Outbuildings, Gateways, Etc. 



261 



Fig. 51. Small pigeon house for gable end of stable. This 

 motive rests upon and extends beyond the hay pole 



are brought up at the same time, one by each bird. The best size for each nest should 

 be 10 to 12 inches square. It might be increased slightly in length, say 2 inches. 



Pigeons require plenty of water, 

 and, if confined, should be provided 

 with an earthen poultry fountain in pref- 

 erence to the open receptacle of much 

 splash, feathers and general filth. If 

 each tier of nests be projected one 

 beyond the other, there is better protec- 

 tion from the weather and less liability 

 of a front-door "scrap" than if they 

 be placed in on a single vertical plane 

 (see Fig. 51). The lobby idea, already 

 referred to, will be found to save the 

 scattering of filth to a large extent, 

 whereas the usual projecting and indi- 

 vidual shelf invites it. 



The automobile house is little more than a single room for the accommo- 

 dation of the machine, with perhaps a closet or two. It is best that the closets 

 should be removed from the main room and the whole building from foundation 

 to roof be made absolutely fireproof. It should be well lighted. If gasoline be 

 used for fuel, the tank should be isolated and on the line of the drive. In no case 

 should it be in connection with any other building. 



Where one is compelled to rely upon a private supply of ice he must pro- 

 vide for its storage. The ice houses of the Penobscot River, Maine, are built 

 with hollow walls filled with sawdust and ventilated at the top. The private 

 affair may be made in like manner. Its ventilation may be at the gable peaks 

 and under the eaves; these vents should 

 be screened, not for fear of mosquitoes, 

 but to exclude birds, rats, etc. Some- 

 times the ice house may be partially dug 

 into a bank, but at all events it should 

 have a bottom composed of small, loose 

 stones perhaps a foot thick, with a 

 blind drain leading from it to carry off 

 the water from the melting ice. The 

 doors should extend from bottom to top 

 in sections, that the easy storage of ice 

 may be accomplished. It is needless to 

 state that the natural shelter of trees 

 should be sought in every case, as aid- 

 ing materially to retard the melting of 

 Ice is ordinarily packed in saw- 



ice. 



dust and sometimes in straw; it should 

 be thoroughly done; of the two agents 

 the sawdust is perhaps to be preferred. 



Pigeon house in stable at Southport, Conn. 



