20 FARM HOUSES A^D OFFICES, See. 
Mr. Pomeroy says, t( It appears to have been 
formerly a very general custom, to build farm houses 
in low situations ; undoubtedly for the convenience of 
water. Most of the old buildings continue in such 
places ; and as it is but seldom that the whole require 
to be rebuilt at once, it will probably be some time be¬ 
fore they are in general extricated. The inconve¬ 
niences, and even losses, are however so great, that no 
small saving can counterbalance them. It cannot be 
necessary to point out to those who are interested in 
this subject, what they are, nor the advantages of re¬ 
moving their buildings to more elevated spots, and 
where the land will of course be sounder. One cir¬ 
cumstance, however, as not being so immediately con¬ 
nected with the general system of this district, it may 
be right to mention, and that is, the opportunity ob¬ 
tained, of conveying by rain, melted snow, or streams, 
naturally descending from the still higher grounds, in 
winter, the most valuable parts of the manure produced 
in the farm yard, over the adjoining lands; an acqui¬ 
sition, the importance of which is not easily conceived 
by those who have not seen it practised. Some of the 
old farm houses are well built, and convenient; most 
of the newly erected ones have the same advantages, 
and are in general well situated ; some of which may 
be said even to grace the county, and as such, may be 
classed with its greatest modern improvements. 
u A great deficiency in the offices of the middling 
and lower sized farms, is the want of sheds for cattle in 
winter; besides the quantity of fodder they destroy, 
and the mischief they receive, from being exposed to 
the inclemency of the weather, it is not unusual to ob¬ 
serve many acres round the yard, very materially in¬ 
jured by their constant treading. This grievance, 
particularly 
