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THE HOUSE:
MANUAL

OF

OR,

HOW

TO BUILD

COUNTRY HOUSES AND OUT-BUILDINGS;

EMP.RACING
THK ORIGIN AND MEANING OF THE HOUSE; THE ART OF HOUSE-BUILDING, INOLUI>
DESIGNS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF
INO PLANNING, STYLE AKD CONSTRUCTION
COTTAGES, FARM-HOUSES, VILLAS AND OUT- BUILDINGS, OF VARIOUS COST
AND IN THE DIFTERKNT STYLBS OF ARCHITECTURE, ETC., ETC. AND
AN APPENDIX, CONTAINING RECIPES FOR PAINTS AND WASHES,
STUCCO, ROUGH-CAST, ETC.; AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR ROOFING,
BUILDING WITH BOUGH 8T0NB, UNBUBNT BRICK, BALLOON
FHAJdES, AND THE OONCKETE OB GBAVEL WALL.
;

By
AuTiioB OF

D. H.

JACQUES,

"The Garden," "The Farm," "Domestic Animals," "How

Do

Business,"

Ualil oouimou sense Ondj

ila

"How

way

to Writb,"

"How

into architecture, there

to Talk," etc.

cau be

little

hope

for

it.

Ruskzh.

NEW YORK
THE AMERICAN NEWS COMPANY,
;

39 AND 41 Chaiubees Street.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by

D.

H.

JACQUES,

Ea the O'erk's Office of the District Court of the United States for tbc

Southern District of

New

York.

NEW YORK
RUSSELL BROTHERS, PRINTER^
17, 18, 21,

23 ROSE ST.

PREFACE.
Is this countiy everybody builds a

them.

Everybody, then, should

house perhaps several of

know something about domestic

architecture, in order to build to the best

advantage to secure

the largest amoimt of convenience, comfort, and beauty in his

dwelling which his means and materials will permit.

It has been
our object, iu the preparation of this manual, to promote the dif-

fusion of this needed knowledge

The works

among the

people.

of the lamented Downing, with all their acknowl-

edged imperfections, have done much to enlighten the understandings and improve the tastes of our people on this subject.

Much

of the

improvement which has taken place ia the

architecture of this country, within the last fifteen years,

to their influence.
their circulation,

But

rural
is

due

and cost have been a bar to

their size

ay^ coufiued their direct action upon the public

mind within a comparatively narrow circle. The same remark

will apply with more or less force to the excellent works of Calvert Yaux, Wheeler, Cleveland and Backus Brothers, and other
recent architectural writers.

We

have aimed heie

We have

at h wider, if

condensed into this

jority of readers will care to find in

pared to appreciate and profit by

within the reach of every

man

not a stronger, influence.

volume

little

in

it,

and

all

that the great ma-

all

that they are pre-

and have placed the whole

America who

will ever

have

occasion to erect a house, a barn, a stable, or a piggery, by placing

it

at a price

which no one

will be too poor to pay.

We

aim, by

these means, at a universal circulation and almost unlimited

usefulness.

Preface.

VI

The plan and execution of our work

We

are fully aware of

lic will

will,

its

will

speak for themselves

imperfections, but hope a generous pub-

not allow them to blind their eyes to the merits wliich

we

trust,

full coniideuce,

be acknowledged to possess.
in their hands.

We

leave

it,

it

witb

CONTENTS.
I. ORIGIN

AND MEANING OF THE HOUSE.

Tho Wigwam and the Tent The Hut of the Afri.'.an Origin of the Tent Th
Ancient Log Cabin Hall of the Saxon Thegne How it was Constructed
Norman Novelties Origin of Chimneys and Glass Windows The Castle,
etc. Significance of the House- Meaning of the Various Styles Expression
Page 9
of Individual Character

n.- HOUSE-BUILDING
Futtdamental Principles Fitness or Utility Expression of PurposeExpression of Beauty Considerations Influencing Choice of Site- Healthfulness
Convenience of Access Suitableness of Ground Altiiude Aspect Trees,

etc. Adoption of a Plan Importance of having a Matured Plan Adaptation of Plan to Site Pecuniary Means as Influencing a Plan Wants and
Tastes of the Family to be Considered Geneml Form Economical View

and the OctagonSquare Houses- Advantages of Irregularityof Rooms Labor-Saving Convenience

Comfort Provision for Guests Using the Best Rooms Recommended
Sleeping Apartments- Bath-Room Pantries, Closets, Passages, etc. Chimneys and Stairs Style of Architecture Should be the Natural Outgrowth ol
the Character, Institutions etc., of a People- Nn American Style yet Originated Reasons Why Promise of the Future- Classification of Styles Circumstances wliich should Guide in the Choice of a Style- Climate as Influencing Architectural Style Southern and Northern Houses Contrasted Situation to be Considered - Plan and Size Materials in their Relation to Style
-A Hint in reference to Local Truth-Materials Wood- Stone Brick-

The

Circle

Aspect of

Rooms Arrangement

Concrete Miscellaneous Details Cellars Chimneys Modes of Warming

Houses -Tlie "pen Fire-place - Grates -Stoves Hot-Air Furnaces, etc.
Ventilation Exterior Color, Interior Color, Wall Paper, etc. RoofingStucco - Rough-Cast - Drainage -Trees, Vines, etc. Errors and Absurd14

ities

m.- COT PAGES OF ONE

STORY.

Preliminary Eomarks A LogCabin A Ilexagor Plan Plan for Three Rooms

etc. A SoullitnJ Cottage Another Cheap Cottage Plan Plan for Addition*
An Extempore- House Estim;ites Verandas PlansThe Scale Doors,

etc. Rats

in Cell.ir;^

-Outside Painting Balh-Rooms

45

Contents.

viii

IV. STORY- AND- A-HALF COTTAGES.

Preliminary Remarks Plans for a Small Cottage An Italian Cottage An

English Cottage Plan Building for Show A Subiirhan Cottage A Gothio
Cottage Attic Rooms Architectural Finery A New Method of Ventila-

tionCedar Closets A Symmetrical Cottage A Semi-Southern CottageSinks Chimneys Speaking Tubes Beauty and Ecoi.omy
Page 67

v.HOUSES OF TWO STORIES.

A Country Parsonage " Fruitland" Cottage -Mr. Mann'
A Southern House A Square CottageA Stone Country
House Cement for Stopping Joints A Circular HouseOrnamental Roofs
A Swiss Cottage Importance of Arrangement A Double Cottage
73
Gothic Cottage
Octagon Plan

...

VI. FARM-HOUSES.
What

Farm-House Should be Mr. Graef 's Farm-IIouse

Farm-Houso

Plan

99

VII V

LLAS.

Downing's Definition What it Should be A small Villa in

the Italian Style A Brick Villa A Gothic Villa A Picturesque Villa
Southern Villa An Octagon Villa
105

What

is

a Villa?

AND OTHER OUT-BUILDINGS.

VIII. BARNS,

RemarksLewis

F. Allen's Barn Mr. Ch.nmberlain's Octagon

Shelter Cheaper than Fodder Elevators in Barns Mr. Beckwlth'g
Octagon Barn A Circular Barn A Side-Hill Barn Stables An Octagon
Poultry-House A Piggery An xVshery and Smoke-House An Ice-House
An Apiary A Play-House A Rustic Garden-House
129

Preliminary

Barn

IX. CHURCHES AND SCHOOL-HOUSES.

A

Village

Church A Choice

of Elcvations--A School-House Remarks.. 158

APPENDIX.
Rough Stones Hollow Walls- Building with Unbumt Brick
Dr. Buchanan on Cellars Recipes for Paints, etc. Roofing Concrete or
Gravel Walls Specifications Balloon Frames How to Build Cisterns -A
Cheap Ice-Rooia
I6>

Building with

THE HOUSE.
I.

ORIGIN AND MEANING OP THE HOUSE.

Mucb

of the character of

I. THE

every inau

may

be read in bis house. Douming.

WIGWAM AND THE

S

"tlie groves

TENT.

were God's

first

tem-

were they
the earliest dwellings of man.
The

ples," so, undoubtedly,

dense foliage of the trees afforded

protection against the too fervid

rays of the noonday sun, and their

hollow trunks, and the caves among

the rocks which they

overhung,

served as a shelter from the fury of

the storm.

By

twining together

the tops of saplings growing near

each other, and

ces between

bn^ken from other

constructed.

At

is

men

of the

sat-

first ages.

a later day, and in a less genial climate, dwellings wero

lar form,

them

fctices

bough-houses were readily

supposed to have originated, probably

the wants of the

constructed by cutting

ing

the spa-

These, in the Eden-like climates of the East,

where the race

isfied

trees, arbors or

filling in

them with branches

down

trees

and placing them,

in a circu-

with their tops leaning against each other and fastentogether, branches being interwoven and the inter-

filled

with clay.

Of

this description is the

wigwtun of

The House.

10

American savage. In other cases a frame-work of

was covered with strips of bark or skins of animals. The
dome-like mud huts of some of the African tribes, with holes
two or three feet high for doors, through which one must enter
"on all-fours," advance in point of architecture one step further.
Out of the necessities of a pastoral life grew the invention of
tenti, which were at first made of the skins of animals and afterward of felt and various kinds of cloth. On each green and
the North

poles

chosen spot these portable habitations could be spread in a

moment, and

Even

as readily removed.

at the present day,

The Arab band,

Still

Across the sand,

bear their dwellings

And

light,

'neath the slvies

Their tents arise,

Like spirits of the night

II. THE

LOG CABIN.

