1920.] 



l^riLDINCJS FOR SiMALL 11<JJJ>KUS. 



471 



On a great many farms, therefore, certain unnecessary and 

 inefficient buildings may be dispensed with to provide room and 

 material for more up-to-date accommodation, making a really 

 useful farmstead. The materials thus provided will be to hand 

 on the site, no carting will be necessary, and the old material 

 not used in the actual adaptation may be utilised for road-making 

 and concrete work. 



Road-making is of importance, and a good approach is becom- 

 ing increasingly necessary with the extended use of mechanical 

 vehicles. 



Each case of adaptation must, of course, be dealt with on its 

 merits. It will be necessary, first of all, to know what accom- 

 modation is required, and how it can best be provided. A survey 

 of the buildings is necessary, so that the whole scheme may be 

 viewed in its true perspective, and in proper relation to its 

 surroundings. After the general scheme has been settled, 

 details may be decided on the site. In this connection it may 

 he well to advise against considering details before the general 

 scheme has been decided upon. The accommodation for cows, 

 stock, horses, pigs, and the various other animals on the farm 

 should be arranged for, and the position marked in the general 

 scheme; details as to position of doors, windows, &c., can be 

 considered after the main lay-out is settled. 



Old farm buildings frequently have many different floor levels, 

 with consequent steps and angles. Generally, on the ground 

 floor plan this can be remedied, and the floor made up to the 

 same level throughout. This alteration cannot be so easily carried 

 out on the first floor, however, especially in half-timbered build- 

 ings. It will make for convenience if all floors can be made 

 level. It is advisable, also, to square up a plan, if possible, 

 eliminating dirty and dark corners, and opening up covered-in 

 spaces. 



By dividing an existing farm into two or three holdings, it is 

 often possible to provide more accommodation at considerably 

 If'ss expense than if entirely new work were undertaken. The 

 accompanying illustrations of a farmstead on the Ministry's 

 estate at Bosbury, Herefordshire, afford an example of how 

 existing buildings have been altered, with comiiarativoly little 

 expense, to meet modern requirements. The farm buildings 

 have been divided into three, the house into two. A new cottage 

 will subsequentlv be provided for the third set of farm buildings. 

 The farm did not h^nd itself particularly well to division, but 

 with some ingeiuiitv it has been possible^ to ecpii]) two r)0-acre 



