ON FARM -BUILDINGS AND LABOURERS' COTTAGES. 245 



formerly; for we now find in many parts of the country excellent 

 cottages fitted up for the accommodation of farm-labourers. This is 

 generally in the best-improved districts only ; for although it is plea- 

 sant to have to note this improvement, still there are many parts 

 wretchedly deficient in this kind of farm-buildings, and hence farmers 

 in such districts cannot get on at the same pace as their more fortu- 

 nate neighbours who have the requisite cottage accommodation for their 

 labourers. 



A cottage for a labourer should contain at least four apartments 

 namely, a kitchen and three bedrooms besides a pantry, w.-c., and 

 coal-house; and in each room there should be a wall-press. The 

 cottage should either be a double one, all on one floor that is, the 

 kitchen and principal bedroom should occupy the front half, and the 

 bedroom for the boys and the one for the girls the back half or with 

 kitchen and one room down-stairs, with two rooms above. No cottage 

 for a married man should contain fewer apartments, as, without such a 

 division as to bedrooms, proper moral conduct cannot be well main- 

 tained in a family. All that is wanted for a labourer's dwelling is a 

 cottage suitable to his circumstances and wants, and I think that these 

 can be met by such as I have described. Many of the cottages inha- 

 bited by labourers are disgraceful both to the landlords and tenants 

 under whom they sit ; but it is gratifying to see that in most parts there 

 is a spirit of improvement being exemplified in respect to labourers' 

 cottages, which must ere long result in placing the labouring classes in 

 the position they ought to be. 



When we come to consider the cost of erecting labourers' cottages, it is 

 difficult to state a sum likely to act as a guide to any one, as so much 

 depends on local circumstances and the material of which the cottage is to 

 be constructed. If the cottage is to be erected of stone, much depends on 

 the nature of the stone, and the distance of the site of the cottage from 

 the stone quarry, which affects the cost of cartage. Where stone can be 

 got at all convenient, it is the most preferable for the purpose, and is 

 much more substantial than bricks. Good foreign timber should in all 

 cases be used. It is mistaken economy to use home-timber grown on 

 the estate on which cottages may be erected larch timber especially, 

 as it is so very much apt to twist and split. Good oak timber is the 

 only exception in this case, as it might be used in certain cases with 

 propriety ; but, generally speaking, good oak timber can be sold for a 

 much higher price per foot than foreign timber can be bought for. Slates 

 are best for roofing. Some proprietors prefer tiles, but it is always 

 economical to use slates, as they cost less than tiles in keeping up after- 

 wards. The kitchen should be paved with flags, and all sleeping-apart- 