The inventor of the rectangular log-house should have been

immortalized; but, alas! he is unknown, and the date of the

^iyil]iWT,
-1 ^'fl

Kig.
first

dwelling of

loiiji;

aiH)

1.

tiiis

-The Anciunt Loo

kind

is

Cabin.

nowhere recorded.

However

that event iiuiv iiave occurred, tie foundations of tho

Origin and Meaning.

were then securely

art of domestic architecture

The

first

11

oblong house, covered by a sloping

roof,

established.

whether

its

walls were constructed of logs placed horizontally one above the

other, in the

shown

American backwoods

or of upright posts, as

style,

in the foregoing engraving, contained the

cottage, the mansion,

and the

III.THE

villa

germ of the

of to-day.

SAXON HALL.

Speaking of the Saxons, Turner, in his " Early History of

Domestic Architecture in England," says:

" Witliout meclianical

skill

work the

to

quarries

made by

the Romans, and while the habitations of the mass of the people

were

mud

or

of which the fire

wooden huts of one room only, in the middle

was kindled, the Saxon thegne built his hall

from the woods of his demesne by the labor of his bondsmen.

It was thatched with straw or reeds or roofed with wooden
shingles.

Its

plan was

little

more than

its

name

implied

ca-

pacious apartment, which in the daytime was adapted to the

patriarchal hospitality of the owner, and formed at night a sort

of stable for his servants, to whose rude accommodation their

master's was not much superior in an adjoining chamber.
The

was kindled

fire

in the center of the hall, the

smoke making

way

out through an opening in the roof immediately above

the hearth, or by the door, windows, and eaves of thatch.

its

The

lord

and

his

'hearthmen'

given to his most familiar retainers

which

significant

sat

appellation

by the same

fire at

was cooked, and at night retired to share

the same dormitory, which served them also as a council
their repast

chamber."

The Normans introduced little change in the general plans

of dwellings, the chief room and single bedchamber still prevailing,

even in regal residences.

architectural novelties betokened

It

was

in details chiefly that

French

influence.
Chimneys
were generally unknown till the fifteenth century, although a
few examples occur curlier. Shutters and canvas, instead of

glazed windows, continued in general use in dwclling-housef

The House.

12
to the reign of

Henry

notwithstanding painted gla9s

III.,

foi

church windows was not uncommon in the twelfth century.

Of the castles, monasteries, and moated granges of a later
Their general forms are
day it is not necessary to speak.

made

familiar to

all

by means of pictures and engravings of

our picture-galleries and

scattered through

all descriptions,

The manor-house and the

books.

villa of

seventeenth centuries form the basis of

IV. SIGNIFICANCE OF

We have hinted at,

many

the sixteenth and

a

modern

design.

THE HOUSE.

rather than described,

some of the changes

through which the dwelling-house has reached its present external form and internal arrangement but our brief statement
will serve to indicate the fact, that each change has resulted
;

from a corresponding change in the habits, wants, and tastej

The house of each epoch forms a chapter in
of the builder.
the world's history.

In the

wigwam

of the savage

we

recog-

nize an expression of the rude life of the forest-born hunter,

would require, as well as the

which might provide, anything beyond a mere shelter.
The tents of the nomadic tribes are not less significant of
lacking the refinement which
skill

their habits

and modes of existence

While ou from plain

to plain tliey led their flocks,

In search of clearer gpring and fresher

So have the log cabin, the

hall of the

field.

Saxon

thegne, the feu-

dal castle, the monastery, the grange, the manor-house, the cottage, and the villa, their readily comprehended meanings.
Each was called into existence by the exigences of the social
period to which it belongs, and reveals the principal features in

the

life

of

"The

its first

truly remarks,
tian,

inhabitants.

different styles of domestic architecture," as

"the Roman, the

Italian, tbe Swiss,

Downing
the Vene-

the Rural Gothic, are nothing more than expressions of

become perThus the gay and sunny temperament of the south o^'

national character which have, through long use,

manent.

and Meaning.

OkiTtIn

13

Europe is well expressed ia the light balconies, the grouped

windows, the open arcades, and the statue and vase bordered
homely yet

terraces of the Venetian and Italian villas; the

strong and quaint character of the Swiss in their broad-roofed,

half rude,

and curiously constructed cottages; the domestic

the love of rural beauty and seclusion can not

virtues and

possibly be better expressed than in the English cottage, with

its

many upward

pointing gables,

bay windows, and

cious

its intricate

tracery,

its

spa-

covered with vines and

walls

its

flowering shrubs."

Domestic architecture

is

not only capable of expressing the

characters and customs of nations and epochs

versities of opinion, feeling, taste,

and are

also clearly

individual di-

and modes of

may be

life

embodied in the human dwelling.

Mere

utilitarianism expresses itself in a square or oblong box-like

house, with walls and roof built only to defend the inmates
against cold and heat

windows intended

admit the light and exclude the

only to carry

the smoke,

oft'

for nothing but to

and chimneys constructed

air;

love of ornament and show,

unguided by either sound judgment or cultivated

all

taste,

give us

and incongruous combinations of styles

the form of villas and villas like castles of the

sorts of absurd

build cottages in

middle ages

ture,

and

Good

ance.

set all the

laws of

and domestic habits are equally

cumstances, to
house.

fitness

and order

at defi-

sense, a true love of the beautiful, I'efinement, culsure,

make their impress upon tlie

Hospitality smiles

in

under favorable

cir-

walls of the dwelling-

ample parlors; home virtues

dwell in cosy firesidg family rooms

intellectuality

is

seen in

well-stocked libraries, and a dignified love of leisure and repose

in cool

and spacious verandas.

Much

of the character of every man,

read in his house.

the foundation,
ter.

If

If

it will

he has taken

internal-details

thoughts and

and

life

he has molded

it is

it-;

truly said,

may be

leading features from

give a clew to a large part of his characit

use,

from the hands of another,

show

at a glance

it

will, in its

something of the daily

of the family that inhabits

it.

The House.

L4

11.

H
He who Improves

U S E

B U

L D

N G

the dwellings of a psople, In relation to their comrorts, habits, and moraw,

makes a benignant and

iastinj; rt^fnrni at the

very foundations of society.

VUlace aiid fitrin

outages.

I.FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES.

AVING
origin,

its

traced the dwelling-house to

ita

and pointed out the significance of

various forms,

we

shall

now, before

presenting the designs and descriptions

which form the main body of our work,

proceed to lay before the reader a few
practical hints

and suggestions on the

general subject of house-building.

hints

and suggestions

briefly expressed

These

will necessarily

be

but their importance

must not be measured by the space they

occupy.

have

AVe
j^teUji^jLi^r^

or three

little

to do here with the

theory of architecture

but there are two

fundamental principles involved in

which we wish,

house-building

at the outset, distinctly to impress

upon the

reader's mind.

Adaptation

1.

the
is

first

the

use

to Use.

In

erecting a building of any kind,

thing to be considered, and the last to be lost sight

iise

to

which

must not be

it is

to be appropriated.

sacrificed to

anything

else.

struction of a dwelling-house, for instance,

ferent

from those of a church

pose and uses are

difi^erent.

residence should not

edifice or a

Adaptation to

of^

this

The plan and conmust be quite dif-

barn

because

its

pur-

For the same reason, a country

resemble a city dwelling, and a fariu

H0USE-I5U1LDING.

15

And

house should be unlike the cottage of the mechanic.

law of
its

fitness applies to all the details of

general form.

should be our guide in the arrangement

It

of rooms; in the disposition of doors, windows,

chimneys

and

made

in the provisions

Adaptation to climate,

lation.

the

a house as well as to

means of the proprietor

remembered, then, that

falls

for

situation,

stairs,

warming and

and the condition and

under the same head.

this principle

and

venti-

Let

it

be

of fitness, or adaptation

at the foundation of all satisfactory house-luilding.

be more fully illustrated as we proceed.

to nse, lies

It will

Expression of Purpose.

2.

But

it is

not enough that a build-

ing be planned with strict reference tc the uses to

to be devoted.

works, as well as
expressed in

its

which it is
which should run through all our
our words, demands that its purpose shall be

Truthfulness,

construction

not require a label to

iiitbi-m

that
us of

a-

church, for instance, shall

ecclesiastic character,

its

and

known as such at a glance. This

may seem, is frequently violated.

that a dwelling-house shall be

principle,

Church

strange

as

edifices are

it

made

to look like barns, dwelling-houses

are built on the model of a Grecian tem.ple, and

which may be mistaken,

see stables

we sometimes

at the first glance, for

farm

cottages.
''

The prominent

features conveying expression of purpose in

Downing

says, " are the chimneys, the windows, atid the porch, veranda, or piazza; and fortius reason,

dwelling-houses,"

whenever

it is

desired to raise the character of a cottage or a

above mediocrity, attention should be

villa

those

portions of the building."

human
jects,

Loudon

first

bestowed on

says:

"In every

habitation the ci;imney-tops should be conspicuous ob-

because they are

its

essential characteristics.

tinguish apartments destined for

signed for lodging cattle."

for yourself

and family

human

First, then,

and, second,

They

dis-

beings from those de-

onM fitting habitations

let this fitness he

clearly

expressed in their external features.

3.

Manifestation of Beauty.

adapted to

its

uses and clearly express

house
its

may

be

strictly

purpose, and yet be a

The House.

