54 THE SMALL COUNTRY PLACE 



day the rooms, especially during wet and cloudy weather, 

 will become moist and unhealthful. During the winter, 

 when fires are kept up, the rooms may become dry 

 enough for health, but there is nothing like sunshine to 

 destroy the germs of disease in our dwellings. If pos- 

 sible select a site where there are pleasant views, a sheet 

 of water, a winding brook, extensive meadows, hills or 

 mountains. Some locations will of course afford more of 

 these beautiful features than others, but none should be 

 wholly devoid of something of beauty, that we will 

 want to have before us as much as possible. Unsightly 

 views or objects may often be avoided in the location 

 of the building, or be covered or hidden in the arrange- 

 ment or by after planting of trees. Outbuildings should 

 be put in the rear yet so as to be conveniently reached 

 from the house. These should not be in such a condition 

 as to need hiding, but should be kept neat and tidy and 

 so decorated with trees, shrubs and vines as to be ob- 

 jects of beauty. Having the stable and other outbuild- 

 ings connected with the house by sheds or covered pass- 

 ageways is a great convenience in cold and stormy 

 weather, but the connection should not be of such 

 heavy construction that it may not be easily pulled 

 down in case of fire in either end. 



The living-rooms should be upon the south where 

 there is plenty of sunlight and pleasing views. Here the 

 members of the family spend a large part of their time 

 and everything possible should be done to make all con- 

 ditions pleasant and healthful. If there are any rooms 

 into which the sun does not shine let them be the dining- 

 room, which is occupied but a short time three times each 

 day, or ttye parlor, which may not be but should be 

 opened upon more than "state occasions." We cannot 

 expect to combine in any one place all of the desirable 

 features above mentioned. 



