32 THE YOUNG FARMER'S MANUAL. 



ings ; and but few know really what materials are actually neces 

 sary, or know how to obtain them in the most economical and 

 expeditious manner. A few practical suggestions on this subject 

 may be of almost incalculable advantage to the young farmer. 



10. When a man of little experience is about to commence 

 building, he should make a most vigorous effort to ascertain 

 what kind of buildings how large or how small, whether of 

 wood, brick, or stone he really needs. It may save him seve 

 ral hundreds of dollars, to first procure the excellent periodicals 

 published on this subject ; as in them he will find an almost 

 unlimited variety of ground plans and elevations of buildings. 

 In order to build most economically, the stone and sand should 

 all be hauled in the winter, when the labors of the farm are not 

 on hand ; and boards and plank should be well-seasoned, not less 

 than one year, before they are worked up. In the meantime, 

 the beginner should confer with those who have had experience 

 in planning buildings ; and endeavor to have every plan arranged 

 in the most complete and economical manner. Always, if pos 

 sible, commence building in the spring ; because the weather is 

 usually more favorable, and the days are longer, and workmen 

 will perform full one quarter or one third more, than they will be 

 able to do in the short, unfavorable, and cold days of autumn. 

 "We will commence with 



THE DWELLING-HOUSE. 



11. Every dwelling-house needs a good cellar beneath it. 

 And in order to have it cool in summer, and dry and warm in 

 winter, the foundation walls should be built not less than twenty 

 inches above the level of the ground, after the ground has been 

 levelled off, in order to furnish sufficient space for the, cellar win 

 dows. The surface of the ground should always descend a little 

 from the house in order to carry off the surface water. Before 

 the cellar walls are laid, a good drain should be cut not less than 

 six inches deeper than the bottom of the cellar, and a little trench 

 dug entirely around the bottom of the cellar leading into the 

 main ditch. Now, let water be poured into the trench to ascer- 