16

very unsatisfactory dwelling for a person of taste and culturci

and a perpetual blemish in the landscape.

It

may have com-

fortable rooms, well distributed in relation to each other

their uses

and

windows, doors, chimneys,

and

of the proper size

proper places; and

in their

provided

etc.,

air, water, and warmth well

and yet make a very unsatisfactory impression.

for,

The sentiment of beauty may find no expression in it. The

windows may be mere holes in the wall, closed by glazed sashes,
and the chimneys unsightly heaps of
eentiment

this devotion to

mere

This lack of

brick.

literal utility

is

all

too frequent-

ly displayed in rural house-building in this country.

It will

disappear as taste and culture advance, and the love of the

beautiful, inherent in every

developed.

man and woman,

called out

is

Let the reader bear in mind, then, the

every house, however humble, should and

may

fact,

and
that

be character-

ized by these three qualities

1.

Adaptation to Use;

2.

Expression of Purpose; and,

3.

Manifestation of Beauty.
II.- CHOICE

OF A

SITE.

In selecting a site for a country house,

should be taken into consideration.
point of importance,
1.

Healthfulness.

many circumstances
among these, in

First

is

ISTo

combination of advantages can com-

Such a

pensate Ihe lack of a salubrious atmosphere.

unless

its

causes

come

should be considered

and marshes
tions

fatal.

The

vicinity of stagnant

the borders of sluggish streams

where the

soil is

defect,

clearly within the purchaser's control,

and

swamps
all situa-

too retentive of moisture and can not be

and thoroughly drained, should be carefully avoided.

house in such a situation is no less uncomfortable than uu

easily

healthful, being continually

damp and

chilly.

Elevated grounds in the immediate vicinity of extensive

Bwamps and marshes,

especially if in

ing winds, arc liable to bo quite as

t!ie

much

direction of prevail-

affected

by the mala-

HOUSE-BUILDIXG.
rious air as the

17

low grounds themselves, and should be shunned

for the saine reason.

importance to good

IJ'ext in

never adopt a

air is

pure water

and one should

a dwelling-house without having satisfied

site for

himself that an abundant supply of this essential element can

be readily procured.

The importance of this

point, in its bear-

upon health and comfort, are sadly underrated by the great

ings

majority of our people.

many

serious

It

should be universally

known

that

and dangerous diseases may be traced to the use

In regions where the water is universally

"hard" or limy, rain water properly filtered should be used
for drinking and cooking, as well as for washing.
of impure water.

Convenience of Access.

2.

In

many

cases nearness to one's

place of business, or to the railway station or steamboat land-

has naturally considerable influence in determining the

ing,

choice of a
too

much

This circumstance should not, however, have

lot.

weight.

An

the tri-daily walk of a

additional quarter of a mile added to

man

of sedentary employments

an advantage rather than otherwise

site

may

bo

and often a much better

can be obtained for the same amount of money by fore-

going the slight advantages of a more central locality.

Where mere

business motives

may

be left out of the account,

the tastes and habits of the family will have a controlling influence.

One

will

seek the frequentd street or highway,

while another will choose a quiet lane or an out-of-the-way

nook.

not necessary, as

It is

or the residence of a

highway.
dust,

many seem to suppose, that a farm-house

man of leisure should be close to the

sufficient distance

and secure privacy and

from

it

to avoid the noise

and

quiet, is far preferable; but at

the same time, unless one desires to cut himself off from

all in^

tercourse with the world, his house should be easy of access.

3.

Suitableness of Ground.

cellars

and

The

cost of building, digging

wells, etc., is greatly influenced

by the nature

oi ihe

ground, which must, therefore, always enter into the account.

It

sometimes costs more to prepare the grounds

for building

The House.

18

than to build the house.

This

is

well enough

when

advant-

ages are secured which really warrant the outlay; but the cir-

cumstance should have

its

due weight

in

determining one'a

choice.

The adaptation of the surrounding soil to the purpose of culand the growth of trees may be considered under the
same head. A good garden plot in the vicinity of the house is
ture

we

very desirable, but

find little soil in this country that

not easily be brought to the desired state of

originally

what

is

fertility,

called poor.

A somewhat elevated has many

agesbeauty of
and dryness of
drainage,
but generally comparatively
4. Altitude.

site

prospect, salubrity

for

may

although

etc.

advant-

air, facilities

is

difficult

of

and unless sheltered on the north and west by higher

grounds or by belts of trees, bleak and uncomfortable in winaccess,

Some

however, are equally bleak, the wind sweepthem with a power unknown even on the hill-top.
Loudon says, that of all varieties of hilly surface, the most desirable site is where a prominent knoll stands forward from a
ter.

valleys,

ing through

lengthened ridge, and where the latter has a valley with a river
and higher hills rising one above another behind. One

in front

of the worst sites

rounded by other

is

the steep uniform side of a

hills

hill,

closely sur-

equally high and steep.

The style of building you propose to erect (if first decided

upon) must be considered with reference to this point.

low cottage very properly

some quiet nook at

the base of a hill or ridge, while the more pretending ornamental villa may with equal propriety crown its summit.
5. Aspect.
The choice of an aspect should be determined
plain,

nestles in

mainly by local and climatic considerations

a free play for the

cooling breeze being essential in one place, and a shelter from

wintry winds exceedingly desirable

we

should,

if possible,

in another.

In

all

climates

secure a barrier either of higher grounds

or thick belts of trees (evergreens are best) on the side of the

house looking

in the direction

frequently come.

The north

from which violent storms most

side of a high hill or ridge,

where

HoUSE-BuiLDINU.
tLe direct rays of
of the time,

sun would be excluded for a large portion

tlie

entirely unfit for a building site, sunlight being

is

everywhere

19

essential to health

and comfort.

In a northern

climate, a southern or southeastern exposure with sheltering

hills

on the north

is

generally pi-eferred.

In reference to the main points from which

the avenues by which

it

approached, a

is

it is

hi.^nse

seen,

and

should be so

placed, if practicable, as to present an agreeable appearance,

being neither too closely screened nor too

Trees, etc.

6.

A grove or

much

exposed.

well-grown forest

belt of

trees, to

serve as a shelter and a basis for future operations in planting,

adds greatly to the value of a

consider this point, that

our

own

case.

we

But such

site

should

indeed, so important do

make

situations

we

an essential one in

it

are not always readily

trees,

and some would, doubtless, prefer to plant their own

even when they can not hope to live long enough to see

them

in their fully developed beauty.

found,

There are many other objects which

elude in one's grounds,

other and

when

more important

is

it

desirable to in

practicable, without sacrificing

considerations, such as a clear run-

ning stream, a sheet of water in repose, a picturesque ledge of

rock, a shaded, naiad-haunted ravine, etc.

reach of

all.

but these are not

and do not come within the

Let each secure whatever of beauty and comfort

generally included in a village

he can in his house and

its

lot,

surroundings, and " learn therewith

to be content."

III.-ADOPTION OF A PLAN.

No man

should

commence

the erection of even the smallest

cottage without having previously adopted a well digested and

fuUy matured plan.

al idea

It is not

enough that he may have a gener-

of the form and size of the building he purposes to erect.

All the details of

its

the

internal arrangement

uation of the various rooms, halls, closets, pantry,

size

and

etc.,

and the

exact place of stairs, chimneys, doors, and windows, should

determined before the

first

stake

is

driven to

mark

its

sit-

all

bo

outlines

The Housk.

20
apon the ground

If this course

be not adopted, serious and

expensive mistakes are almost sure to be made, and

money

you do not know what you

want, you are not prepared to build, and should wait till your
"While your
necessities and tastes have assumed definite forms.
wasted

house

in needless altenttions.

yet only a paper cottage or villa

is

changed

to

may

it

easily be

meet your changing whims; but when your thought

has once shaped

itself in

brick and mortar,

matter of enduring record.

as

If

See to

it

that

it

has become a

it

be such a record

you are willing should be read by posterity.

Adopt no plan hastily, whether conceived by yourself or

fered by another.

every

light,

many

looked at from every point of view.

first place,

you have chosen.

your house must be adapted to the

A plan

may be

unsuited to a particular spot.

erence to the ground

first,

There are

things to be taken into consideration.

In the

1.

of-

should be carefully studied, examined in

It

the

site

it is

It

admirable in

must be looked

to occupy

must be selected

in

or

if

itself,

at,

site

and yet

then, in ref-

the plan be adopted

accordance with

it.

Not

merely the style and general character of a house are influenced

by the contour and aspect of the features of the landscape

around, but
masses,
2.

is

its

outlines

upon the ground,

its

arrangement

in

equally subject to the great law of fitness.*

If one's pecuniary resources are limited, the

money which he can

amount of

appropriate to building will greatly in-

fluence the character of his plan.

Reception-rooms, drawing-

rooms, libraries, boudoirs, and so on, are certainly desirable;

but
in

if

you have but seven or eight hundred dollars to expend

it would be folly to put them all into your plan.

building,

You must be
if

them serve two or three

distinct uses.

what accommodations are absolutely essential

your comfort, and then what appliances of convenience or

Consider
to

content with a small number of rooms, making,

necessary, several of
first

luxury you can add.

Do

not plan too largely.

Gervase Wheeler.

Depend upon

HOUSE-BUILDINO.
it,

you

enjoy a

will

house wholly paid

much

for,

larger

sum

21

of happiness in a small

than in a large one which has involved

you in debt.

