CHAPTER 68 



PLANNING THE FARM AND FARMSTEAD 



Economy in the management of a farm and the pleasure in farm life 

 depend to a considerable extent upon the plan of the farm, the arrange- 

 ment of the farmstead and its position on the farm. A plan that will meet 

 the needs of the farm for a long period of time calls for a plan of farm 

 operations that is likely to be most successful under the conditions which 

 prevail. These consist of crop adaptation, market demands and other 

 factors discussed in preceding chapters. 



Location of the Farmstead. — The farmstead includes that portion of 

 the farm on which is located the farm buildings and feedlots, and generally 

 includes the garden, orchard and ornamental features. The farmstead is 

 the center of the business operations of the farm and from the business 

 standpoint should be centrally located in order to economize in time in the 

 performance of all farm operations. On the other hand, the farmstead is 

 the home of the farm family, and many factors which contribute to the 

 ideal home may be opposed to those which pertain strictly to the farm 

 business. From the standpoint of the home, the farmstead should be 

 near the public road. It should be in a sightly position and have a pleasing 

 outlook. Proximity to a lake, stream or wooded area may add to the 

 attractiveness of the home surroundings. These factors may not be 

 available if the farmstead is centrally located. 



The central location economizes time in getting to and from the fields. 

 All four sides of the farmstead are directly connected with the fields. It 

 makes possible minor rotations immediately adjacent for the pasturing 

 of livestock so that they are near buildings, have access to water, shade and 

 other protection. From the central location the manure is more easily 

 returned to the fields and the crops are more easily brought to the barns. 



The location will generally be a compromise between the business and 

 the living requirements. If the farm is not too large, it will often be possible 

 to locate the farmstead on the public highway in the center of one side of 

 the farm. This brings three sides of it in contact with the fields and at the 

 same time has the advantage of the public highway and nearness to the 

 market, school and church. 



The best position for the farmstead will be determined by the several 

 factors that must be considered. If, for example, the trips to town are 

 very numerous as a result of the character of farming, the children who go to 

 school, etc., it may be equally as saving of time to have the farmstead 

 located on the part of the farm that will bring it nearest to the place or 

 places where members of the family must go. 



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