SECRETAEY'S REPORT. 215 



walls, but small stones, gravel, and coarse sand, not being reten- 

 tive of moisture, are suitable banking material. The surface of 

 the ground around all buildings should be so graded as to turn 

 all water from foundation walls. 



ARCHITECTURE. 



The architectural construction of farm buildings should vary 

 with the location, with the purposes to be attained, with the 

 amount of capital to be employed, whether to be built with ref- 

 erence to economy or ornament, appearance or usefulness ; and 

 the style of finish may be varied with the taste of the proprietor, 

 whether the plain Tuscan or the more masculine and grand 

 Doric, the lofty-pinnacled Gothic, the light and elegant Ionic, the 

 delicately-beautiful Corinthian, or the Composite, being the 

 combination of the last two orders. But convenience and per- 

 manent durability should never be lost sight of, and all increase 

 of corners, projections, or indentations will be attended with a 

 corresponding increase of expense and complication of repairs. 

 No one plan or order is desirable for all ; besides, were all build- 

 ings from one pattern, the sameness would become monotonous 

 and the eye would not find that pleasant relief which it now 

 enjoys. 



GENERAL PRINCIPLES 



•with view to economy. The nearer square any building the 

 greater the solid contents in proportion to the external surface. 

 The roof being the most exposed and the most subject to decay, 

 should cover the greatest amount of space which may be effected 

 by increased height of the building, and as before expressed, 

 by bringing the building nearest to a square form. Roofs with 

 view to economy should not be less than the Roman, or two- 

 thirds pitch, and perhaps the Gothic, or a pitch equal to the 

 width may be still more economical. Flat roqfs should be 

 avoided. The penetration of driving storms is greater upon 

 them. Any slight defect is more easily penetrated by water. 

 The snow in winter forms a lodgment upon flat roofs, the weight 

 endangering the building. Roofs should project from two to 

 three feet over and beyond the walls of buildings, protecting 

 the walls from storms and the hot sun. Slate, tin, and shingles, 

 each have their advocates. Slate may be the most desirable in 



