RURAL HOMES. 3 



elevated position is, for many reasons, greatly to 

 be preferred. The advantage of wide extent of 

 prospect is obvious. Breadth of view is an ef- 

 fect which is appreciated by every one, and to 

 most persons it is an essential requisite to the 

 enjoyment of country life. But in order to ob- 

 tain this it is not generally necessary to seek the 

 highest positions, which are often isolated, bleak, 

 and inaccessible. Vistas and more satisfying 

 pictures are usually obtained from gentle eleva- 

 tions, especially if near the margin of a lake, or 

 river. But of more importance than the advan- 

 tage of prospect is the essential condition of good 

 drainage from the house. To this end it is well 

 if the crown of a rise can be obtained, so that 

 water shall flow in every direction from the 

 house. In this way the essential condition of 

 salubrious air in the cellar and around the build- 

 ings can be secured. Should it be necessary to 

 build upon a level plain, the house should be 

 placed so high that the cellar floor would be 

 nearly up to the level of the plain. 



Treatment. It is all - important that the 

 drainage from the house should be free and* 

 rapid, and also that the house be so well above 

 the general surface that the air will, circulate 

 freely around it. Trees of dense foliage should 

 never be allowed to interfere with this essential 



