946 
used than are absolutely necessary, as 
they cut down the capacity of the engine; 
and when the water is to be pumped 
through a great length of horizontal pipe 
it is well to increase the size of the pipe. 
The cost of a two or three horsepower 
engine will be from $60 to $130. The cost 
of the fuel 1s very small, as a half hour’s 
pumping a day will furnish the average 
supply of water. 
The House 
Location 
In selecting a location for a house there 
are certain points that should be held in 
mind. A slight elevation, having proper 
surface drainage, with protecting hills or 
woods on the north, is greatly preferable 
to a narrow valley, a low meadow, or the 
north side of a hill. The house should 
face so as to get sunlight into all the 
rooms, if possible, for “where sunlight 
does not enter the doctor must.” This 
may be accomplished by facing the house 
southeast, for example, instead of di- 
rectly east or south. 
Foundation and Cellar 
After the selection of the site some 
study should be given to the character of 
the subsoil, the principal factors to be con- 
sidered in this connection being the water 
and the air. There is a certain amount 
of moisture in the upper layer of the soil 
which is the cause of damp and unhealthy 
foundations This dampness is derived 
mostly from the surface water, and is di- 
rectly proportional to the absorptive 
power of the soil and can be diminished 
by tiling and trenching. The ground air 
is rendered impure by the gases arising 
from the decomposition and putrefaction 
that are constantly going on in the soil, 
especially in that which is contaminated 
by household wastes. 
In the construction of the cellar the 
first thing is to provide such drainage as 
will draw off the water at least one foot 
lower than the surface of the cellar floor 
and prevent the ground air from passing 
through the walls and floors. In building 
the cellar walls every joint should be 
entirely filled with mortar. A good coat 
of asphalt over the outside of the wall 
turned in at the grade line with a course 
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 
of slate or bluestone above the ground 
level will prevent all soaking up of mois- 
ture. If a drain tile is laid just outside 
the footing course and the space on the 
outside of the wall is filled with sand 
and gravel all the way up to grade, the 
surface water will be carried away 
through the drain. 
The floor of the cellar is best made by 
a layer of brick or of cinder concrete, 
covered by a layer of asphalt and finish- 
ed by a 4-inch layer of stone concrete. 
A layer of well-beaten clay makes a good 
cellar floor, but it can not be so easily 
kept clean. The height of the cellar walls 
above the ground is important. They 
should extend a sufficient distance above 
the ground to admit of windows in the 
cellar at least 2 feet high. This will in- 
sure plenty of light and thorough ventila- 
tion. There should be cellar windows on 
all sides of the house. 
Plumbing 
Important Points to Be Kept in Mind 
There is a great difference of opinion 
among those who have made special study 
of sanitary plumbing concerning many of 
the details of construction and design, but 
the vital things to be kept in mind when 
laying out the system are to use the best 
material, isolate all plumbing, and con- 
centrate as much as possible. By “best 
material” is not meant the most expen- 
sive, but the most durable. Secure sim- 
plicity in all needed fixtures. Avoid com- 
plications in waste pipes. Select sinks 
without grease traps, bath tubs without 
inaccessible overflows, wash basins free 
as possible from fouling places, and water- 
closets without valves, connecting rods, or 
machinery. 
The drainage system must be so con- 
structed as to carry away completely, auto- 
matically, and immediately everything 
that may be delivered into it. It should 
be constantly and generally vented, fre- 
quently and thoroughly flushed, and have 
each of its openings into the house se- 
curely guarded from the entrance of air 
from the interior of the drain or pipe into 
the room. All drains, soil pipe, and waste 
pipe should be absolutely tight against the 
leakage of water or air. 
