i8?6.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
9 
JL 
A Farm House Costing $3,000. 
BY 8. B. HEED, ARCHITECT, CORONA, LONG ISLAND, N. Y. 
This plan will be recognized as comprehending 
the general characteristics of those given in the 
American Agriculturist for Oct. and Nov., 1875. It 
is designed to be constructed of similar materials, 
with a like variety of pleasing and decided outlines, 
Fig. 1.— ELEVATION OP FARM HOUSE. 
plans provide for a cellar under the principal 
building only, which gives a clear space of 22 x 25 
feet. If desired, the space beneath the wing may 
be included at an additional cost of $65. The ex¬ 
cavations for the cellar in the earth, is 3 feet 8 
inches deep, this allows the foundation walls 
to be 7 feet high. The earth thrown out is to be 
graded around the building to the bight of H foot, 
thus leaving two feet of the foundation exposed on 
the outside. Country houses 
are frequently set so low 
down, as to be a matter of 
regret ever afterwards. 
There are constant accumu¬ 
lations of dust, and other 
matter, caught and held by 
the shrubbery and grasses, 
so that there is soon dis¬ 
covered a seeming growth of 
the earth upward around 
the house, and immediate 
grounds, making it impos¬ 
sible to adapt the grades 
that are desirable. It is far 
better that foundations are 
a little too high than too 
low, for when too high, the 
approaches can easily be 
, raised at any time, with a 
few loads of earth; but 
when too low, there seems to 
be no cure, except to raise 
the entire building. — The 
Foundation walls are design¬ 
ed to be constructed of 
and to give an equal amount of accommodation and 
convenience. The division and arrangement of 
the several parts, however, are entirely changed, 
being especially intended to meet the requirements 
of a location having a western frontage. Location 
is an important consideration, involving many 
questions of adaptation, that should always guide 
to the selection of such a plan as will express a 
natural fitness for the situation, and truthfully 
indicate its purpose... .Exterior, fig. 1. Only 
two feet of the foundation walls are exposed to 
sight, which brings the frame work of the building 
quite near enough to the ground. The surface of 
the earth surrounding such buildings, should have 
a grade of at least inch to the foot, for the dis¬ 
tance of 50 feet in every direction, to insure the 
turning away of all surface water from the walks 
and grounds. Another good result derived from 
such grade, is the additional altitude given to the 
building, imparting a much better appearance. The 
general outlines of the elevation are very simple, 
devoid of all pretentious ornamentation. The wide 
frontage, the large and numerous openings, and 
ample roofs, are each expressive of frankness and 
hospitality, eminently befitting the home of the 
farmer. The front Porch is unusually wide, and 
arranged to have large columns, and stationary 
seats at either side. The Bay Window has square 
projections, instead of octagonal, which are equally 
appropriate in this case, and less costly. The Cor¬ 
nices of the principal building project 20 inches, 
and those of the wing 16 inches, and both are pro¬ 
vided with scroll sawed trusses. The chimney tops 
are large and heavily capped. The same general 
finish, as is shown on the front, is put on the sides 
and rear, so that the building presents an equally 
complete and satisfactory appearance from every 
direction. Buildings of this character should be 
set back from the street line at least 50 feet—150 
feet would be much better—to give room for trees, 
shrubbery, and walks.,.. Cellar, (fig, 2), The 
broken stone, laid in coarse mortar, as more partic¬ 
ularly described on page 372, Oct. American Agri¬ 
culturist _ IFirst Story, (fig. 3). Ilightof ceil¬ 
ings 10 feet. Entire floor measurement 1,200 square, 
feet, affording ample space for good sized apart¬ 
ments. The several divisions have especial regard to 
comfort and convenience. The Front Hall, or recep¬ 
tion room, is nearly square, of good dimensions, is 
enteredfrom the front porch through double or fold¬ 
ing doors, and adjoins the parlor, and living-room, 
and contains the principal stairs. The Parlor is 
unusually large, is provided with windows in its 
sides, and has stucco cornices and centers in its 
ceilings, with an arched finish in the bay window.— 
The Living or Dining-room is commodious, pleas¬ 
antly situated, with outlooks front and rear, and is 
easily accessible all around. The Family-room is 
large, connects with the dining-room and parlor, 
and is intended as a sitting or sewing-room. If 
occasion require, this room might be used as 
the bed-room of au invalid. — The Work-room, 
or Kitchen, is conveniently arranged to have a 
range, boiler, pump, sink, wash-tubs, and pipes for 
cold and hot water, and adjoins the dining-room, a 
large pantry, and a rear entrance door, and has a 
private stairway leading to the second story, with a 
closet underneath. The Pantry is of ample dimen¬ 
sions, is conveniently arranged with shelving, and 
has a zinc wash-tray, with cold and hot water-pipes, 
and adjoins the kitchen, dining-room, and a china 
closet. The latter is useful for storing wares not 
required daily.—The rear shed is paved, and the 
cellar doors are constructed as described on page 
373, October American Agriculturist ....Second 
Story, (fig. 4). Hight of ceiling 9 feet in main 
building, and 8 feet in wing. Floor measur- 
ment 1,276 feet, divided into 8 good sized rooms, 
besides halls, closets, and stairways. The princi¬ 
pal hall connects with each chamber in main 
building, and one room and passage in wing. 
