Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-09-07
The Site of the Homestead.

The Site of the Homestead.
In our overgrown cities the citizens are
content 10 have their houses TO live in. The
inherent meaning Of the word shows they
seek covering merely, and such only they
obtain for the blank walls Of brick or stone
project out on the sidewalks to the extreme
limit allowed by law But in the broad open
fields Of the country, the lungs must have deep
er draughts Of pure air and the heart beats
with stronger throbs for more than a mere
dwelliug-place. 1t yearns for something
beyond the enclosing walls and the over
stretching roof Not content with the sweet
word Home-my cover, the place where we
live--country living gives us the enticing name
of Homestead, the place Of our cover. And as
all words contain within themselves memo
ries Of the scenes and struggles through which
they have fought their way to win the prize
of immortality, So to our mind, the affec-
tion.prompted homestead reveals commu-
Mon with nature and with the simpler pleas
ures Of country life, that the dwellers in
houses huddled together confess they do not
enjoy or appreciate. To those who are, or
may be- be-thinking themselves Of thus loca-
ting a household, few hints will not come
amiss They are, or should be, building not
only for themselves, but, like the home-lov-
ing English, for the generations Of descend
ants to come after them and all advantages
that nature affords should be laid hold Of to
endear the place of the home to all.
Lord Bacou's advice TO seekers after sites
and locations, was to avoid i'll ways, III mar
kets, and i'll neighbors. In addition to these
excellent suggestions, should be considered
the healthfulness Of the district, convenience
Of a,cess, suitibeness Of the ground, altitude,
and aspect Location, in all its phases, should
be studied for several days, or at least until
one is entirely satisfied that he has decided
upon the most desirable location that is avail
able. In ATTITUDES where cold Dorthery,
storms prevail, II has been affirmed that none
but q ninny will ever erect his dwelling on
the summit Of hill, unless there should be
another hill at the windward Of the location,
to shield the dwelling and out-buildings from
the cold and furious storms Of winter. In
contradistiction to such a quaint maxim, it
has been contended that he who builds his
dwelling in low, fat ground by the side Of
river, furnishes custom for the apothecary
and physician, employment for surgeons and
coffin-makers, and frequently jobs for grave
diggers. If the sunny side Of slope is avail
able, or the south side of ridge or hill, such
locality will be exceedingly desirable. In
case the farm should extend back over one
fourth of mile from the highway, it would
be a matter Of great convenience and econo-
my, in many respects To locate the dwelling
and out-buildings near the middle of the cul-
tivable land. 1t is bad, in many respects, to
choose location near the highway, simply
because the custom is prevalent Of erecting
the dwelling and all the out-buildings near
some public road, when there are other loca-
tions far more desirable near the centre Of the
farm. Privacy, quiet, and the home feeling
decide otherwise
No combination of circumstances will ball
ance the lack of pure atmosphere. The Vi
cinity Of stagnant ponds and marshes, the
borders Of sluggish streams and all situations
where the soil is too retentive Of moisture and
cannot be easily and thoroughly drained,
should be avoided. A house in such situa-
ton is no less uncomfortable than unhealthful,
being continually damp and chilly. Next in
Importance to pure air is good water, point
sadly underrated, and yet of such value as to
make more snowy advantages comparatively
worthless. The adaptation of the surround
ing soil to culture and the growth Of trees,
must be considered. A good garden plot
about the house is needful but even poor
soil in our land can be wrought up to bear
productivity Let half an acre be between
the gate and the door.
A somewhat elevated site has many advan-
tages-beauty Of prospect, salubrity, and dry
ness of air, facilities for drainage, etc.; but
it is comparatively difficult Of access, and in
our nothern sections, unless sheltered on the
north and west by higher grounds or belts Of
trees, it is bleak and uncomfortable in winter.
Some valleys, however, are equally bleak, ths
wind sweeping through them with power
unknown even on the hilltop. Besides, u
little cottage nestles better in quiet nook at
the base Of hill, while the larger villa is
better placed on the summit.
As to the aspect, no rule can be given that
will hold good in localities, as a northern and
eastern aspect, in some sections Of the coun-
try, will be found uncomfortably cold and cut
ting in winter while in other attitudes a
southern and western aspect will be disagree
ably hot and wet Each person must decide
for his own locality, what aspect will coincide
most satisfactorily with his particular site.
la many sections of the country the coldest
aud most severe storms always come from the
north and west. In such places a southern
aspect will be found decidedly preferable TO
any other, as kitchen and living-room would
be more pleasant and comfortable on the
south than on the north side Of the dwelling,
during cold weather. In localities where fu-
rious storms prevail in winter, the aim should
always be, il practicable, to locate the build
ings behind some hill or forest, where the
dwelhng-house and abodes of domestic ami
mails may be screened from the chilling blasts
and pelting storms.