732 



Cottage Kestoration and Adaptation. [Nov., 



be much improved as a habitation by judicious felling, since 

 trees hold the damp to an extraordinary extent. 



Heavy creepers, on the other hand, should not be too readily 

 condemned. Walls which, when overgrown with ivy, may be 

 perfectly dry, are often found to be pervious to wet when stripped 

 of their clothing. 



Tn selecting a site for a cottage our forefathers had not the 

 circumspection of to-day. Light, air and the natural benefits of 

 the sun were not recognised ; in fact it would appear that they 

 were almost avoided, snugness, in a spot well protected from the 

 force of the prevailing wind, usually being the principal con- 

 sideration. In reconstructing a cottage it is sometimes advan- 

 tageous to reverp'^ fh'^ aspect so as to bring the sun into the 

 " henrt " of the house. 



3Juch has been said about cottage planning in the last few 

 years, but the variety of plans on which buildings may be con- 

 structed appears inexhaustible, and where one is hmited by the 

 existence of the ' ' shell ' ' of the house in which to plan a new 

 interior, the problem becomes the more fascinating. 



To get full accommodation and yet to keep within a strictly 

 limited cubic capacity, in order to save in every detail of con- 

 struction throughout, to provide the greatest comfort, to incur 

 the least labour in upkeep, and at the same time to practise 

 economy in every detail are matters which can only be handled 

 in the light of experience. 



Tn the actual carrying out of the work the country builder, if 

 he is a good man (and he so often is) , can be most valuable. It 

 is a mistake often made to think that, because certain details 

 have been drawn or specified nothing should therefore be allowed 

 to alter them. The rural builder of the proper type is up to a 

 thousand dodges and tips in matters of small construction and 

 repair, not to be learned in architectural schools or offices. 

 He will respect, and help you if you use him and his knowledge ; 

 but if he is treated merely as a means of carrying out to the 

 exact letter what is shown upon the drawings, much good advice 

 may be missed. 



The Ministry is indebted to the Editor of " Country Life " 

 for the loan of the illustrations which accompany this article. 

 The illustrations are taken from " The Country Life Book of 

 Tottages,'' by Sir Lawrence Weaver, who kindly permitted 

 th'. ir use. 



