HABITATIONS 275 



Shallow gravel and sand upheld by a basin of clay are 

 far from healthy, and clay as a site must be avoided if 

 dryness of the building is to be secured. Damp soils are 

 known to be productive of disease, though of course they 

 may be improved by drainage. (See Soils.) 



The position should be such that drainage is secured, but 

 in dealing with this side of the question it must not be 

 forgotten that the conditions which will secure excellent 

 drainage may seriously interfere with the water supply, for 

 instance when the water has to be pumped to the farm from 

 some distant source. Under any circumstance the water 

 supply must be abundant, or the place had better not be 

 built. 



It would be a wise precaution in all cases where the 

 existence of water is not evident, to spend money in sinking 

 a well, and assuring one's self of the permanence of the 

 supply before a brick is laid ; and while this is being done 

 the height of the ground water at the proposed site of the 

 buildings can be ascertained. 



The ground water should not be nearer to the surface 

 than eight feet, and if it is fifteen or twenty feet below the 

 ground line so much the better. 



If water is obtainable in abundance, the soil good, such 

 as deep gravel, chalk, or rock, and the position sufficiently 

 elevated to secure drainage, then the question of aspect 

 may be considered. 



It is generally believed that a S.E. or S.W. aspect is 

 the most advantageous, perhaps that one which gives the 

 greatest shelter from the coldest wind would be the best 

 general statement. In the building of a homestead great 

 advantage may be taken of putting larger structures like 

 straw barns, granaries, and food stores, in such a position 

 as to break the cold wind before it enters the part occupied 

 by the animals. 



Another point to consider is sunlight, especially in the 

 case of buildings in towns and cities. Dark stables can 

 never be healthy, the influence of sunlight in controlling 

 disease is remarkable, and when opportunity exists as in 



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