The Northern Pacific farmer., 1884-07-17
The Farmers New. House.:

From the New York Tmesy. ,..... :
The hope of the farmer and the dream
of the farmer wife is the new house
which, when fortune comes and the saw
ings suffice for it., crowns the life,work
of the Industrious pair and fu1f1s all the
desires of the children. Having fol
lowed strictly the good advice of the
wise man, "First make it fit for thyself
in 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 &C.
complished, and nothing else remains to
be done, the new house shall he built.
And the time has come, and all the
Suggestions that years IF work and ex-
speriences of discomfort lave called
forth have been noted. down as basis
for plan that shall be perfect But
how many such cases have, happened
when this, the climacteric point of ones
life has been reached, that it has been
found only q source of disappointment
at time when it is really too late to
mend; and all for want of experience in
npo 1,,;7l o. ~
three houses before he can avoid even
serious blunders. And then he will
have learned at least the principal re-
quirements for a comfortable and
hes.lthful house. And these we will,
from our own experience in business,
endeavor to recapitulate. o.
First. The site must be chosen
where the cellar will be perfectly dry
OF can be made so by easy and thorough
drainage; where the house can be
sheltered from the northwest winds and
be open to the east and 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 to be
easily reached in fine weather, and for
winter it should be brought into the
house. 81.
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.
Fourth. The kitchen should be the
pivotal point of the establishment,
around which the rest of the house may
be grouped with regard to convenience
and comfort. It should be large, we'll
lighted, face the east, have a high cell
ing, and be provided with a range,
.water-back with boiler, sink provided
with a drain, and pump from the well,
or by means Of a two-way pipe this
pump should be connected With the
we'll and cisterns both.;: IT should have
doset and a store room large enough to
hold a fill supply Of groceries for at
least half a year.
Fifth.-Outside there should be a
laundry, with stationery tubs connected
with the boiler in the kitchen, and with
a rainwater cistern made over this apart
ment, into which the roof water should
sbe led. The overflow from this cistern
should go to another :cistern dug near
the house outside. From the laundry
d stairway should go to the cellar.
Sixth The cellar should not be
more than 5 feet below the ground and
fully 3 feet above it, having plenty of
windows to let in light and air. when
necessary. There should be nowood
about, the cellar; the floor should be
cemented and the walls and piers made
of brick. u - - "
= Seventh. The main living-ro
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 cheeks will have
the roses, and the children will be-
brown and hearty. .r;s,5tt s1,zie:ssrvs,ey =
Eighth.-There should be hall
through the house, running from west
TO East, SO that with both doors open a
stream of fresh,s 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
her unstained furniture fearless Of the
suns rays, excepting those golden ones
Hhichs come low, slanting in from the
west, but, which are harmless from want;
e - ~ 1on-rlk,,1