196 THREE ACRES AND LIBERTY 



start to finish, with assistance rendered by the owner. There 

 were seven days by the mason, eight by carpenters, and four- 

 teen and one half by other labor. On June 4 the cabin 

 was ready for occupancy, and the family moved in. The 

 prices, as in most cases cited, are higher to-day. Cheaper 

 transportation or lower tariff may reduce them again. 



"Making allowances for increased cost of logs and differ- 

 ences in any of the material cost, this cabin can be duplicated 

 for less than $700 by any one who has the ground, a few tools, 

 and some building ability. It is compact, convenient, and 

 more roomy than a superficial glance reveals, and it can be 

 occupied (slight care is required) from April to November 

 with only the kitchen stove and the fireplace supplying the 

 heat. The same plan can be used for an all-frame struc- 

 ture, perhaps at less cost. It could be sheathed and slab 

 covered in a locality where slabs, edged to six or eight inches 

 wide, could be had ; or slabs could be used perpendicularly 

 in the gable ends and on the outside of the rear extension." 



We must not overlook the differences in cost of lumber 

 and labor in different places, sometimes more than doubling, 

 nor the fact that different contractors will vary often twenty- 

 five per cent in their bids. 



A mere cabin, like a wooden tent, 12 X 10 with a plat- 

 form adjoining, will accommodate one or even two persons 

 and can be built by a contractor even at war prices for 

 about fifty to one hundred dollars. This will serve for a 

 tool house or storeroom when a more convenient residence 

 can be afforded. A number of such can be seen at " Free 

 Acres," New Jersey, an hour from New York City on the 

 D. L. & W. Railroad. 



Thoughtful provision and planning will go far to reduce 

 costs. A stove pipe which should run up inside the house, 



