622 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



scarce, small, low farm-houses of a single story are very common, but as the owners become 

 more prosperous and population increases, these give place to the more convenient and roomy 

 structures found in the older-settled portions. Too much room is not desired in a house, but 

 there should be sufficient to meet the wants of the entire household, and a surplus is to be 

 preferred to a lack in this respect, if we were to make a choice of two evils. A house that is 

 a story and a half high is but little better than that of a single story, while it will cost nearly 

 as much as a two-story house. The rooms of a dwelling-house should be sufficiently high to 

 be airy, and admit of good ventilation. Low rooms are unhealthy, and should be avoided. 



Extra room in buildings for storage, etc., can often be secured at slight expense, by 

 making the building a little higher than the original purpose requires; as, for instance, the 

 wagon-house, tool-house, or wood-house, may be made, by this means, to furnish room over 

 head for the storage of small crops, or the spreading of those that require drying. 



Plans for Farm-Houses. Before erecting a new house, it will be very essential 

 for the farmer not only to have a well-defined plan, which will secure for himself and family 

 all the conveniences and comforts practicable, but also to carefully estimate the expense that 

 will be incurred, and whether he can safely and without injury to his financial prosperity with 

 draw from his business the amount of money necessary for the purpose. In some cases it 

 may be found better to occupy the old house two or three years longer, until the financial 

 status of the farmer is such that he can safely invest in the enterprise of building the new; 

 for while a neat and attractive house to live in is a very desirable thing, still it is better to 

 occupy one that may be old and time-worn, and even shabby in appearance, than to be driven 

 into bankruptcy by the erection of a new one before being really able to do so. On the 

 other side of the question, farmers, as a general rule, are very cautious and quite too apt to 

 go to the opposite extreme of delaying the enjoyment of the new beyond their means, instead 

 of taking them in advance. And too many of them subject themselves and families to the 

 deprivation of many things that might and should be enjoyed. 



Life is short at the longest, and if a few years of it may be made brighter for the house 

 hold by occupying a neat and commodious house, why not brighten these few years for such 

 members as soon as may be, instead of delaying it and involving a loss to all, and, perhaps, 

 until it shall be too late for some loved one ever to enjoy it ? 



A house, in order to be comfortable and pleasant, need not necessarily be very expen 

 sive. A neat and tasty cottage, relieved by slight ornamentation of the severe plainness so 

 frequently characterizing country homes, would be very suitable for the purpose. The 

 few plans which are here presented will be found to come within the range of most farm 

 houses, both as to size and expense, and also valuable, as suggesting improvements in design 

 in the general style of architecture, as well as convenience of arrangement, and will prove of 

 practical value to those contemplating building or remodeling. For the first four designs 

 represented in this department we are indebted to W. T. Comstock, publisher and successor 

 to Bicknell & Comstock, of New York city, being copied by permission from the specimen- 

 book of One Hundred Architectural Designs. 



The first a design for a country house represents a large handsome building of six 

 teen rooms of superior accommodations. It was remodeled two or three years after being 

 built, to its present style. The materials are of wood, the frame sheathed and felted, the 

 roof slated, and the interior finished in a tasteful and appropriate manner. At the time of 

 being remodeled, a gas-house was built, with fixtures for lighting the house. This design rep 

 resents the most expensive dwelling which -we intert the estimated cost of erecting being 

 about $10,000. The archway over the carriage drive-way adds very much to the appearance 

 of the house, besides being a great convenience. The lower floor contains a parlor, dining- 

 room, library, hall, sitting-room, two pantries, laundry, kitchen, and a dinner-service room. 

 As a country-seat for a city gentleman, or a house for the farmer of ample means, such a 

 &quot;building is admirably adapted. 



