The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1921-11-03

particularly true when viewed with re-
ference to the disadvantages going with
1t. For such an arrangement makes
the living rooms dark and somber, the
exclusion of sunlight may render them
| unhygienic, and it is more Important
to have comfortable living rooms than
vast porches that serve mostly for de-
| corative use only. Furthermore, being
fully exposed, the housewife desires to
keep the porches tidy at all times,
which involves much extra sweeping
| and other caretaking."
Another violation Of Southern tralii-
ton involved in departmental plans for
Southern farm residences is the inclos-
| ure Of foundations.
Nothing spoils the looks Of house
SO much as for the structure to sit over
an open space as If on stilts," said one
| Of the architects Full ventilation
under the house can be procured with
out it,
| One Of the most interesting sets Of
plans developed in the Agricultural De
partment is predicated on. the ambi-
tious farmers desire to expand his
home as his family develops and his
means grow.
| Many beginner farmers want to erect
a small house to which they can add as
necessity arises. This desire has re-
suited in many OF the ugly and incon-
venient house construction found in
most country districts. The basis con-
struction isn't designed with a clear
view Of how future additions are to he
made. For help over that difficulty the
department offers to farmers three
installment design for residence, that
may grow harmonious lines from a
Afour-rOom cottage to five or six rooms
and then to seven or eight rooms At
any of the stages the house looks like
a real dwelling It's growth is not
along the lines of living space alone.
The first proposed additions are a new
kitchen and laundry, and with the
third installment bathroom is pro-
vided.
In fact, the departmental specialists
studies have led them to concentrate
perhaps most on the kitchen, the laun-
dry and the hathroom--the last two
being included in practically all Of
their designs. They insist that those
1.-TWO household appurtenances can be
included in virtually any style and size
Of rural dwelling.
i They have given much thought to the
kitchen and laundry for the reason that
those two parts Of the household bear
most poignantly on the housekeeper's
efficiency
! Why place the laundry invariably
on the first floor Of the housed" they,
were asked.
For the reason that no laundry
should be in the cellar Of any house.
except maybe the few that have cellars
wholly or mostly above ground. The
place where it is done should be dry
and warm in winter and cool in sum
mer which is not the case when the
laundry is in the CELLAR
| Another relative ingenuity found in
the house plans worked out In the Ag-
riculturaI Department relates to the
location OF the bathroom. Generally 1t
and the washroom adjunct of the laun-
| dry are accessible directly from rear
porch or doorway.
i "The farmer or his hired man comes
in from the fields and wants first to
wash up" they say. No good house
keeper wants him to track up her living
I room or even her kitchen in getting to
the wash room or bathroom. SO we fix
the bathroom or. better still, the wash
room-laundry. at location that may
seem odd to city folks but which makes
| 1t the more serviceable in the Gus
tomary country house."
| Another serious Inconvenience they
have sought to overcome is one having
to do with the entrances to most
houses.
During the busy parts Of the day,
the housewife spends much Of her time
1 in or near the kitchen III the rear Of
the house." they say. Answering calls
made at the front door Is bothersonae.' Z
Therefore, usually there is an en-
trance adjoining the kitchen and equal
" convenient as the front doorway. In
the house plans developed by the de-
partmental architects.
In addition to regular farm res
licences the departmental specialists
have also worked out practical designs
Of houses for workers. They are usual
1y small, two or three rooms, but design
ed with view to comfort, convenience
and harmony with the general home
stead. They include also bunk houses
for farms that during harvest periods
have to get the help of extra squads OF
male workers who have to be cared for
on the farmstead. The small workers
houses often would prove sufficient for
the beginner farmer and his wife with
out means for erecting large dwelling
In that case they should be set UP
with the view of becoming workers
houses after the farmer is able to put
up better dwelling for himself" say
the architects j" 1t should be located
1 Go SI,c% 4 xx,s1y int f1,n