Having decided what sort of a house is best adapted to

site, and what amount of aocommodations the sum you
purpose to appropriate will secure, consider next how you can
8.

your

make that amount of accommodation

best subserve the particular

No two

wants and tastes of yourself and family.

households

and a house which

your neighbor Brown finds "just the thing," would require
considerable modification probably to adapt it to your purpose
are exactly alike in their domestic habits,

so in

making a

plan, or in studying those

which we

offer in this

work, with a view to the adoption of one of them, keep the

requirements of your pai'ticular household constantly in view,

and adopt, modify, or reject accordingly, remembering that the

grand requirement of every dwelling-house is fitness or

first

adaptation to

The

its uses.

fact that individual

wants and

ried, renders it impossible for

tastes are infinitely va-

us to give either directions or

but we wUl her

some general principles which should govern
the development or choice of a plan.

plans that wDl exactly suit individual cases

briefly advert to
in

1.

General Form.

extent of the

The

waU may be

largest space in proportion to the

included in the circular form, but,

although round houses have been

ther on, this shape

is

proaches the circle in shape and in

This form

is,

we

shall show furThe octagon apeconomy of outside wall.

built, as

not a desirable one.

in our view, open to serious objections, but to

give our readers an opportunity to judge for themselves in ref-

erence to

its

ad^-antages and disadvantages,

we

give plans of

octagon houses in another chapter.

O. S. Fowler, in his " Home for All," has advocated this form

with an earnestness which could only come from tliorough

conviction of

its

superiority over

all

others.

To that work we

TuE House.

22
mast

refer those

who may

what can be

desire to see

said in its

favor.

is

Of the common forms adopted in house-building, the square

the most economical in point of outside wall, and allows the

most compact arrangement of rooms.

otljers.

Many

square house can not easily be

prefer

made

to

it

all

picturesque,

but need not be, as such houses too often

are, a mere characterThe advantages of the winged form, in its various

modifications, are a more perfect adaptation to the high-pitched
less box.

roof, greater picturesqueness,

and more varied aspects.

One

part can also often be so projected as to shelter another and

more important one from prevailing winds and storms.

2. Aspect.
With regard to the aspect of a dwelling-house,
and the disposition of its various rooms in reference to the

points of compass, the principal objects to be kept in view are*.

1. Shelter from prevailing winds and storms
2. Enjoyment of
;

particular views afforded

by the

protection from the sun.

situation

3.

Exposure to or

In cold and temperate climates a

southern or southwestern exposure

principal rooms.

is

most desirable

for the

In the Northern and Middle States generally,

a northeastern aspect

if possible,

is,

a northern exposure

is

most

to be avoided, our

disagreeable storms coming from that quarter.

In hot climates,

sometimes chosen on account of

its

coolness.
3.

Arrangement of Booms.

sides those

But

other considerations be-

mentioned in the preceding section should of course

have an influence

in deciding the disposition of the various

apartments of a dwelling.

whole must not be

apartment.

The convenience of the house

sacrificed to

The end

promote the comfort of a

to be secured

is

the most perfect adapt-

ation possible of the entire structure to th^ purpose for

it is

erected.

This purpose, in

varied, of course the

accordingly,

no two

commodations.

its details,

mode

of construction,

common

with

etc., will

vary

families requiring precisely the

"We can only

oft'er

which

being almost infinitely

arrangement of rooms, in

the architectural features,

as a

single

same

ac-

a f3w hints for general appli-

House-Building.
Our

ration.

23

ideas on this point, together with those of otlier

be found elaborated

persons, will

in

the plans presented in

other chapters.

Having

made

utility

constantly in view, labor-saving must be

a prominent idea in our arrangement of rooms.

This

is

necessary in the habitations of the rich as well as of the poor.

The
ler

good servants, and the cares and vexemployment of bad or inditferent ones, ren

difficulty of getting

ations attending the

it

desirable for even the wealthy to employ as few of

To promote the saving

is possible.

performing the domestic labors of a household,

in

them

of labor, and convenience

we

should

study compactness, avoiding, so far as other important considerations will permit,

The

extended wings and long passages.

rooms, too, most closely related in their uses should be brought

near each other

the dining-room, for instance, being so placed

as to aft'ord easy ingress

the same time

it is

and earess from the kitchen, while

To

rectly into the other.

the

same end, a pantry, sink-room,

should be provided for in connection with the

closets, etc.,

dining-room and kitchen.

When

will prefer to place the kitchen

dining-room on the principal

there

and

floor.

is

A dumb

This

is

in

some

and the

tliat,

more elegant but

them on the same
a

waiter, however, will obviate, in part at least,

the objections to this plan.

The entrance

be central in position, and

if

room on the

a basement,

its offices

a less convenient arrangement than having

floor.

at

desirable that the one should not open di-

first floor.

economize space,

it is

hall should generally

possible furnish access to every

In some plans, however, in order to

advisable to deviate from this rule.

should open toward the south,

east,

or west,

if

possible,

It

and not

toward the north.

When
the

it is

first floor

lation,

practicable, there should be at least one

room on

provided with the means of warmth and venti-

which can be used

as a sleeping-room in case of sick-

ness or other need.

The
v).sion

duties of hospitality should not be neglected, and pro-

musu be made,

in eveiy plan

which

will

admit

it.

for

The House.

24

spare chambers, a parlor, etc.

least

we

we do

not,

however, or at

should not, build our houses for our guests, but for

ourselves and families, and

we

protest against the sacrifice of

family convenience and home-comfort, often made, for the pur-

pose of entertaining occasional visitors more elegantly.

it

"Would

not be well for our very utilitarian people to consider

whether
parlor

it

really

"pays"

to provide an elegant

perhaps the only handsome room

used, as

is

the case in

many

dozen times in a year?

and comfortable

ftirnish

mit,

and then

to be

Take our

advice,

and

if

you have a
in your

room

be called parlor, saloon, or drawing-room,

it

and adorn

country dwellings, scarcely a

peculiarly handsome, agreeable, and comfortable

bouse, whether

house

in the

it

tise it

manner your means will perby throwing

in the best

avail yourself of its benefits

open for daily family occupancy and when guests arrive,

welcome them also to all its advantages. They will feel much
more at home there than in a room which has been opened on
their arrival for the first time in a month or two.
Sleeping apartments should be of good size, well-lighted, and
weU-ventilated, and each should liave separate means of access
it

to a hall, corridor, or passage.

ally

Their distribution will gener-

be suggested by that of the rooms below.

Every house should have a bath-room. In assigning it its

be had to ease of access, facility of conveying water, and security against damage from any accidental

place, reference should

leakage.

water-clos"t, either in connection with

ing-room or in some other convenient situation,

able,

and should be provided

at the
4.

command
if

tlie batli-

very desir-

wherever the pecuniary means

of the builder will permit.

Miscellaneous Hints.

ing-room, and

for

is

pantry convenient to the din-

practicable opening from

A sink-room

it,

should be provided

must be thought
Every sleeping room should also
have a closet if practicable but we would not sacrifice the proportion and beauty of a room by cutting' ofl:' closets where they

for in every house.

of in the

and

closets

same connection.

can not conveniently be made without violence to the design.

HOUSK-BUILDING.
The

situation of the

25

chimneys should be made the subject of

They give most warmth when placed

some styles of building are more

careful consideration.

in the inner walls, but in

picturesque on the exterior.

Stairs should generally be central in position, broad,

too high.

A back

and not

door should be provided, both for conveni-

ence and for the purpose of ventilation, of which more anon.

Windows on opposite sides of a room are generally to b<

avoided, on account of their unpleasant " cross lights."
OF ARCHITECTUEE.

IV.- STYLE

architecture of a people should be the natural

The domestic
outgrowth of

its

character, institutions, customs, and habits,

modified by the climate and scenery in the midst of which

buUt up.

In this

way

originated the English

Swiss chalet, and the Italian

institutions differing

many

villa.

people or country.

in

every

style

We
Thus

should have a

far

and climate, we can

style,

or perhaps sev-

and no doubt

we have been

we

have

shall

content to build

ancient and modern, and, most of

style,

the

country

the architecture of any other

full

eral styles, peculiar to ourselves

in due time.

this

from those of any other, together with

peculiarities of character, habits,

not consistently adopt in

them

Having in

it is

cottage,

all,

in

no

covering the whole face of the country with incon-

gruous and unsightly structures.

There are various causes

this state of things, the principal of

devotion of our people to the rough work of subduing a

country

for

which are the necessary

new

the consequent lack of thought and culture in the

right direction

and the want of true home-feeling, growing

These causes are becoming yea.

out of our migratory habits.

by year less operative, and our domestic architecture is improvexceptions to the general ugliness of our
ing in the same ratio
buildings growing more and more numerous as leisure, culture,
and love of home and home-life increase among us. This improvement will go on the modifications which our climates and
modes of life suggest in existing styles will assume definite, and

TnK House.

26
artistic,

and i-ermanent shape, and the new American

styles will receive their birth.

In the

borrow and modify as best we may.

The various modes of building now
susceptible of classification,
styles of

may

mean

time,

in use, so far as

style or

we must
they are

be referred to two original

which they are modifications

the

Grecian, in which

horizontal lines prevail, and the Gotliic, in which vertical lines

prevaih

To the former

class belongs the Italian, the Swiss, the

Flemish, and other continental European modes, in their various

modifications

and to the

periods, as well as the

In adopting any

latter the old English styles of various

modern

mode

rural Gothic

mode.

for imitation, our preference should be

we

guided not only by the intrinsic beauty which

particular style, but
will generally

by

see in a

appropriateness to our uses.

its

be indicated by the climate, the

wants of the family which

is

site,

to inhabit the house.

