THE CONSTRUCTION" OF POTJLTHY HOUSES 205 



Study the market conditions carefully by getting book ac- 

 counts and reports from the experiment stations for your par- 

 ticular locality. Wherever there is a restricted production on 

 account of large cities, and you can locate within a reasonable 

 distance, you will find good market conditions. The pa eel 

 post is making it possible for one to locate farther away from 

 the consumer, as it has a tendency to eliminate apparent 

 distance. 



Locate where the climate is healthful for j'our family as well 

 as your poultry. Good roads are a big advantage, as they aie 

 time-savers by facilitating travel. 



The farm itself should be located so as to avoid a northern 

 slope. With a southern and eastern exposure you will get the 

 early spring warmth and be protected from the prevailing 

 cold winds. Some shelter that will protect your building 

 from the prevailing cold winds means several degrees in tem- 

 perature in your houses. This shelter can be orchards, woods, 

 or hills. 



Air drainage is an important factor, and your farm should 

 be so located that when the cold air settles it will settle or 

 drain away from your farm buildings and orchard. It is 

 always colder in the valley than on the top of the hill when 

 protected. Locate your buildings above the lowest part of 

 the farm, thereby avoiding the settling or draining of the cold 

 air into your buildings. 



Natural grass meadow land is a great deal more profitable 

 than a dry gravelly soil, where it is almost impossible to raise 

 anything. Have your buildings high and well drained, but 

 do not forget or neglect to have good grass land for a pasturage 

 for your poultry. Choose a good soil (get a soil map from your 

 experiment station). If you are fortunate enough to have a 

 good spring on a hillside of the farm or running water you will 

 find it a great asset. 



The size of the farm depends, of course, upon the extent of 

 your f utm-e plans. A 10-acre farm will take care of a thousand 

 fowls and allow of your staying in the business indefinitely. 

 With large fields, square in shape, you will find that they are 

 accessible and easily ploughed and tilled. 



The accompanying plan (Fig. 89), designed by Mr. Thayer, 



