290, 



THE FARMERY. 



[Chap. III. 



The ridge or highest part of the roof is the best place for the exit of the 

 chimney, for it is less liable to those sudden gusts of " blowing down 

 chinincy " than when in proximity to higher objects. In this place too, the 

 roof is more easily rendered tight and secure against wet. In small houses 

 with but one chimney we need not seek any other i>lace for it. In buildings 

 larger, where several chinmeys are needed, keep the same object in view, 

 and ai)proacli as near to it as possible. In brick houses, if the chimney 

 is built into an exterior wall, it will sometimes fail to draw well, because 

 the air outside of the house cools the warm ascending current within the 

 flue. If the flue is in a south wall, the heat of the sun sometimes aids the 

 draught. 



The size of the chimney is also important. The modern fashion is quite 

 too small for utility. Economy of space and a desire to conceal entirely an 

 object merely of utility, have caused its dimensions to be contracted until a 

 few months' deposit of soot entirely chokes the passage. While we no longer 

 need the huge " good old-fashioned chimneys" of former days, the flues should 

 not be contracted so as to hinder the current of smoke, which needs a channel 

 as smooth as for the flow of water. We often find the curves, where the 

 most rooni is needed, half filled with mortar carelessly dropped and loosely 

 adhering to the bricks. By making a proper table above the roof, it can be 

 made water-proof; but this, if not well done at first, always proves a 

 vexatious and difficult matter to accomplish. Mortar, putty, cement, and 

 paint, in all their variations, have been tried with various success. An old 

 grafter recommends for this purpose " grafting wax," as the cheapest, surest, 

 and most durable application. But we say, build so that they will all be 

 unnecessary. 



Always begin your chimneys from a good foundation on the eartli. lie 

 who builds a small "stem" in the garret, builds a large nuisance for 

 himself. The soot tea, black and penetrating, will leak out to discolor the 

 walls, the gathered soot and ashes cannot be removed, and the thing proves 

 a chimney only in name and in its appearance on the roof. 



All unused stove-pipe holes and fire-places should be closed to secure the 

 best draught. 



Where there are two chimnej's in tlie same building one will sometimes 

 overpower the other, with the most provoking results. This is a contingency 

 to be regarded in forming the plan. 



Tlie top of the chininey may be full size and open where there is no 

 danger of down currents ; otherwise it should be arched or provided witli 

 some cap or ventilator of sheet iron. Those who have built will see the 

 importance of these hints ; those who are to build, will do Avell to regiird 

 them. . 



312. Ice-Honsesi — Xext to a good cellar, an ice-house is a necessity of a 

 farm-house. Here we can do without an ice-house, and nortli of latitude 4-0^ 

 we cannot do without a cellar — at least, not comfortably ; and, in our 

 opinion, any family who have once enjoyed the comforts of an iee-liouse. 