This

and the
In high

northern latitudes, where colonnades and verandas would be

unsuitable, the Grecian or Italian styles should not be chosen

and

in a tropical one, the

warm,

solid,

comfortable features of

the old English architecture would be neither necessary nor appropriate.*

1.

Taking the climate alone into consideration, a Southern

should ditfer in

many

broad

rooms, cool ombras, and spacious verandas or

halls, airy

respects from a Northern house.

The

arcades and balconies, required by the former, seem to indicate

a modification of the Italian style; while the compact arrange-

ment of apartments, the provisions for fireside comfort, and the

protection against heavy snows which must be insisted upon
in the latter, point to the various forms of the Gothic rural

In the middle region of our country, either style

tyle.

appropriately be adopted, as other conditions

2.

may

may

require.

The next consideration is fitness to the site we have

or harmony with the scenery around.
"Rural archi-

iliosen,

tecture,'' it

has been truly

*

said,

"

is

Downing.

the creation of a picture

HoUSE-EuiLDIXtx.
of which the landscape

is

27

We

the background.'"

must design

the principal object in the picture to correspond with

"

cessories.

kindred

art,

The ultimate

test of rural

landscape gardening,

a literal view of a building and

is

its

its ac-

architecture and

landscape painting.

its

Does

environs from a well-chosen

from several points of view, make a good picture?

Does it seem of a piece,
as artists say, compose well ?

point, or

Does
as

if

it,

the building might have

but not otherwise, the design

The

principle here laid

chalet in alow,

flat

grown out of the ground

is

down

Then,

good.''*
is

by erecting a Swiss

\iolated

country; a small, plain, unpretending cottage

on an elevated and commanding situation

or an Italian villa

with a lookout tower in a secluded valley.

It

should also be

understood that rustic features look well only in the midst of

rural simplicity,

and that architectural elegance should be

re-

Again, where the features of the

served for cultivated scenes.

landscape are wild and grand, irregularity and picturesqueness

in the

forms of buildings

cottage which

street

may

would seem

appropriately be introduced.

fitting

would be incongruous with

and beautiful on a

its

situation

village

and appear

evi-

dently misplaced on a rough hillside, in the midst of the wildness of nature.

3.

The plan of a house,

made with

reference to

elevation are influenced in

plans,

as

we have

its site.

The

already said, should be

style

and character of the

some measure by the

plan.

Some

however, are adapted to various styles of elevation,

while others are well suited to only one.

The

size

determined

upon will also modify the character of a house, and must always be taken into the account.
4. The materials to be used in construction will also necessarily influence

given design

one

in the choice of a style

may perhaps be

for

although a

executed in either wood, brick, or

stone, it will not be equally adapted to each.

and profusion of ornament are attained

Gervase Wheeler.

in stone

Variety of form

and brick only

Thk House.

28
at great

Rural cottages of these materials sliould

expense.

therefore generally he simple in form, and depend for their

upon proportion, symmeriy, and what

sftect

artists call hreadtli.,

rather than upon variety and picturesqneness of outline and

In wood, greater variety of form and more elabo-

high finish.

rate embellishment

so great

is

be secured at a given expense

indeed,

they are too often applied unmeaningly, use-

this material, that

lessly,

may

the facility of producing architectural ornaments in

and to a most absurd extent.

One hint more on this head for the especial benefit of

who have spent most of their lives in cities. Do no*
carry your cockney ism into the country. Leave your town
5.

those

house where

it

It

is.

is,

no doubt, a very good

ti.Mvii

house;

but nothing can be more absurd than to attempt to reproduce

it

in the midst of orchards

and

Downing speaks

cornfields.

a suburban villa which he saw on

Long

of

Island in the shape of

"a narrow, unmistakable

'six story brick,' which seemed in

want of harmony with all about it, as
if it had strayed out of town in a fit of insanity and had lost
the power of getting back again."
"A word to the wise," etc.
its

forlornness and utter

v.- MATERIALS.

Wood.

1.

No

other material

in rural architecture,

mainly from
reason for

its

its

is

extensively employed

so

in this country,

wood.

as

abundance and cheapness

use

may

be found in

kind of buildings mostly wanted, and

its

its

This arises

but an additional

suitableness for

the unstable and migratory character of our people.

rary shelters, rather than

demand.

brick, to be pulled

Wood

is

Bolid

down

or sold in the course of a few jears.

just the thing required.

many

the

And when

mansion

cases, ultimately

ground),

to be able to build villas

not cared to erect cottages of stone or

for building the villa or the

air, in

Tempo-

pei-manent homes, have been in

Young men expecting soon

or mansions, have

the

truthful expression of

projector

the time arrives

(for these castles in the

assume a tangible shape on tho

is

perhaps no longer

young

Ilorsi:-

Wood

will

still

rate,

Why

serve his purpose.

more enduring material ?

few years; and his sons,
any

Building.

they will

29
should he seek a

need the building but a

perliaps, have all "gone West"
at
lie will

the paternal mansion so soon as

sell

shall

it

come into their possession and build for themselves. It lias

It is hauntfor them none of the sacred associations of home.
ed by no memories of their childhood. It is only their father'3
grand new house

So

has been in the past, and

it

so, to

continue to be for a long time to come

ency, as

we have

a large extent, will

;

but there

is

it

a tend-

before hinted, toward a better state of things.

In the older parts of the country, at least, families are acquiring local permanency, and a love of home and
to home-life and home-scenes

is

all

that pertains

begiiming to be fostered.

These circumstances and sentiments will gradually find expression in a

more

solid

and enduring

style of domestic archi-

tecture.

But while Avood

is

abundant and comparatively cheap,

will necessarily continue to

build cheaply or not at

who

people,

it

be enijiloyed by those wlio must

all.

Kent-paying

is

distaFteful to our

choose rather to live in houses of low cost owned

by themselves, than to go and come at the beck of a landlord.

They are right and while we would gladly see them give place
to better and more permanent ones, we are proud of the flimsy,
unsubstantial structures, so sneered at by foreigners, which
;

dot the whole face of the country.

who

people,

For

all

will

They

by-and-by build and

wooden

cottages,

own

are the

homes of tho

better ones.

Downing recommends

vertical

boarding with inch or inch and a quarter pine, tongued and

grooved

at the edges, nailed on,

We

tens.

ferred.

and covered with neat

think, however, that filled-in walls are to be

Tliese are

made by

filling-in

l)at-

j)re

a course of any cheap

bricks f-om bottom to top of the whole frame.

This will

make

a wall four inches thick between the weather-boarding and the

lath

and plastering of the rooms.

with a small proportion of lime,

is

The cheapest mortar, made

some
filling-in

used for this

The House.

30

them

place the bricks on edge and bnild

of the timbers or studs

(or, rather,

flush

with the inside

projecting a quarter of an

This leaves a hollow space between the weather-

inch forward).

boarding and the brick wall, and renders lathing unnecessary,

the plaster being applied directly on the inner face of the

fill-

ing-in.
2.

Where

Stone.

permanence

architecture adopted will admit

best of

all

however,
ant, the

is
it,

can not be procured; and even

it

wooden

undoubtedly th

when

small,

it

may

The inner
ofi',"

face of

it is
it

abund-

up, gener-

house much greater than

But where the

one.

houses of moderate

"furred

is

expense of quarrying, shaping, and laying

that of a
is

stone

In some parts of the country

materials for building.

ally renders the first cost of a stone

stone

required, and the style of

cost of preparing the

often be advantageously used in building

cost.
tlie

walls of stone liouses should always be

leaving a space of

the solid wall and the plaster.

two or more inches between

The stratum of air thus inter-

posed will effectually prevent dampness, and render the wall

cooler in

summer and warmer

in

winter than

it

could other-

wise be made.*
In

damp

situations

it is

also necessary to build the foundation

walls of hydraulic lime mortar, to cut off the access of moist-

ure from the ground.

"With those precautions, houses built of

stone will be as free from dampness as any other.

3.

Brick.

Brick, when made of good

clay, rightly

tempered

with sand, and well burned, makes an excellent material for

building, either in city, village,

oi*

country.

It is suitable for

designs in which stone can not, without great expense, be

wrought into the required forms.

Hollow walls are best

being:

1.

for

brick houses, their advantages

2. The prevenThe saving of all the cost of lathing and

the interior walls 4. The great security afforded

considerable saving of materials;

tion of dampness; 3.

studding for

For an excellent method of building with

unhewn

slne, sue

Appendix (AV

House-Building.
The

against fire; 5.

ofjportiinity tliej' afford for thoroiigu

When

easily controlled ventilation,*

walls should be

When

and

not built hollow, brick

furred off" in the same

"

31

way

as those of stone,

timber and stone are both scarce, as on the prairies

of the West, cottages and farm-houses are frequently built of

In our Appendix will be found an account of

unburnt brick.

their construction, condensed

'

from a Report on the subject

made by Mr. Ellsworth while Commissioner

of Patents.

He

bears the strongest testimony to their cheapness, warmth, and

durability.!
4.

Concrete.

Much

attention lias been directed of late to

walls of concrete for country houses.

combine in a high degree

dryness.

They

are

ments of stone.

These walls are said to

durability, cheapness,

composed of

A considerable

and fragnumber of houses have been

built of this material within the last

seemingly contradictory results.

warmth, and

lime, sand, gravel,

few years, with varying and

In some cafes perfect success

seems to have been attained, the walls assuming and retaining

a stone-like consistency and promising great durability, while
in others expensive failures

have been the

result,

the structure?

crumbling to powder within two years.

