On  the  Construction  of  Farm- Buildings. 
235 
Fig.  2. 
granary,  and  another  hatch  in  the  floor  of  the  granary,  for 
hoisting  or  lowering  corn  or  other  articles  through,  from,  or  to 
the  straw-barn,  it  need  scarcely  be  remarked,  will  be  found  most 
useful  conveniences. 
Of  the  Engine-house  and  Boiler-shed  (for  plan,  vide  Plate  I., 
Nos.  3 and  4;  for  elevation,  vide  Plate  II.).  The  steam-engine, 
from  its  compactness,  its  efficiency,  economy  of  its  application, 
and  adaptation  to  any  situation,  is  coming  much  into  use  as  the 
motive  power  of  agricultural  machinery,  wherever  coal  can  be 
obtained  at  a reasonable  price  ; and,  in  consequence  of  its  un- 
rivalled fitness  for  the  purpose,  is  assumed  to  be  the  motive 
power  of  the  machinery  of  the  farmery  now  being  treated  of. 
And  no  doubt  the  diffusion  of  coal  at  a reasonable  price  through- 
out the  kingdom,  by  means  of  railway  communication,  will 
render  this  most  valuable  power  available  in  districts  even  the 
most  remote  from  where  the  mineral  fuel  is  found. 
In  a fixed  steam-engine,  its  weight  being  no  objection,  the 
strength  of  all  its  parts  may  be  much  greater  in  proportion  to  its 
reputed  power  than  might  be  consistent  in  an  engine  expressly 
constructed  to  be  moved  about ; hence  a fixed  engine  will  be 
steadier  in  its  action,  more  effective  in  power  for  its  size,  and 
more  durable  than  a portable  one,  and  therefore  always  to  be 
preferred  wherever  its  use  is  required  in  one  and  the  same  place. 
The  proper  position  for  a steam-engine  is  as  near  as  possible 
to  the  work  requiring  the  greatest  amount  of  power,  which,  in  a 
farmery,  is  the  thrashing  machine.  The  building  containing  the 
engine  and  boiler,  in  the  plan  referred  to,  is  therefore  placed 
adjoining  the  east  wall  of  the  barn,  to  which  the  roof  may  fall  at 
1 loot  below  its  eaves;  and  15  feet  by  12  will  be  a sufficient 
space  for  a building  for  the  purpose  to  occupy.  The  height  of 
the  east  wall  of  the  boiler-shed  may  be  8 feet,  and  the  chimney 
of  the  boiler-furnace  ought,  in  the  position  here  recommended, 
to  be  built  with  the  north  wall  of  the  straw-barn  and  granary. 
