638 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



by the building where the cellar does not extend, fill in to the depth of several inches with 

 gravel, afterwards covering with cement. This prevents, in a great measure, the gases that 

 arise from the earth from making their way into the building. Arrangements should also be 

 made in the underpinning, in such places, for permitting a free circulation of air, by leaving 

 spaces or openings, or the unhealthy gases that are carried underneath the building will 

 surely find an entrance. The timbers will also soon be affected with dry rot, if such places 

 are not properly ventilated. 



The cellar-walls should be well cemented, and the ceiling lathed and plastered. This 

 latter will render the rooms above warmer in cold weather, and the floor less liable to admit 

 the gases from the cellar, while a well-built and carefully-cemented wall will exclude rats, 

 mice, and other vermin. 



There should be several windows in every cellar for the purpose of furnishing light, and 

 a free circulation of air. Additional ventilation can also be secured by means of an aperture 

 connected with the chimney. A wire netting should be placed over the windows to exclude 

 rats, mice, and insects when the windows are opened. There should be broad, well-lighted 

 stairs leading from the kitchen, or near it, to the cellar, also stairs leading from the cellar out 

 of the building. 



Darkness and dampness should be excluded from cellars, and they should also be kept 

 free from any decaying substance, such as rotten wood, decaying vegetables, &c. It is not 

 well to use the home-cellar as a place of storage for very large quantities of root crops, such 

 as for feeding stock. It renders a house unhealthy. A barn, or root-cellar should be used 

 for this purpose. 



Water-Closets and Vaults. When properly constructed, water-closets are the most 

 complete arrangements for their intended purpose that can be found. But few farm-houses 

 are, however, so arranged as to admit of their use. In such as have the facilities, they are 

 not only a great convenience, but also conduce to sanitary measures as well. They should 

 always be furnished with a good supply of water. When a tank is used for supplying water 

 for this purpose, it should be large enough to hold from seventy-five to one hundred gallons, 

 and should be, at least, from seven to eight feet from the floor. 



In order to be arranged, on good sanitary principles, water-closets should always be sup 

 plied with strong lead traps underneath, which shall prevent the escape of gases. These 

 should run into large cast-iron pipes which should communicate with the sewer. Unless the 

 utmost care is used in providing a sufficient number of suitable traps, such closets become 

 the source of serious annoyance, and unsanitary conditions in a house, being the means of 

 conducting the poisonous gases from the sewage directly into the building. In constructing 

 them the most competent workmen, those perfectly familiar with their business, should be 

 employed, and the work thoroughly performed. 



It is easy to have it well done at first, but generally a difficult and expensive task to 

 have any mistakes corrected, or repairs made afterward. Care should be used to prevent the 

 water in the pipes from freezing in the winter. 



Earth closets are also used to a considerable extent in many localities. These are most 

 of them provided with an automatic arrangement for throwing down a quantity of sifted 

 earth. But on the farm, and in connection with farm buildings, such conveniences are very 

 rarely seen ; the most indifferent arrangements for the family use in this respect being un 

 fortunately commonly provided. 



As a general rule, such conveniences in the country consist of an old dilapidate* build 

 ing, located at a distance from the house, and in an exposed locality, so that it cannot be 

 reached in stormy weather, or at any time without exposure to health or observation. 



No means are provided for deodorizing, hence such places are a source from which 

 poison to the air and water in their vicinity emanates, thiis becoming the means of sowing 

 the seeds of disease and death. 