Our own
the subject,

opinion, formed after a thorough examination of

is,

that

where

all

the requisite materials abound,

be put up far more cheaply than those

walls of concrete

may

of stone or brick,

and that a durability nearly equal to that of

marble

may

be universally secured by a

strict

compliance with

the following conditions:

1.

The various materials entering into the composition ol

must be well selected and rightly compounded-

the concrete

the lime being of a good quality, the sand clean and sharp, and

the gravel well screened, and each of these ingredients, as well

as the rock fragments, being used in the proper proportion.
2.

The

walls must be built at the proper season of the year,

to insure their perfect

* See Appendix (Bi

hardening before being affected by

frost.

t See Appendix (Ci.

The House.

32

The building must be covered by a projecting

3.

roof, to

protect the walls against vertical rains.

We

havo yet to learn that a

failure has ever occurred

where

these conditions have been strictly adhered to.

all

We

give in the Appendix some account of the

building concrete walls, and further information

in 0. S. Fowler's "

mode

to this

Home

for All."

Our

mode

may be

of

found

principal objection

of building lies in the necessity which exists for

external plastering or stuccoing, and the consequent blank and

monotonous appearance of the walls. With many persons,
however, this objection will have little weight. It may be obviated by the common sham of marking off the surface in imi-

untruthful practice which

tation of courses of stone, an

we

can not recommend.

VI.MISCELLANEOUS DETAILS.
Cellars.

1.

Cellars

deemed

indispensable.

there

an

is

evil of

under dwelling houses are generally

They

are certainly very useful

some have advocated

its

way upward by means

and crevices

but

They are almost

their entire abolition.

universally manufactories and reservoirs of foul

ing

such magnitude connected with them, that

air,

which, find-

of doors, windows, stairways,

in the floors, diffuses its noxious elements

through

the rooms above, and becomes a fruitful source of disease.

It is

not necessary that they should be half

filled

filled

with rotting

The surface of the earth ia

with decomposable substances, and whenever air is con-

garbage to produce this

fined in

result.

any spot in contact with the ground, or any changeit becomes saturated with various exhala-

able organic matter,

tions

which are detrimental to health.*

Means must be pro

vided, therefore, for their thorough ventilation, or cellars

must

be abandoned altogether.!

cellar, to fully

serve

its

purposes, should be cool in sum-

* Professor Younians.

t See

Appendix (D).

HoUSE-BriLDiNG.

33

mer, ii:ipervious to frost in winter, and dry at

walls

The

times.

all

should rise one or two feet at least above the level of

the surrounding ground, and should be laid in good lime mortar,

or at least pointed with

should not be

less

than from

The thickness of the wall

it.

fifteen to eighteen inches

the house walls above be built of brick or stone,

two

and

if

feet

is

The cellar should have a drain from the lowest corner, which should be always kept open
and each room in it
should have at least two sliding sash windows, to secure a cirbetter.

culation of

air.

In very cold climates, those portions of the

walls above the surface of the ground should be double, either

by means of a distinct thin wall on the outside or by lathing

and plastering on the inside, and be furnished with double

windows
with a

as a further security against frost.

every

flight of steps is desirable in

An

outside door

cellar,

and

in

one

connected with a farm-house indispensable.

2.

Chimneys.

The

construction

of an effective chimney

would seem to be a very simple and easy matter; and so

provided the philosophical principles involved be
Fig.

2.

stood, as they should be

first

it is,

under-

by ev-

ery builder.

The main point

to be attend-

ed to in order to cause a chim-

ney to draw well,

is

to

con-

tract the openings both at the

throat and at

the

top,

so a*

to break the force of any dowi:

ward

currents

may be thrown
2

will

fj\ulty

and
Faulty

of

air

into

it.

whioL
Fin.

serve to illustrate tbi

construction of the throat.

fig.

3 the correct construc-

COEKECT

tion.

cosstrcctio:*.

In

very windy or exposed

situations the top of the

CoSSfBUCTIUN.

chimney should be contracted to

third less than tht> area of the flue; but in ordinary cases a

The House,

34

diminution of about two inches in the diameter will be suf

ficient.
3.

Wa7'ming.~-The original plan

for

warming houses was to

smoke

build a fire in the center of the principal room, the

being allowed to find

way out

its

either at a hole in the roof or

through any accidental crevices which might

invention of the chimney

came the

fire-place,

This opening formed, at

side of its base.

exist.

With the

an opening in the
an immense re

first,

cess with square side-walls or jambs, and, in addition to the

furnished accommodations for several persons,

vided with seats within

its

who were

fire,

pro-

The tendency of modern

area.

improvement has been to gradually contract this opening,

until it seems in a fair way to be abolished altogether; but
this last step should not be taken till something more suitable
than has yet been produced shall have been provided to take
its place.

The
stoves

methods of wanning now in use in this counBy open fire-places; 2. By open grates; 3. By
By hot-a;r furnaces 5. By steam and hot-water

principal

try are:
;

1.

4.

apparatuses.
1.

The open

healthful

of view

mode

it is

generated

is

warming a room

not economical.

the room, which

Any

is

but

in a

may

it

may

By so

construct-

supply a current of heated air to

easily be

done

in various ways, this ob-

partially obviated.

attempt to bring the fire-place again into general use,

but we can not
from expressing most emphatically our opinion, that

even in the country, would pi'obably be vain

refrain

pecuniary point

very large portion of the heat

carried up the chimney and lost.

ing the fire-place that

jection

the pleasantest and most

fire-place furnishes

of

in places

where

fuel

is

still

cheap, the substitution of stoves

has been a most unwise and short-sighted piece of false econ-

we

give up the cheerful and healthful glow of the

and submit to the stifling heat and gloomy ap
pearance of the deadly " air-tight," for the mere purpose of
saving a few dollars, at the expense of an untold amount a*

omy.

blazing

Shall
fire,

HOUSE
.lealth

We

and comfort?

earnest protest against

2.

fort,

Next

must

LD

N G

at least put

35

on record here out

it.

to the open fire-place, in point of health

comes the open chimney

more economical,

is

grate.

Similar to

the stove grate or open stove.

properly constructed with an air-chamber within

with the open

air

by a

pi})e

and

this,

This,

when

connected

it

and with several openings near

wanned air into the room,

pleasant means of warming an apartment.
3. Our opinion of stoves has already been
top to admit the

onflicts

and com-

tlie

furnishes a very

hinted

at.

If

with the generally received ideas on the subject,

it

we

With the exception of the open stove or stove

we are constrained to pronounce them
unmitigated nuisances, entireh^ unworthy of acceptance in an
enlightened age and by an enlightened people.
They have
not a single advantage, so far as we can perceive, to recommend
them not even that of economy, for where they subtract one
dollar from the fuel account, they add two to the doctor's bill.
We believe that their almost universal introduction has had
more to do than any other single cause with the acknowledged
deterioration which has taken place within the last half century
in the health and vital stamina of our people.
It is Dickens,
we believe, who calls the stove the " household demon."
Would to God we had the power to exorcise it

can not help

it.

grate already mentioned,

4.

Hot-air furnaces, steam apparatus,

Rearming small country houses

and

it is

etc.,

they should be more extensively introduced

ages, as they are generally

by

managed, are

are

used iu

little

hardly desirable that

for their advant-

fully

counterbalanced

their disadvantages.

In

buildinar, attention

should be directed to making the walla

Of

of a dwelling-house poor conductors of heat.

of doing this

we have

already spoken.

double windows should be introduced wherever

are very severe.

they

may

furnish a

tlie

Ordinary windows, no matter

be, are great abstractors of heat

medium through which

the

means

For the same reason

^or,

winters

how

tight

rather, they

the cold air without abstract*

The

36
the heat from the

warm

Hocjse.
Double windows, by cod

air withiu.

fining a stratum of air (a non-conductor of heat)

between them,

Doubling the glass

entirely prevents this loss.

in the

sam

sash answers the purpose equally well.

Ventilation.

5.

We

can not here go into an exposition of

the relations of atmospheric air to

how
it

its

animal economy, or show

tlie

We

various constituents affect the system.

and

for granted that the reader understands

the fact, that pure air

is

must take

fully appreciates

quite as essential to the health of the

body and the right performance of its functions as wholesome

food, and that therefore a copious and constant supply of it in
our dwellings
is

is

mospheric

If

it

human

how

beings,

mass of our people are content

tion of their lives, a vile

alone,

does

it

this,

we

fear,

known

that the at-

is fitted

for the res-

be generally

and that

air in its purity,

piration of

But

of the utmost importance.

assuming too much.

happen that the great

to breathe, during a large por-

compound of noxious

gases instead?

In a majority of our houses, even of the better sort, the

little

which takes place is purely incidental, no direct

provision whatever being made for it.
What is the result?
During the warmest weather of summer, open doors and
windows generally secure adequate circulation and consequent
purity of air.
In the winter, and a portion of the time in tlie
summer, the case is quite different. The windows and doors
ventilation

are carefully closed

and a

around which we gather.

fire

kindled in the stove or grate,

Now commences

filled,

into a subtile but active

death.

