the most 

 careful consideration of those equipping new farms with buildings. 



Fig. 3. 



In adding additional buildings to the group already established, or in 

 moving and remodeling old ones the exact location of the building is in 

 many ways an important factor. A good building site must be high and 

 well drained with sufficient slope in every direction from the buildings. 

 Should the country be almost level, as is sometimes the case, then the 

 buildings should be set well up on their foundations, so that earth can 

 be graded in against the walls, thereby furnishing dry, firm j^ards and 

 walks. We recall one instance in which an ideal building site was chosen, 

 but the barn was placed down in an excavation so low that some thou- 

 sands of yards of earth had to be removed in order to secure a slope away 

 from the barn instead of toward it. It does not seem rational to suppose 

 that such conditions could exist, but careful observation throughout a 

 long period shows that many barnyards are veritable mire holes; in 

 many cases, with the deepest and softest spot directly in front of the 

 stable door. We recall one instance in Avhich a group of barns, forming 

 three sides of a court, was placed on such a low site that the yards had 

 to be paved with hardlieads to render tlicm passable for both animals 

 and attendants, and all this, too, within a few rods of an ideal location. 



