Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-29
How 10 Select n site for a Rural
AOme.

The most important and most difficult part of
the establishment OF a rdral home is the selec
ton OF a site. A home ought never TO stand on
the top OF hill, although It is specially des!r.
able to secure broad landscape view. In as
cendiDg hill, go just far enough to make the
hill vantage ground; but leaving the highe,
slopes above you, to cut OF the winds and
storms This" said friend. sis superb. why
did Dot you set your house heree" We stood on
high point overlooking the whole spread Of a
fine valley, with villages at our feet replied
This Is Tine place TO visit, but not TO live
upon The Winds sweep IL. and ft has. like all
hi'itopS, sense OF isolation. II possible get
just far enough up to retain the neighborIy
ieenng-a sensation OF rest ana peare. The
hillside looking over the flat meadows, with
their CATTLE not too far from other homes, with
the protecting hill behind. gives what you above
The next point TO look out for is the rarieto
OF outlook. The scenery should not present
itself all at once. IN single grand stretch; but
open In new variations as you move about
your homestead. This depends somewhat upon
Iudicious paintings, but equally upon natural
slopes and SWaleS var1egated landscape de-
peDdS upon variegated surface for your nome
I0L 100 much stress cannot be laid on this
point. The finest landscape In the world will
grow dull without variety.
Other things being equal, the first Level CT
landing place on hillside is best, as It gives us
control OF the outlook. No one can build below
US In such way as TO cut OF the prospect A
large proportion OF country houses are at the
trees, or barn. or the house itself is set direct
~ IN the line OF vision of a bit OF fine woodland
or Water TO SELECT a site that no one can 10 ar
is aosoiGteiy essential TO your future comfort.
vnfr )ortaDt 10 urge the conSidera Ion OF health
fulness OF location; but it Is by no means q su-
pei fluouS suggestion. TEere Is more than usual
Beed OF looking out for the drainage of neigh
DORIS barns and sewage that comes from above
you. found a reservoir OF water fed by drains
was mus poisoned by a neighbours kitchen DRAIN
age, not less than 100 rods away. The clay sub
SOIL was full OF small streams that connected our
bitches. 1t Is equally important TO avoid glen
sides where the quiet atmosphere often allows
The mlasma OF the marShy spots to accumulate
IN health Ia the country, diphtheria oa hill
sides is OFTEN due TO these unnouced causes It
must also be borne In mind that our Clay hills
are very retehtiye or moisture ana need thor
ough drainage. In central New York agIe Is
very rare, but the only case have known of
for the past ten years occurred on a steep hill
SIDE, from local causes
For an outlook there IS vast preference for
the morning sun. IL possible. secure south
east exp sure, open 10 the full sunshine and
sheltered from vest and northwest winds.
can point out village that is one week in
advance In spring OF a village lying ten miles
TO the north, and OF another lying ten to the
solth The advantage In autumn Is not always
equally great. | have frequently season six
weeks longer than my Delghb0r5 one mile TO
the west above me aid below me the same dis
lance Ia the valley. This advantage Is one or
no small moment especially when your whole
S'opo Siop. vi oNCu dJ LILIES your CUTu, Is
dependent upon it. Two years ago perfectly
rfpened 1sabellas, Dianas and Goethes while
even Concord5 were a failure few miles
away In all directions. To escape one frost Is
often the key to a successful year. The morn
ing sun is also most delightful and conducive 10
health.
A point OF great Importance to lovers OF fine
scenery Is the Landscape OF the sky In Sc
lectiDg home we should place few things
ahead OF the possibility OF enjoying the due
Sunrises. or, II Lot, sunsets; II possible, both
There is no time to quicken the pulse and fed
the soul Ike early morning. The genuine lover
or nature is an early riser. He likes to be alone
with the world. A northern exposure is not
only TO be avoided because OF its GampneSs AID
chflliness, but because Ii is not bright morn
ing outlook. A western exposure Is windy and
overhot OF summer afternoon: but IL may CON-
pensate With superb sunsets. Ga the whole
give us southeast outlook and a morning call
from the Day King.
The soil is not the least important considera-
ton In selecting your house lot All other
things being favorable, cold, wet soil Is a
serious drawback. On hillside, drainage
however, may generally obViate the diff
Guilty. For fruit stout clay Is preferable
TO sandy soil, as the trees, growing more
slowly, do not crack. For pears ana grapes
and cherries especially loose clay is the best
soil.
These are the simple first principles of select
Ing country home. Most OF the points tndica-
ted can De In every case considered, although it
Is seldom that we can avoid all drawbacks or
secure every advantage The vast majority Of
pretty cottages or capacious farnhouses need
lessly lack advantages that by a little FORE
sight might have been secured.-E. r. Po;oell.
ia independents