The door between principal hall and wing-pas¬ 
sage, may be closed at any time, cutting off com¬ 
munication at pleasure. The side or “breast” 
walls iu the wing, are vertical 3 feet, and are con¬ 
tinued upward at an angle of 45° to the ceiling, 
thus securing sufficient head-room. The bath-room 
is exactly above the kitchen, and contains a tank, 
bath-tub, and seat-closet, with pipes for cold and 
hot water_Attic.—The stairs to this are over 
the first flight, and are designed to be neatly ceiled 
in with 44 inch beaded ceiling boards, with a door 
at the foot. Double windows in each gable, admit 
sufficient light, and afford ventilation_Sfce- 
marks on Construction. —An insight in¬ 
to the character of this plan, is best had by care¬ 
fully considering the materials and cost in the 
estimate below. We would urge the importance 
of good methods and workmanship in construction, 
without which all materials, however good or suf¬ 
ficient, can never produce good results. The old 
maxim, “ whatever is worth doiug at all, is worth 
doing well,” especially applies to building a home 
iu which one is to spend a lifetime. This does not 
imply extravagance in any sense, only demanding 
such caref ul and intelligent application of the ordinary 
rules of construction, as shall insure substantial work, 
that will not be a continuous source of anxiety and 
expense. Any one of ordinary intelligence, should 
be able to generally superintend the operations of 
the mechanics employed in constructing a farm¬ 
house. The following points are of the greatest 
importance. Carefully watch that the foundation 
walls are substantially laid ; and accurately leveled 
on their upper surfaces, so that the doors 6hall not 
strike the floor or carpets in opening, nor the tables, 
chairs, [or other furniture be obliged to stand on 
three legs. The frame-work when raised should 
be plumb, so that all work on or in the building 
can be cut square, and applied without tedious 
fitting. The siding should be thoroughly “sea¬ 
soned ” in the open air before using, and carefully 
applied with close joints, and well nailed. The 
edges of all water-tables, corner boards, and win¬ 
dow frames should be painted before setting. The 
shingles should be carefully laid, breaking their 
joints at i of their width, and double nailed. The 
flooring should be dry, close laid, and nailed with 
two nails to each beam. The partitions should be 
set with studding of selected widths ; and their 
angles or comers should be anchored firmly to¬ 
gether, to prevent the walls from cracking in those 
parts when finished. The chimneys should be 
carefully constructed ; all joints between the brick¬ 
work should be surely filled with mortar, to pre¬ 
vent sparks from passing through to the frame¬ 
work. All mortar for plastering should be properly 
mixed, and allowed sufficient time, (at least one 
week), for the thorough slacking of the lime, and 
a complete permeation of its caustic properties. 
Thin coats of plastering are better than heavy ones. 
A mortar that does not crack in setting or drying, 
is sure to be good. The interior wood finish should 
not be commenced until the plastering is com¬ 
pletely dried out, and all loose mortar is removed 
from the building. All wood work usually painted 
should be primed as soon as in position. For more 
explicit remarks and sundry suggestions on paint¬ 
ing, see page 212, June American Agriculturist, 1875. 
Estimate of materials and Cost: 
110 yards Excavation, ® 25c. per yard.$ 27.50 
1371 feet. Stone Foundation, @ 15c. per foot. 205.05 
3.000 Brick, (furnished and laid), ® $15 1000. 45.00 
46 feet Stone Steps, Sills, and Coping, ® 30c. per It. 13.80 
1,030 yards Plastering, complete,® 35c. peryard.3:0.50 
5713 feet Timber, @ 2c. per foot... 114.26 
viz. 1 Sill, 4x8 in. x 186 ft. long. 2 Girts, 4x8 in. x 25 ft. long. 
6 Posts 4x7 in. x 21 ft. long. 57 Beams, 3x8 in. xl5 ft. 1’g. 
3 Posts 4x7 in. x 14 ft. long. 86 Beams, 3x8, in. x!3 ft. 1’g. 
