392 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



the bottom, and three four-inch boards above, and capped, makes 

 a much better fence for a farm-house than palings. 



The walk leading to the front door must be suited to the 

 size of the yard and surroundings. It should rarely, if ever, be 

 straight, but should be semicircular or serpentine. When the 

 house is at such a distance from the road that a true half circle, 

 will reach the front fence at the right points of exit, and the 

 center come to the front door, the semicircular walk looks well. 

 If the drive-way is located at the proper distance, one end of 

 the walk can terminate there. A neat stile, with easy, broad 

 steps is often better than a gate. The walks at the rear of the 

 house should be made for utility, and should usually be the 

 shortest distance between the points connected by them. They 

 may be paved with stone or brick, or made of plank, gravel, 

 or spent tan-bark. Where good gravel can be had a permanent 

 substantial walk can be easily and cheaply made, and it will be 

 greatly improved by a- light dressing of tan-bark each fall. 



To make a good walk there must be such grading as will 

 give perfect surface drainage. I would throw up a walk not 

 less than six feet wide, with the center a foot above the ditches 

 at the sides. Then cover with coarse gravel or a single layer 

 of flat stone, and above this a coat of fine gravel. The advan- 

 tage of tan bark is, that it does not get sloppy and track into 

 the house during a thaw as gravel does. 



The best way to make a plank walk is probably to place 2x4 

 scantling on edge the distance apart that the width of the walk 

 is to be, and nail short boards across from one to the other. A 

 very neat and serviceable walk two feet wide can be made in 

 this way for about one dollar a rod. 



The out-buildings should be conveniently located. The 

 wood-shed should be large enough to hold a winter's supply 

 of wood, and should be convenient to the house. The privy 

 should be hidden by a clump of evergreens or a vine-covered 

 trellis, and should have instead of a vault a shallow wooden box, 

 so arranged as to be easy of access. This box should be made 

 water-tight and placed on the top of the ground, and there 

 should be a hinged door at the rear of the privy which will give 



