324 ENGINEERING ON THE FARM 



near the center of the long side of the farm would be a happy 

 compromise. 



The highest land should be selected for the house, which 

 should front the road at a distance of from ioo to 150 feet. 

 The yard may be a half -acre to an acre in extent, and the 

 garden and orchard from a half-acre to two acres, according 

 to the suitability of the locality to the growing of fruit and 

 vegetables. Many fruit trees are well adapted to use in 

 the yard as shade trees. 



The barn site should be a little lower than the house and 

 in a direction other than that from which the prevailing 

 winds blow. Such an arrangement will prevent water from 

 draining toward the house and minimize the odors carried 

 by the winds. Usually 125 feet between house and barn is 

 sufficient. The hog house should be somewhat farther 

 away; cribs and granaries should be between barn and hog 

 house for convenience in feeding ; and other buildings should 

 be arranged so as to reduce the travel necessary to reach 

 them. A garage, particularly when used for the storage 

 of gasoline and oils, should be removed some little distance 

 from the other farm buildings. 



While separate buildings may be used with profit, it is 

 often advisable to consolidate some of the smaller ones. 

 Wood, coal, and cob storage and an outside toilet can usually 

 be provided in an end or corner of another building such as 

 the machine shed. Garage and shop make a good combina- 

 tion. 



Styles of buildings, roofs, roof coverings, sidings, and 

 floors have already been discussed in the chapters on build- 

 ing materials and building construction. These will vary 

 largely with the locality, the nature of the farming operations, 

 and the individual ideas of the owner. Each building added 

 should be consistent with the other permanent buildings 

 on the place and in line with those on adjoining farms. 

 Temperature, leading farm products, and availability and 

 cost of materials determine to a considerable extent the class 



