Evening journal., 1914-03-03
SEEKS TO BETTER
HOMES ON FARMS
Department Of Agriculture
offers Plans for o Model
House at Small Cost

The Department Of Agriculture has
made public the first Of a series of
plans for farmhouses to be prepared
by its specialists with a view TO en-
abllng farmers TO construct inexpen-
sive and better homes. The objects
sought in the plans are to provide
structures reasonable in cost and Of
good material and so arranged as to
give the maximum in health. COM
fort and happiness to the family and
added convenience to the housow o
in her domestic operations.
The provision of proper ten .
houses on farms, it is believed, #
increasing Importance to farm man
agement because Of tho increasing
number OF rented farms. the growing
demand of tenants for modern houses
and a better understanding of the in
fiuences OF the home upon farm labor
and field efficiency
The census report of 1910 showed
an increase during the previous 10
years of more than $4,000 rented
farms Many of the new tenants
moved into good houses vacated by
! the owners. but many others are
living in buildings wholly unsuited
to their needs. The cost of these
houses commonly is inconsistent with
/ the value of the farms. and the lack
of improvements in them too often
is in striking contrast with the out
buildings, farming machinery and
field equipment.
Planning Simple Structure.
The tenant house planned by the
department is a simple, four-cornered
structure. without bay windows
gables and dormers, or any pro
lection save the cornice. which
overhangs and protects the walls
and window openings The hous,
is planned for the smallest di
mensions and the most inexpensiv,
arrangement consistent with Tho
needs and the convenience Of small
family. II has but one chimney anC
but one outside entrance.
It is economical. for instance. L
have but one outside entrance to thi
house. With this entrance nearest thl
barns and the entrance from the high
way and treated as il is with tn
simple and inexpensive pergola ant
benches. which separate the lawn an'
the back yard. IL should serve ever,
purpose of a front door, and as wei
also a kitchen door.
Notwithstanding the simplicity an,
the playhouse appearance of TN
building suggested by the department
it provides more usable space for th
daily activities of the family thar
many larger houses. It IS more con
venient for a small family more com
Portable. healthful and delightful thar
many farmhouses costing twice a
much.
Kitchen Holds Many Advantages.
Very few residences Of any size o
cost have a kitchen more pleasant
located better lighted and ventilate
and more conveniently arranged tha
this little four room house. It
frightened by the morning sun, coole
by the southern hfeezes and shielde
from the intense heat OF summs
afternoons. II. commands n view
the garden, the Fairgrounds. u
barns the lawn. the gate and II
: highway. II opens on to a screene
porch which. i'm summer. is the mos
livable nook I'm the house. Much {
the kitchen work may be done theI
away from the fumes and heat of III
stove, which. happily for the othC
4 rooms C the house blow out :hrOug
the uoril and east windows.
The stove ii well lighted. and. wit
q the porch window closed. II is out +,
y the cross drafts of air I is with
4 six feet of the most distant fiNtui
in the kitchen and but little farth'
8 from the dining table. All stove utei
n siles are within reach and the wor
d table and the fuel in the box bencat
4 il are but two steps away. The ash,
a drop from the iirebox Of the sto'
through a short pipe to the ash bi
Il beneath the concrete floor
The fuel box, supporting the tab
d top. occupies space which migl
n otherwise be wasted II is filed fro
\ the outside of the house and empti,
X from the inside through a small DO,
i over the concrete floor.
\ The carrying of fuel and ashes
4 thus eliminated from the woman
4 work. provided the man or 10Y III
4 the coal or wood box each week.
as may be necessary. and empties Ii
N ash bin or three times a year