152 ARCHITECTURE. BOOK I. 



mills driven by water are what the rural designer may take the 

 greatest advantage of, as will be afterwards shewn in the 

 proper place. 



SECT. VIII. OF THE HABITATION OF THE HUSBANDMAN. 



Ever since agriculture became a distinct profession, the ha- 

 bitations of farmers must have been different from those of the 

 other classes : 1st, As to situation ; they being almost always 

 solitary, and unconnected with either villages or towns : and 

 2dly, In having a number of houses or sheds for cattle, as well 

 as ricks of corn and hay, attached to them. These grouped 

 with a few trees, and connected with the surrounding fields by 

 hedge-row timber, or even by hedge-rows alone, must at all 

 times have a pleasing effect. 



In these cursory remarks, it would be unnecessary to inquire 

 into the original forms or progressive improvements in farm 

 buildings, or to notice the various modes of arrangement in 

 different parts of the island. There is scarcely a class of build- 

 ings in which there is less risk of erring ; for if the farmer be a 

 man of spirit who understands his business, he will be the best 

 contriver of his own offices ; and if he be not, the improve- 



