622 HOW TO MAKE THE FARM TAY. 



the wall, and taking special pains to have the corner-stones i 

 large and solid. 



Size of Timbers. A small stick of timber of the right shape 

 is better than a big stick. In old houses the amount of timber 

 is sufficient to build three or four just as strong. Much depends 

 also on the form of joints in making a frame stiff. A three inch 

 by four joist would be weak and insufficient, when the same 

 lumber in a joist eight by one and a half inches would be strong 

 enough to support a great weight. 



Make the rooms high between joists ; ten feet for the lower 

 rooms is none too much, for low, close rooms are a constant source 

 of disease. Put two ventilators in each room, about eight feet 

 from the floor; fresh air will lessen your doctor's bill. The 

 timbers of the frame and all the lumber used should be wel' 

 seasoned. The farmer cannot be too particular about this 

 More bad-looking and unsatisfactory jobs are made by neglect 

 iug this particular than any other. Nothing detracts from the ! 

 market value or the comfort of a house more than great crack. 

 and shrinkages in the doors and floors. 



We have advocated setting back the house ; this will leave a 

 large plot of ground between the house and the road, which 

 should be filled with trees and shrubs. Nothing looks better 

 here than a variety of well-trimmed fruit trees. In such a space 

 the farmer may raise large and small fruits sufficient for a supply 

 the year round, besides furnishing sauces, jams, preserves, and 

 mild wines. If the walk to the house passes under several grape 

 arbors it will add to the attractiveness of his place. Elsewhere 

 will be found instructions for covering these arbors with luscious 

 fruit. Fig. 138 represents the ground plan of a very conveni 

 ent farnv house. Y is the verandah, running across the whole 

 front of the house, h is the hall, with doors opening into botl 

 parlor and sitting room. S, front stairs. S, sitting room. P 