The

air,

chemists

the transformation

room was

of the life-giving element, with which the

and powerful agent of

tell us, is

originally

vlisease

and

mainly composed of nitro-

gen and oxygen, of which the latter

is

the active, life-giving

principle,

and the former the neutral or diluting

Now each

person takes into his lungs more than two hogslieads

per hour of this vital fluid

retains

that

is,

provided

most of the oxygen, and throws out

an equal bulk of carbonic acid gas

it

principle.

can be liad

in place of it nearly

deadly poison.

The

combustion of fuel in the stove or grate, and of the substancea

HoUSE-BriLDTXG.

37

used in lighting the room in the evening, acts upon the air

same manner

nearly the

and supplying

its

as breathing

is

in

oxygen

its

carbonic acid.

Other gaseous

carbonic oxyd,

place with

hn purities, among which

consuming

much more

deadly poison than carbonic acid even, are thrown out by our
stoves,

and particularly by those called "

What must soon become

breathe.

air tight," to

we compel

the general mass of impurity which

add

the state of the atmo-

sphere in a closed room under these circumstances?

you

startle

to think of

Well

it ?

it

to

ourselves to

may

Does
Depend upon it,

it

if

yon could see the mass of vitiated and poisoned air in thp
midst of which you are living if it should for a moment be-

come

visible in the

lurid,

form of a

sickly,

yellow mist or a cloud of

deadly red, and you were really aware of

all its

noxious

you would flee from your stove-heated and unvenrooms as from a city swept by a pestilence. What

properties
tilated

wonder we have headaches and bad digestion that the cheek

of beauty grows pale among us and the eye of youth dim and
sunken; that the vital powers are gradually undermined; and
;

that scrofula, dyspepsia, and consumption are so

But have we not

so fatal.

^W
and

if

said

enough ?

Ventilation,

you forget everything

a house, or

live

common and
is

a remedy

,^^1

else in this little

heed our advice on no other point

N'ever build

There

remember

book

if

you

this injunction

in one already huilt, without pro-

viding adequate means for the thorough ventilation of every

room in

it.

Ventilation embraces

two

distinct

processes

isfactory,

the

removal

and to be satboth must be carried on without producing injurious

of the foul air and the introdnction of pure air

or otfensive currents.

The

simplest provision for the escape of bad air

ing in the

chimney near the

valve or register.

This

introduced even into

ceiling,

mode

is

an open-

properly provided with a

of ventilation

houses already

built,

is

simple, easily

and thorough!*

The House.

38

while

least

effective., at

Fig.

are kept up, as they usually are

fires

when

during the winter,

4.

is

most required.

Arnot valve

is

better than a register

for insertion in a

since

chimney opening,

effcstually prevents the es-

it

cape of smoke into the room.

valve
iron,

that

is

This

a very simple box of cast

with an iron valve so contrived

it

will

remain open while there

the least pressure of foul air from

is

Arnot's Valve.

An

ventilation

within, but close at once against any current in the opposite

It is easily built into

direction.

the chimney, or can be inserted

afterward by merely taking out two or three bricks.

But carbonic acid gas

is

heavier than

common

air,

and

al-

though carried upward by the ascending currents and partially

drawn

off

by the opening near the

ceiling, a portion of it de-

scends and forms a stratum in the lower part of the room.

The current kept up by the combustion going on

fire-place or a grate helps to draw this off"; but it
to perfect ventilation that
for tlie special

an opening near the

purpose of carrying

it

floor

away.

an open

in
is

essential

be provided

square piece

of wire gauze inserted in the lower part of the fire-board, with

a curtain of oiled

swer
is

this

silk

behind

sufficiently strong.

conducting

flues,

Means being

Apertures connected with downward

provide^l for

rooms through accidental

;

to serve as a valve, will an-

however, are generally more serviceable.

partial supply of fresh air

doors

it,

purpose tolerably well, where the chimney current

but

it is

tlie

escape of the impure

from outside finds

fissures

its

way

air,

into our

and occasionally opened

irregular and inadequate.

More may be

intro

duced by lowering the upper sash of a window, but this creates

an unpleasant and dangerous current of cold air, and is therefore unsatisfactory.

An

improvement upon

this plan

place one of the upper panes of glass in the

from the
of

fire

tin, zinc,

window

is

to re-

farthest

by a perforated plate of zinc or a louvre made

or glass, with horizontal openings or slats like 8

HousE B r
-

A contrivance of this

^'enetian blind.

no j)rovision at

LD

y (t

3fl

nature

is

far better than

for the admission of pure air,

and should
always be resorted to when no better arrangement may be

But the

uracticable.
Fig.

all

best

way

to

introduce fresh air

through air-chambers connected with the

5.

place or grate, so that

fore being

ment

thrown

it

may

of this kind,

grate, is represented

The

6.

slightly

chamber

figs.

at the

Fig. 5

in the air-

back or side
5,

and passes

room by a side openas shown at a, fig. 6. The

/ /^

ing,

the escape of the

valve for

CniMNEi bECTiON. bad air

fig. 6.

Fis

or

into the

at a.

warmed

of the fire-place,

"m/z/z/o

by

be-

An arrange

fresh air enters

from the outside

is

warmed

connected

with an open fire-place

and

be

into the room.

ia

fire-

It is better,

is

represented by

&,

Chimney Openings.

however, that the opening for the

adraissi?n

of fresh air and the valve for the escape of impure air should

be on opposite sides of the chimney-breast.*

But a perfect system of

and o])erating in

all

ventilation, effective at

all

seasons

the apartments of the house, whether

furnished with fire-places or not, requires a series of ventilating flues (the openiLgs in

the necessary valves),

all

which must be provided with

leading into a larger flue or shaft in

which a current is constantly kept up, both winter and sura

The kitchen fire furnishes the motive power required
It may be efl:ectively applied in various ways as circumstance
may require and ingenuity suggest, aided, if necessary, by a
Having mastered the
ventilating cap at the top of the shaft.
mer.

principles on

which ver

tilation

depends, as every one purpos-

ing to ouild a house should do, the rest will be easy.

The Hodse.

*0

In providing for the ventilation of your house, give special

attention to the nursery

and the sleeping-rooms, and do not

The last, if provided with the outside door

windows we have recommended, may be tol

forget the cellar.

and

sliding sash

erably well ventilated in summer, while these can be

left

open,

without extra provision for that purpose; but in the winter

the operation of a ventilating Hue extended
tive

chimney

flue is absolutely essential to

down from an

ac-

anything like purity

of air in such an underground apartment.

6,

Exterior Color.

For

the outside painting of country

houses, quiet, neutral tints should generally be chosen.

various shades of fawn, drab, gray, and brown, are

suitable.

all

The
very

All the positive colors, such as red, yellow, blue,

green, black, and white, should always be avoided.

Nothing
worse taste than the very common practice of painting country bouses white. This color is glaring and disagreecan be

in

able to the eye,

when

presented in large masses

it

makes

house an obtrusive and too conspicuous object in the landscape

it

does not harmonize with the Lues of nature

w%re, harshly apart from

all

standing, as

the soft shades of the scene.

it

Use

Downing makes an exembowered in

trees
the shadow of the foliage taking away the harshness and
otFensiveness of the color
but even in such cases we would
any other

color rather than xchite.

ception to this rule in favor of cottages deeply

modify the white by a slight admixture of chrome yellow and

Indian red.
a

Ked, another glaring and disagreeable

common one

It is

for farm-houses in

color,

is

some parts of the country.

scarcely less offensive to the eye than white.

Perceiving the absurdity of painting country houses white,

nany have gone to the other extreme, and given their dwelland somber hue. Light, cheerful, but unobtru-

ings a too dark

sive colors,

harmonizing with the prevailing hues of the country,

are most suitable.

stones, the

Take the

natural objects for your guides,

colors of the various eartlis, tlie

trunks and branches of trees, mosses, and other

and you

quiet fawn color or drab and a

will not

go far wrong.

warm gray that

is,

a gra^'

HOUSK-BUILDING.
mixed with a very
colors to

little

recommend

41

red and some yellow

for general use.

are the

safest

The browns and dark

grays are suitable for stables and out-buildings.

A mansion or

a villa should have a somewhat sober hue

house of moderate
cottage a

still

size

lighter

a light and pleasant tone

and

livelier tint.

house exposed to

the view should have a darker hue than one that

hidden by

and a small

much

is

foliage.

To produce the

best effect, several tints or shades of color

and

it is

important that they be judiciously chosen and combined.

If

should be used in painting the exterior of a house

the color selected for the main walls be light, the facings of
the windows, the roof trimmings, verandas,
priately be a darker shade of the

same color

etc.,
;

and

may
if

appro-

the pre-

vailing color of the building be darTc, a lighter shade should be

If Venetian

applied to the trimmings.

solid parts of

them may be

casings, but a little darker,

and the movable

If green be preferred for the blinds,

green

light

be used, the

blinds

similar in shade to the

it

slats

window

darkest of

all.

should be a very dark

and bright greens having a flashy and disagree-

able etfect.

Interior

6.

Color,

Wall Paper,

etc.

Instead

of painting

and graining interior wood-work in imitation of oak, black

walnut, or other dark wood, Downing recommends to stain it,
80 as to give the effect of the darker

wood while

retaining the

appearance of the grain of the pine or other

real

wood

itself.

We

give in the Appendix his recipe for staining pine and other

soft

woods.

The remarks made

in thi

preceding section in reference to

colors will apply with slight modification to the interiors as

well as the exteriors of houses.

gray, drab,

fawn

color, etc.

should

Agreeable neutral tints-

be given to the walls, the

wash of these tints

room being only a few cents greater than that of a white-

ceilings alone being white, the cost of a

for a

wash.

