Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-02-19
ECONOMY IN FARM BUILDING.

The construction of farm buildings
with view to economy and conven-
fence has never received the attention
in the west it deserves. Most farm
houses are modelled after those found
in villages and cities. They are often
constructed more for show than fOrreal
comfort The building of them in
many cases plunges the owner in debt
which causes him anxiety and trouble
during many years, if it does not re-
suit in his financial ruin. The ambi-
ton to have a good house on a farm is
a creditable one, but its erection should
be undertaken judiciously. In a prai-
RE country it is advisable to place it, if
possible, on an elevation SO as to insure
a dry soil and a good drainage for the
cellar A site that will command a
view of the entire farm is very desir-
able If farmer has but small means
it will be better for him to erect a mod
erately sized building at first, with a
view of making additions to it as his
family and means increase. A build
ing containing a spacious kitchen and
living room on the ground floor and
sleeping rooms on the second will af-
ford good accommodations for a small
family at little expense. 1t will serve as
the extension" of house to be erected
in the future. 1t is customary in cities
and villages to have the extension so
the house in the rear of it for many
reasons. The lot on which the build
ings are erected is generally long and
narrow. and it is necessary to utilize
the space to the best advantage. The
house, accordingly, stands with the
end to the street, while the portions
used for laundry, cooking, and dining
purposes are in the rear. A pleasant
view from this portion of the house is
regarded as secondary consideration,
as it is generally occupied by domes-
ties. In the country, where the mem
bers of farmers family do most of
their own work, this portion of the
house should be made as pleasant as
possible. 1t should extend from one
side of the main building, and notfrom
the rear end of it. This will allow the
windows on one side to command a
view of the street and on the other a
view of the garden. 1t is desirable to
have this part of the house project
from the sunny side of the main build
inc.
The kitchen in a farmhouse should
be large, especially if it is to be used
as laundry and q room for canning
fruit. 1t should be supplied with water
from cistern and well, and should
have passage leading to the cellar. 1t
is better in ever respect to have con-
veniences for doing washing in another
building at some distance from the FAM
lily dwelling. A building sufficiently
large for laundry can be built and
fitted up at very small cost. If ju-
diciously planned, it can be employed
for variety of purposes besides wash
ing and ironing. In summer it can be
used to good advantage incorporating
all the meals for the family. By doing
the cooking in another building the
dwelling may be kept cool and COM
paratively free from insects. All such
operations as trying out lard, canning
fruit, making preserves, and cutting up
meat can be performed in this building.
The men employed on the farm will
prefer to stay in this building during
rainy days to being in the house or. go
ing to the nearest town. If it is two
stories high, sleeping-rooms for labor
ers can be finished off in the upper
story. By having building of this
kind the dwelling can be kent in excel.