542 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



first place in the matter of importance of farm buildings. It is the 

 home, the house and its occupants, which come up first before the mind 

 when "home"' is mentioned. 



We can hardly go into detail of arrangement of the house, for what 

 would be very satisfactory to one person might be very unsatisfactory 

 to another, owing to difference in taste and opinion. 



Plan the location and arrangement of the house for the satisfaction 

 and pleasure of those who are to occupy it. Consider the comfort of both 

 the men and women of the household. While the men may not spend much 

 time in the house, but to eat and sleep, it is well to give some thought to 

 pleasure and comfort in these things, for sitting down to your meals in 

 harvest time with your back close to a hot stove, and then go to bed close 

 up under the roof of the house with poor ventilation, does not fit one for the 

 best use of his physical strength, or his best mental effort in planning 

 the management of the farm operations, nor does i,t aid in anywise to 

 the development of his highest ideals of moral character. If so little 

 comfort can be taken while supplying the physical requirement, what 

 will be the condition of the mother and smaller children who must spend 

 a greater part of their time within the house? Surely, it will not aid 

 the mother and daughter in the development of that cheerful, sunny 

 disposition and affectionate character which goes far to make the home 

 the best place on earth; where the father loves to remain, and to whi^h 

 the children, after becoming separated by taking up life's work, often 

 return with greatest of joy and satisfaction, and where their affection 

 for all that is good and true is strengthened. 



Locate the house near the well, unless for some reason it may be 

 impracticable, and in that case plan to use some mechanical means to 

 put the water in or near the house. It will be very convenient in case 

 of fire, as well as a great relief to the weary bones and aching muscles. 



Let the rooms be ample, with an abundance of light, with an ar- 

 rangement that will be convenient and comfortable. A good cellar under 

 the house is convenient in bad weather. Many object to the cellar be- 

 cause of its unhealthfulness, but with proper management it need not be 

 open to such criticism if it has proper ventilation. If possible, plan an 

 arrangement that will afford a cool retreat from the heat of mid-summer 

 and a snug defense against the frigid blasts of winter. 



There does not seem to be any necessity at present to plan anything 

 about the farm to induce the family, or any member of the family, to 

 get away from the farm to find employment or pleasure, but rather, if 

 possible, plan means whereby some pleasure may be gotten out of farm 

 life that will appeal to the people in their rush for excitement and enter- 

 tainment. 



Plan the location of barns and lots so that the slope or natural drain- 

 age will be away from the house, and a much shorter distance will be 

 necessary, which will be a conisderable advantage in choring, and espe- 

 cially in caring for young stock in' rough weather. 



If all barns and buildings for the protection of animals are built 

 with ample room for the number of animals to be accommodated, it will 



