farm-Buildings and Cottages. 131 



In low buildings, where the roof and joisting are the most 

 expensive articles, the oblong form will be preferable, par- 

 ticularly when such a form is, in other respects, best adapt- 

 ed to the purposes required. 



The cheapest buildings are those whose plan is contained 

 within four straight lines. All projections add considerably 

 to the expense, by the extra corners, breaks in the roof, 

 &c. (** 5 ). 



To prevent as much as possible the spreading of fire, it 

 is highly important, to have all the cross division walls in 

 any range of buildings, carried up through the roof, and 

 coped above the covering. The doors of the house, of the 

 stables, and other offices, should open outward. It gives 

 much more room in the house, and in case of fire, the fur- 

 niture is more readily removed, and the horses and cattle 

 more easily got out, and saved from injury. 



Farm-buildings should be planned according to the size, 

 and the produce of the farm. Grazing and hay farms need 

 few offices ; a dairy farm requires more ; while an arable 

 one, notwithstanding the invention of the thrashing-mill, 

 which contributes to render many large barns unnecessary, 

 must have very extensive accommodations. The cow- 

 houses should be so large, that the cattle may be tied sing- 

 ly. This is a great improvement, and the expense will not 

 probably cost above a shilling or two additional for each 

 animal. When stalls are made to hold two cattle, they are 

 obliged to rest always on one side, whereas in single stalls, 

 they may lie on either side, and without any fear of annoy- 

 ance from their neighbours. 



Although in buildings of an agricultural description, eco- 

 nomy in their execution is an essential point, yet in their 

 construction, a person of taste and judgment, will always 

 endeavour to arrange them, so as to give them a good ap- 

 pearance. 



2. Situation of the house and offices. The first object, 

 when a new set of farm-buildings is to be erected, is to fix 

 on a proper situation, which ought to be as nearly as pos- 

 sible in the centre of the farm, more especially if it be ara- 

 ble. Nothing can be more preposterous, than to continue 

 the old system, of having the farm-houses placed in vil- 

 lages, totally detached from the farm ; a plan which origina- 

 ted, from the want of domestic security in feudal times, or 

 the dread of foreign invasion. In many cases, a central 

 situation, according to the size of the farm, and other local 

 circumstances, makes a very considerable difference in point 



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