On  the  Construction  of  Farm- Buildings.  307 
and  scale  here  proposed,  the  estimates  would  of  course  vary  much 
in  different  localities  and  with  different  materials.  I requested 
an  estimate  from  an  experienced  and  sensible  tradesman,  the 
general  result  of  which  I shall  here  give.  The  homestead  is 
supposed  to  be  constructed  of  brick  and  slate  in  a substantial 
manner,  with  good  and  well-seasoned  timber  used  for  the  wood- 
work. The  barn  is  supposed  to  be  13-inch  work,  and  the  rest  of 
the  brickwork,  without  exception,  9-inch.  The  spaces  between 
the  two  roofs,  east  and  west  of  the  barn,  to  be  fitted  with  lead- 
gutters  ; the  spouting  to  be  zinc.  The  size  of  the  spars,  side- 
plates,  &c.,  to  be  the  same  that  is  ordinarily  used  for  buildings  of 
the  dimensions  proposed,  and  the  estimate  includes  carriage  and 
every  expense  connected  with  the  matter.  The  total  amount 
given  was  900/.,  which  includes  a liberal  allowance  for  extras  of 
a minor  character,  and  out  of  it  320/.  is  required  for  the  barn, 
which  is  perhaps  that  part  of  the  plan  which  would  best  bear 
reduction.  And  when  compared  with  the  general  expense  of  new 
farm-buildings,  I think  that  this  sum  will  be  found  to  be  very 
small,  considering  the  amount  of  accommodation  afforded. 
Supposing,  however,  the  sum  of  money  to  be  expended  be 
limited,  the  general  arrangement  of  the  homestead  may  still  be 
retained  the  same,  at  a great  reduction  in  the  total  cost.  Sup- 
posing the  barn  to  contain  but  one  threshing-floor,  and  to  be  but 
60  feet  by  20  feet,  the  rest  of  the  buildings  but  15  feet  in  width 
and  8 feet  in  height,  the  chaff-cutting  place  and  the  oil-cake  place 
to  be  left  out,  and  a high  wall  be  substituted  for  the  loose  boxes 
on  the  east  and  west  sides  of  the  cattle-yards,  supposing  pantiles 
to  be  used  for  the  roof  instead  of  tiles,  and  posts  and  rails  to 
divide  the  yards  instead  of  brick  walls ; a homestead  may  be 
obtained  for  little  more  than  half  the  sum  named,  not  indeed 
complete  as  the  other,  but  still  possessing  many  of  its  advantages, 
and  still  providing  for  the  manufacturing  of  manure  under  the 
most  favourable  circumstances. 
With  regard  to  the  situation  of  the  homestead,  little  need  be 
said.  The  necessary  considerations  suggest  themselves  to  every 
mind.  It  should  be  as  near  as  possible  to  the  centre  of  the  farm ; 
it  should  be  well  supplied  with  water,  and  should  be  on  level 
ground,  so  that  a heavy  rain  may  not  flood  the  yards  from  the 
surrounding  land. 
The  stackyard  should  be  arranged  along  the  north  side  of  the 
homestead  at  a convenient  distance  from  the  buildings.  Instead 
of  placing  the  stacks  together  in  a large  square,  so  that  one  stack 
often  prevents  the  possibility  of  access  to  another  until  it  is  itself 
threshed,  it  is  far  better  to  place  them  in  a long  double  row,  so 
that  at  any  time  the  farmer  can  take  in  or  thresh  which  ever  stack 
he  pleases.  And  indeed  this  arrangement  naturally  suggests 
x 2 
