50 HANDY-BOOK OF HUSBANDRY. 



FARM BUILDINGS. 



Concerning the dwelling-house, it is not worth while for me to 

 say any thing, except so far as relates to the dairy department, 

 and this will be treated hereafter under its proper head. 



Although the dwelling is a very important element of farm 

 economy, the tastes of individuals and their ability to spend 

 money for ornament and for convenience vary so greatly, that 

 even a tolerably full discussion of the architecture of farm 

 dwelling-houses would require very much more space than could 

 here be given to it. In the vicinity of towns there are always 

 architects and builders whose services can be commanded when- 

 ever necessary. In the more remote frontier districts, the simpler 

 style of dwelling, which is all that the opportunities of the situa- 

 tion allow, is usually built without the aid of skilled labor, and 

 for temporary purposes only. Barns, sheds, hay-barracks, sheep- 

 folds, poultry-houses, etc., belong more properly to the range of 

 subjects under consideration. The first principle to be observed 

 is, so far as possible, to bring every thing within the same four 

 walls and under the same roof, and to adjust the size of the 

 structure, not so much to the present requirements, as to the 

 future needs of the farm. 



In a very large majority of cases, however, it is not practicable 

 to follow this rule. It would require a larger investment at the 

 outset, than most farmers would be able to make, especially in 

 view of the many other necessary expenses which must be de- 

 frayed from their usually limited capital. Yet in all cases where 

 such a complete barn as is above referred to cannot be built at 

 once, the possibility of building it at a future day, and the import- 

 ance of approaching it as nearly as possible at the outset, should be 

 constantly kept in view. A given amount of space can be more 

 cheaply inclosed in one large building, than in several small ones, 

 while the concentration of stock and food under one roof, the 

 greater ease with which barn work may be done in a conve- 

 niently arranged large barn, and the much more complete super- 



