64 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 



tion of the prevailing summer breeze, with the result that it often re- 

 quired some determination to ignore the consciousness of the prox- 

 imity of the barn lot to the dining room. Painting was rather ex- 

 pensive and therefore quite often omitted, which did not enhance the 

 general appearance of things. The record soon revealed a rising tide 

 of repairs that demanded attention. 



As a result of our experience, gained in the course of years and 

 at some expense, I have found it more satisfactory to lay out a build- 

 ing plan for the farmstead as a whole, governed by the location of 

 those improvements already made and substantial enough to be re- 

 tained, and by the size, topography and contemplated method of op- 

 eration of the farm itself ; and then to construct buildings of a better 

 and more permanent character, with due regard to their relationship 

 to each other as to conveniences and architecture. Such a plan has 

 much to commend it, as it saves both regrets and expense and attains 

 a more desirable result in the end, for one is assured when improve- 

 ments are made from time to time that they will be in the right place ; 

 without such a plan an unsatisfactory arrangement is almost a cer- 

 tainty. 



As to the drainage, most of the tile were lateral strings, of small 

 size, emptying into small open ditches. Ofttimes, the tile were not 

 adequate to take the water from the whole watershed to which 

 they were servient, with the result that when the neighbor decided to 

 drain his land, it was necessary to relay with a larger size or put in 

 another extra string. So with the tile as with the buildings, it was finally 

 deemed better to make a complete plan first. When considering the 

 drainage of a farm, therefore, a complete survey of the entire water- 

 shed was made, and on the basis of the acreage and annual rainfall an 

 estimate of the sizes of tile needed to do the work. Of course, maps 

 of these surveys were made and filed for reference so that the location 

 of the tile might be determined. 



For years prior to 1896 and since, these farms have been operated 

 as grain farms. Formerly, too large an acreage was planted to corn, 

 and a little to oats; and while clover was intended as a part of the 

 system, it so frequently failed as to be almost as much theory as prac- 

 tise. Wheat was then added to the rotation ; which was changed as 

 follows: the pasture averages about ten per cent of the farm, two- 

 fifths of the balance is put in corn, and one-fifth each to oats, wheat, 

 and clover. Thus about half of the farm is in corn and wheat and the 

 other half in oats, clover, and pasture. In 1905 applications of phos- 

 phate rock and, soon thereafter, of limestone, were begun and con- 



