Selection of the Site 



The Orchard House, Concord, Mass. This suggests the possibilities of the old site 



you lose only the 

 binder. In this way 

 several sites may 

 be considered and 

 the best selected. 

 Be sure, however, 

 that you have a 

 lawyer's advice in 

 your transaction, 

 unless you know 

 absolutely what you 

 are doing yourself. 



One argument 

 in favour of the 

 lawyer is that the 

 laws of the various 

 states often differ, 

 and things which 

 seem to be all right 

 are not. For in- 

 stance, if you buy 

 a piece of land on 



the Maine coast, and in your deed your land is described as running in such 

 and such directions, for such and such a distance to the shore, and hence by 

 the shore, etc., you naturally suppose that you have a shore privilege. The fact 

 is that you have no legal right whatever. On this point the law holds. Your deed 

 should read "to tidewaters of so-and-so," and "by tidewaters so-and-so." 

 Hence, get a lawyer; he is worth his hire. 



In the matter of the title your lawyer again comes to the front; he is 

 familiar with such work. If you know as much about it as he does, look it 

 up yourself, but under no circumstances slight it a clear title is important. If 

 you do not make sure that the man who sells you the land has an undisputed 

 right to it, someone may come along at any time and convince a court that his 

 right is better than yours and you lose. It isn't worth the risk. One rests 

 easier with both the copy of a clear title and the deed, properly recorded, 

 stowed away in one's inside pocket. 



Not infrequently the old site offers as tempting a haven or one even more 

 so than the new site. Its possibilities are well developed and the problem of 

 rejuvenating becomes unique. In some instances the old trees are most tempt- 

 ing, although if these are not perfectly sound it is better not to consider them for 

 a moment. Younger trees with a life before them are preferable to old ones 

 whose life is near spent. 



The various styles of houses are adapted to certain sites. Of course 

 there are exceptions to the following, as there are to every rule. The careful 

 designer often carries to a successful completion that scheme which at first 

 seems impractical. 



