1848. 



GENESEE FARMER. 



79 



detail and the expenses, varying in constrjction 

 from S900 to $12,000. There are sixty plates 

 — nineteen of them beautifully and elegantly 

 tinted, in a splendid style of lithography. 



The beautiful cut of a cottage, in the Eng- 

 lish style, which heads this article, is a copy of 

 one of Mr. Ranlett's elegant lithographic 

 prints, in the fifth number of this new and useful 

 work, from which we make the following extracts. 



" The great number of cottages," says Mr. 

 R., "which have been erected in the suburbs of 

 London, in latter years, has afforded the finest 

 opportunity for the application of improved taste 

 and skill in cottage architecture, and the result 

 is a vast amount of rural scenery, comprising in 

 great harmony, highly improved gardens and 

 yards with their requisite flowers, shrubs and 

 vines, constituting views which are admired by 

 visiters from all countries. One of the chief 

 sources of the beauty of these rural residences, 

 is the position of the houses on the lots, which 

 are back sufficient to afford front yards for the 

 cultivation of plants and vines, which are ar- 

 ranged and trained in graceful combinations 

 with the architectural features, thus heightening 

 the general effect by promoting the influence of 

 the various parts. This style is well adapted to 

 a large portion of the United States, especially 

 in those parts in the higher latitudes." * * 



•' The general characteristics of a residence 

 must be determined by the tastes, habits, and cir- 

 cumstances of the family who are to occupy it. 

 There is very properly, a great variety of styles 

 and dimensions in rural residences. Cottages 

 and small villas are the most appropriate dwel- 

 lings for those who aim at competence and com- 

 fort in the simple independence of American 

 country life. Cottages or houses, one story, or 

 one and a half high, may be erected in any 

 style, and possess all the desired accessories, such 

 as porches, verandas, balconies, pediments, &c." 



" A cottage indicates a disposition in the pro- 

 prietor to live within his income and to appro- 

 priate his means rather for the convenience 

 and comfort of his family than for show which 

 he is ill prepared to sustain. The style and 

 finish of any house denote the intelligence and 

 taste of the proprietor." 



"A situation should be selected with due 

 respect to the employment of the proprietor, and 

 the intended style of architecture, if it has pre- 

 viously been determined. Health is the most 

 important consideration in the selection of a 

 situation. Low situations should be avoided on 

 account of fogs and humidity. Soil is an item 

 of some importance, especially where gardens 

 and pleasure grounds are contemplated ; but a 

 good subsoil is more important, being essential 

 to the vigorous growth of trees, and incapable 

 of improvement, while the soil may be improved 

 to any extent by artifical means." 



"The scenery around a dwelling is well 

 worthy of particular attention. It is important 

 that a situation should have as much of natural 

 beauty as possible — a natural scene may, how- 

 ever, be greatly improved by art, and materially 

 changed by much time and expense. Trees are 

 very desirable for shade, and the beauty of their 

 composition with the architectural features of 

 the scene ; but they should not be so thick as to 

 produce dampness, nor so situated as to prevent 

 a distinct view of the edifice. In improving the 

 ground, care must be taken to have pointed trees, 

 so that they may harmonize with the prevailing 

 high roofs, acute angled gables, to give harmony 

 to the scene." 



" The construction of dwellings is a depart- 

 ment of enterprise and investment, which in- 

 volves various considerations of vast amount. 

 It should be remembered that a dwelling is con- 

 sti'ucted for the accommodation of a family- 

 Sound philosophy and good taste require that the 

 site, form and character of a building should 

 be suited to its use and the expression of its des- 

 tination. A grove affords to a house a natural 

 protection, both in summer and winter." 



Design for a Farm House. 



Messrs. Editors : — I noticed in the January 

 number of the Farmer an engraving of a farm- 

 house designed by me, and first published in the 

 last year's volume of Transactions. Although 

 it is a correct copy of that engraving, it is not 

 exactly like the one I designed. In the first 

 place, the basement or cellar was entirely omit- 

 ted. This I very much regretted, as I consid- 

 ered it very conveniently arranged. It contain- 

 ed a spacious kitchen, opening into the wood- 

 house ; a large pantry or store-room at the foot 

 of the kitchen stairs ; a cistern ; arch ; oven ; 

 storage-room for wood and ashes ; sink and drain.* 



A door was also omitted between the library 

 and sitting room, which would be indispensable, 

 if used either as a library or a part of the hall — 

 and a sink placed in a corner of the upper kitch- 

 en or dining room where there was only space 

 for a door, which I had designed in the basement 

 kitchen directly beneath. 



The windows in the ground plan should have 

 been enclosed with lines, corresponding with 

 those of the chamber. This I think, however, 

 an omission of my own. 



Mrs. James M. Ellis. 



Onondaga Hill, N. Y., Jan. 1848. 



Young Farmers, consider your calling both 

 elevated and important — never be afraid of the 

 frock and the apron. Put ofl^ no business for 

 to-morrow that can be done to-day. 



An hour's industry will do more to retrieve 

 your affairs than a month's moaning. 



