Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-05-21
farlll \ fireside.
About Farm Buildings.


commotlious and convenient buildings
constitute a very important element In sue
cessful farming. A man may make money,
nav for land, and add to his barn stock,
without them; but we don't think he can
make as large per cent. on the capital IN
vested as he could If he had the buildings
and 1t is certain he cannot conduct his OPP
erations with equal skill, precision and com
bitterness, Where material is cheap anu
easy of access farm buildings are uniformly
rood. The timbered regions of New Eng
land and the Middle States are unexceiiea
nv any country of equal extent in quality
and quantity of farm buildings lheie VA
ne has been appreciated, and the ready anu
natural material OF the forest aeNo,eu 10
their construction. But the prairie ola.cs,
lacking timber, lack also sufficient iarin
huildinps; and the Southern States, though
nossessing much material, have hitherto been
foo devoted to specialties in Agriculture TO
feel tho need of ample accommodations for
a variety of farm products. Hence one OF
the most urgent wants of farmers through
out very large part Of the Union is suita-
bile buildings 10 shelter the stock and Sc
cure the grain. q.
The material most in use is wood, and II
will SO continue until scarcity anu eoEse-
ouent large cost compel the adoption OF
some other Brick and stone, more COSTLY
hut likewise more durable, will be USED:
Already the need of some other material
than shingles for roofs is urgent, anu ei,orts
to atapt various plastic compositions, nav
Inc for their base gas tar and some stony sub
stance. are Professionally made. The mater
al most generally in use in Europe is tile
hut the great weight of such roofs necessl
tates very strong structures TO supper
them but they are fire proof and durable.
The location of farm buildings i'll lhl
country has resulted from the circumstance
which influenced the first settlers. In til
New England and Middle States the farm
first carved from the wilderness were NJ
oyergrown, and the pioneers were the mead
of families or young men seeking perihahei
homes. From social considerations I'll
buildings were located on the highways, an
the small size of the farms rendered III
hauling of the produce TO them from the n
motest parts no serious matter. The.
reasons are still cogent and il Is not like
that the position of the buildings Will
changed to central parts of the farm, NJ
would il be expedicnt TO make such cham
as some writers advise. In the Southe
States. where instead of farms, large pla
tations were laid out and conducted by sla
labor, it was an obvious advantage to pla
the buildings apart from the highway a
near the center of operations. To the oW
er, with plenty of leisure, distance from
neighbors was of no account, and the OIL
interests of the community were better s.
served by isolation.
On large estates it would certainly be
sirable to locate the buildings centrally,
the tendency in this country is not 10 ?
manent large farms, and on small ana
dium sized ones the position by the roads
offers many superior advantages. Certai
to the passcr-by view of suitably adorI
front OF the homestead is more pleasing Il
one of its rear. AS rule the various ne
full buildings should not be scattered,
located together, so that all may and IN 81
tering a commodlous yard, ana ihal
work may be convenient, and the contt
and stock constantly under the eye OF
owner.