River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-07-17
The rarme-,s New House.
From the New York Times.


The Farme-'s New House.
From the New York Times
The hope of the farmer and the dream
of the farmer wife is the new house
which, when fortune comes aud the saw
ings suffice for it, crowns the life work
of the industrious pair and fulils all the
desires of the children. Having fol-
lowed strictly the good advice of the
wise man, First make it fit for thyself
i'll the field and then build thine house,
the farm has been put in order, the
fences have been permanently made,
the fields have been drained, the stables
and barns have been built and furnished
with all the modern improveme nts, the
stock has been selected and improved,
and if man might be content and
feel inclined to take his ease and eat
and drink and be merry, our farmer
might certainly thus enjoy him
self. But for years he has promised
his faithful companion and helpmate
that when this and that have been ac-
complished, and nothing else remains to
be done, the new house shall be built.
And the time has come, and all the
suggestions that years IF work and ex-
periences of discomfort have called
forth have been noted down as q basis
for plan that shall be perfect. But
low many such cases have happened
when this, the ctimacteric point of ones
life has been reached, that it has been
found only source of disappointment
at a time when it is really too late to
mend and all for want of experience IN
such matters. One must build at least
three houses before he can avoid even
serious blunders. And then he will
have learned at least the principal re-
quirements for comfortable and
healthful house. And these We will,
from our own experience in business,
endeavor to recapitulate.
First, THE site must be chosen
where the cellar will be perfectly dry
or can be madeso by easy and thorough
drainage; where the house can be
sheltered from the northwest winds and
be open to the east ard south, and where
the surface water will flow away in all
directions, leaving the foundations quite
free.
Second. The water supply must be
ample and perfectly pure, and be
brought so close to the house as 10 be
easily reached in fine weather, and for
winter it should be brought into the
house.
Third The necessary outbuildings
should be located conveniently for ac-
cess, but with perfect safety as regards
drainage, that the water supply shall
not be contaminated.
Isl 81 l. ba
pivotal point Of the establishment,
around which the rest of the house may
be grouped with regard to convenience
and comfort. II should be large, well
lighted, face the cast, have high cell
ing. and be provided with range,
water-bacl1 with boiler, a sink provided
with drain, and a pump from the well,
or by means of two-way pipe this
pump should be connected with tho
we'll and cistern both. IT. should have
closet and Gtore-room large enough TO
hold full supply Of groceries for at
least half year.
Fifth. Outside there should be
laundry, with stationery tubs connected
with the boiler in the kitchen, and with
Il rainwat cistarn made over this apart
ment, into which the ROOF water should
be led. The overflow from this cistern
should go to another cistern dug near
the house outside. From the laundry
a stairway should go to the cellar.
SIXTH The cellar should not be
more than feet below the ground and
fully feet above it. having plenty of
windows to let in light and air when
There should be no wood
about the cellar; the floor should be
and the walls and piers made
of brick
Seventh. ~ The main living room
should be on the south side of the
house and have large bay-windows,
through which the blessed sun may come
and bring life and health and happiness
all the day. Never mind if the carpets
fade or the furniture covers are bleached
white; the mothers checks will have
hhe roses, and the children viii be
brown and hearty.
Eighth. There should be a hall
through the house, running from west
10 East, so that with both doors open
stream OF fresh, pure air, laden with the
sweet scent of the roses outside, may
pour through the house.
The parlor may be on the west and
north, and here the good careful house
wife may cherish her bright carpet and
ler unstained furniture fearless of the
suns rays, excepting those golden ones
which come low, slsnting in from the
vest, but which are harmless from want
If chemical action, and yet beautiful
md cheering. A broad veranda may
.un from the west front around the
north corner, providing a cool retreat
or summer evenings, gossips, and a
shelter from the wintry bluster of rude
Boreas. The hall should be wide,
irving room for broad stairs, and
ihese should have an easy
dope, with low, broad treads and land
n2s between the floors, so that the old
iolks may go up and down with ease
and comfort to their now stiffened limbs
and their wearied muscles. The living
room should have an open fireplace,
md no account should be made of the
Dust of il as compared with its cheer
and comfort. Space forbids more than
4 word or two as to the upper rooms,
but if we can fully appreciate and
these hints, so far as given,
i will not be difficult TO arrange these
but one must never forget
that abundant fresh air is indispensable
10 healthful rest and sleeping rooms
should have high ceilings, and. if posi-
bic, every one of them an open fire.
place and large windows.