THE FARM HOMESTEAD. 117 



Sufficient openings at the ridge must be provided as a 

 means of egress and to insure a perfect and continuous 

 circulation. This may be done by simply letting every 

 alternate ridge-tile rest on the edges of the neighbouring 

 tiles which are arranged on the ridge-piece. The inside of 

 all buildings for the use of live stock should be lime-washed 

 at least once a year. It is false economy to allow doors and 

 windows to remain long without repainting ; two coats in 

 plain colours every three years will keep them in good con- 

 dition. Formerly farm homesteads were seldom furnished 

 with eaves spouting ; this entailed an outlay considered 

 quite unnecessary. Practical experience has long convinced 

 us of its utility. Where there are no spouts the eaves drip, 

 and soak into the walls, causing them to be invariably damp 

 inside. The bricks being constantly saturated with water, 

 a severe frost setting in shatters them into fragments. 



The chief points to consider in the erection of farm home- 

 steads are efficiency and economy. Both are frequently 

 sacrificed to whim. As a case in point, w ? e were con- 

 sulted a short time ago as to the sale of a small and 

 very compact estate of good grass land, which had for 

 many years been occupied by the late owner, who a few 

 years before his death was induced to erect what was called 

 a model homestead. The property w r as put up to auction, 

 and, after several abortive attempts, was eventually sold for 

 less than the cost of the buildings. Landlords would best 

 study their interests by having buildings erected under the 

 inspection of a competent man, as is the case where the 

 money for the purpose is borrowed from Land Improve- 

 ment Companies, and spent under the supervision of the 

 Land Commissioners. 



