Oxford Democrat., 1914-02-03

farmer To-Day, a1ter ueOucelng uVe per
cent interest on his investment, Is less
than $40O. This does not mean that the
houses may not be attractive. They
may, il intelligently planned with the
help of vines, shrubs and trees, become
the prettiest spots in the landscape, and
more beautiful and inexpensive than the
crowded city houses.
The tenant-house problem is growing
in importance as can be seen from the
fact that the number of rented farms in
creased by more than 1924, 900 during the
last decade. To-day little more than
half the farms iu this country are oper-
ated by the owners.
TO ECoNoAIzE THE HOUSEWIVES
STRENGTH.
The possible economy in household
labor and the conservation of the
strength of the housewife are two i'm
portant factors to be considered in the
construction of q farmhouse. Pleasant
and comfortable farm homes tend to
hold families together; but the cheer
less, uulovable and insanitary houses
drive boys and girls to the cities. In
vestigation Of prisons, insane asylums
and houses of correction, seem TO prove
the fact that the sins which account for
the existence of these institutions are
often bred iu inadequate and unhappy
farm homes. So this social aspect Of
the proplem is considerable.
The public is awakening to the fact
that better farm houses are needed, and
the special feature which many farm
papers now issue as "H0use Building
Number" proves its interest to thou
sands of readers.
The Office of Farm Management Of the
Department of Agriculture has now uu-
dertaken to investigate this problem
systematically and to evolve, II possible,
practical improvements for the benefit
of the farmers homo.
Certain features are often overlooked
in providing economical arrangements
for the household when they might be
easily provided for. One of the special
lists of the Office of Farm Management
learned from a woman in Pennsylvania,
who had broken down from overwOrk,
that she had been carrying coal from the
barn for years. When the husband was
asked if there was any reason why coal
bunker could not have been provided
near the cook stove and filled directly
from the wagon, he answered that there
was none, but that no one had ever
thought of it. This one detail has been
found neglected 10 other cases whore IL
could have been easily remedied, II only
someone had thought Of it.
After economy in the construction OF
the building and in the house work has
been attained, attention will be given to
developing beauty. Simplicity In line
aud good proportions are meant by the
use Of this word beauty, and not go
called applied "ornaments." This sim
plicity is entirely in keeping with gen.
eral plan Of economy.
Economy, however, Is not synonym
for chsapness. Double strength glass
NAV even be moro economical in . ten
ant house than single strength, notwith-
standing its greater first coat. A kitch'
en- sink may be paying investment al
though it excludes bay window, or
fireplace, which has been the pet notion
of the housewife. Screened-in kitchen
porches, sleeping pOrches, double ol
triple windows and kitchen conven
fences are fine economical feature,
which even the smallest house plans
NAV we'll consider. Separate dining
rooms for families that generally eat II
the kitchen are less important, a. arr
"parlors." These separate rooms may
have complete systems ct plumbing
heating and lighting which evolve 20
dit ional expense. The kitchen Is to'
most important room In the farm house
For the average farmer, economy BAR
room especially reserved for wedding
and funerals. A back stairway in email
houses is an unnecessary luxury. Larg'
halls which are never used to live in
but merely as thorougbfares, are . fes
ture which can DO dispensed with In th'
interest of smaller outlay Of money.
Other features that should give va.
to a comfortable and convenient kitchel
are narrow porches, filigree work, mum
erous angles 10 walls and roof, useies
doors. There should be an intslligen
purpose for every cubic foot OF sPac
and COR every piece of material about tn
building, il possible. -. T.,
Itmay not DO found practicable 10
the Department Of Agriculture to fur
uish plans and specifications OF iaru
houses worked out for particular indl
vidual needs. However, 1t 10 believer
10 be desirable to work out plans an
spsclfications for the general needs o
farmers and to illustrate and explain Gu
nl.ns 40 that the farmer may under
stand the principles involved and sppI
them when be remOdels his presen
houas. The cfice of Farm Management
h endsavoring to help the farmer an
shs farmer's wife along these lines.