When

walls are to be papered, colors and patterns

should be chosen with reference to the same principles.

I'

The House.

42

arcLitectural paper be used,

house

an

it

must be

in the

same

style as the

Grecian room in a Gothic cottage not

Italian or

being quite appropriate.

The

best etlect

produced by having the ceiling

is

lightest,

wood-work a shade darker

The hall and all passages
Btill, and the carpet darkest of all.*
and staircases should be of a cool, sober tone of color, and
the side walls a

little

darker, the

simple in decoration.
7.

Roofing.

houses there

For the general purposes of roofing for country

is

no good material perhaps so generally available

localities is far too costly for

purpose

most

Slate forms an excellent covering, but in

as shingles.

when

well put on

expand and contract,

Thick canvas

is

is

good

Tin serves a good

ordinary use.

but on account of

somewhat

its

tendency to

liable to get out of order.

for the flat roofs of

verandas and other

small surfaces.!
8.

Stucco.

Stuccoing or outside plastering has been tried to

a considerable extent in this country

ferent success.

The

but generally with

indif-

stucco, so far as our observation extends,

soon cracks and begins to peel olF under the sudden and fierce
alternations of heat

Mr. Downing

and cold to which our climate

high

authority

in

such

is

subject.

however,

matters

speaks favorably of stuccoing for rough walls, and expresses

the opinion that the cause of
fectly understood,

country.
9.

rable
rural

We

its failure

copy his directions

Rough- Cast.

is

that

it is

so imper-

and consequently so badly practiced in

Rough-cast

is

in

this

our Appendix.^

a species of cheap -and du-

cement adapted to farm-houses and the plainer kind of

Se
cottages.
It is adapted, like stucco, to rough walls.

Appendix
10.

for directions for preparing

Drainage.

Efficient

and applying

it.

drainage for the sewerage ana

waste water must be provided for in every plan for a country

Four or five inch earthen pipes are best to connect
house.
*

Downing.
Appendix (F)

t See

X (F.)

for

something more about rooflng materiate

Ibid.

HoUbE-BuiLDING.

43

the coss-pool with the house.

They must be "trapped," so

no continuous air-passage through which
noxious gases may rise. The cess-pool must not be near the
that there shall be

well.

Trccs^ Shinds,

11.

and

Vines.

We have no space to devote

to landscape gardening, which, although closely related to rural

architecture, lies

beyond the scope of our plan.

and vines by all means

say, plant trees, shrubs,

We

can only

but

call tastf.

and judgment to your aid in choosing and arranging them.

The largest masses of foliage should not be placed in front, but
should tlank and form a background for the house.

Placed too

near a house, trees of dense foliage create dampness, injure the

walls and roof, and impede the circulation of the

air.

dra-

pery of vines creeping or trailing over them, and twining around

the porches, verandas, and windows, are
tiful

among

and appropriate decorations for a cottage

tlie
;

most beau-

and they are

within the reach of everybody and should be universally employed.

VII.-COMMON EKKOES AND ABSURDITIES.

The

errors and absurdities in rural architecture committed

in this

country (and other countries are not free from them)

are too

numerous

1.

The
commonest and most glaring ones:

to admit even an enumeration here.

following are a few of the

Building a cottage of the dimensions of twenty feet by

thirty, in imitation of a

Grecian temple, with lofty columns of

pain led wood, forming a grand portico in front.

2.

Building castellated

villas

with towers and battlements of

thin pine boards.

the Gothic style "run mad,"' in wooden cotcomposed principally of gables, and looking. Downing
as if they had been " knocked into a cocked hat."

3. Illustrating

tages
iays,
4.

Giving examples of

all

the principal styles of architectu/^

The House.

44

the

same house

in the

and age

and verandas
Gothic arches!

to

windows

to another

and the porches

columns

Corinthian

a third.

Very

belonging to one styJo

roof, for instance,

the doors and

supporting

fine!

Imitating a villa in a diminutive cottage, and lovering

over Avith frippery and " gingerbread work."

5.
all

it

6. Supposing that ornament and beauty in architecture are

synonymous, and consist in something extraneous and super-

added.
7. Building houses to loolv at rather than to live
thereby making them " distressingly line."
8.

in,

and

Finishing and furnishing a splendid parlor for visitors

and to "show

off,"

comfortable kitchen
9.

living in a bare-walled,

one's

smoky, un-

life.

Imitating marble and granite in lath and plaster, and

oak and walnut in

10.

and
all

soft pine

Surrounding a house

and hemlock.
in the

extreme North with veran-

das or arcades, and building a Southern one without them.

11.

or

Mounting outside Venetian

lilinds

upon a Gothic cottage

villa.

12.

Building a Swiss chalet or cottage on a level village

street, or a

narrow, three-story brick house to stand dignifiedly

apart in a wild, secluded valley.

13.

Painting country houses white or red.

14. Building in haste

house

first

and planning

15. Building

to repent
it

at leisure;

or buildings

afterward.

temporary shelters instead of homi^a.

COTTAGKS OF OXE StOUY.

45

III.

COTTAGES OF ONE STORY.

I

knew by

Above

smoke

the

that so gracefully curled

the green elms, that a cottage

I.PEELIMENAEY
--=

f-t

COTTaGE

'l\

was

uear.

Mocn.

REMARKS.
of one story, in

sense

tb.

which we shall employ the term,

is one in which the side walls do
not rise above the second floor,

in

which forms,

as

were, the base of

it

thp roof.

When

properlj constructed, such

colcages are both

convenient

They favor econoniy of labor (no climbing

attractive.

and

of stairs

being required), and are pleasing and unobtrusive objects in the

landscape

while small houses, carried up two or three stories

in height, although they

may be

economically

built,

conducive to labor saving, and, in the country at

are far loss

least,

present

a most unsightly appearance.

The foundation walls of

somewhat above the level

low cottages should be

raised

of the surrounding ground.

They

all

should be plain and simple in style and

finish,

the foliage of

creeping and climbing plants furnishing their most appropriate ornament.

In the designs which follow,

jniud the wants of small

we have endeavored

far.iilies

to

keep in

of limited means, and have

aimed to show how the largest amount of convenience and

comfort may be secured for the smallest sum of money, and at
the

same time

to impress

because a cottage

may be

upon the reader's mind the

small and cheap,

it

fact that,

need not there-

The House.

Ki

Taste need not always necessarily add tu exand the expression of beauty need not be lacking even

lore the ugly.

pense,

La the rudest

As our

first

cabin or shanty.

design,

which most continue

II.- A LOG CABIN.

we present a log cabin a kind of dwelling
to be common for a long time to come, in

Pkbbpsctive Yii:u.

West and South. The ])lan requires no explanaSpace may be saved by building an outside chimney at

parts of the
tion

each end, instead of the central one represented

a

warm

climate the former

sightly projections thus

is

the better

in

mode

the plan.

In

but the un-

formed should be covered witl climb-

ing and creeping plants.

Nowhere can

the Virginia creeper,

the ivy, the jasmine, the trumpet flower, the clematis, the

climbing roses,

etc.,

be more appropriately disposed than around

the veranda, windows, and gables of a log cabin.

Our

artisl

nas been rather sparing of them, as also of trees in the accom-

panying design, but they should be supplied in abundance.

They are cliea[) adornments, and come within the reach of all
In their pro])er place,

tlie skill

of the best architect can substi

Cottages of One Story

Fig.

lute nothing equal-

47

8.

ly satisfactory.

The leading exfeature

ternal

in

the foregoing per-

view

spective

is

veranda

the

in

covered by

frniit,

the projecting roof.

posts

rustic

Its

should be covered

among

with vines,

which

grape

the

might appropriately

have a place.
Ground Plan.
III.-A

nishes the

accompanying

venient plan

given

rooms,

for

St. Louis, fur-

as an economical, simple,

in-

Fig.

and con-

9.

and dividing a

closing

space.

The

will

be seen,

it

are all of
size

HEXAGON PLAN.

Western correspondent, Mr. W. Holly, of

the same

and form, and

]>ve-

sent the most compact

arrangement possible.

A
the

single chimney, in

center,

furnishes

fire-places for them

Omitting

all.

its fire-place,

the bed-room might be

divided
in

the

by a

'If-xagon Plan.

partition

center,

thus giving

With plain walls and a

two

flat roof,

small

sleeping apartments.

such a house could be put up

Ihe

4-8

oil tlie

sum

tlousE.

prairies or ia the forests of the

and we do not

tion can be

see

how

West

for a very

si<l]

the same amount of accommoda-

more economicallv obtained.

IV.A PLAN FOR

THREE ROOMS,

ETC.

This excellent plan for a three-roomed cottage

borrowed,

is

with modifications,

from '"Village and

Farm

Cottages" by

&

Cleveland

Back-

us Brothers.
plains itself

It ex-

and we

venture to say that

a

arrange-

better

ment of the same

amount of space can
be

not easily

vised.

de-

plain

l;ut

substantial and plea-

sing

on

little

structure

with

this plan,

the inside walls

Plan fop Tiirke

:\.

Living

B Hall

Room

II

14.0

>

15.0

6.0. 8.0
12 0) 16.6
12
15.0
8.0
7.0

O- Bed Room
> Kitchen.
- Wood Room

>

!:

papered,

neatly

low projecting
and

plain

roof,

hoods

over the windows,

>

K Liiiiudry

6.0)

G Closets

80

would

cost, in this

vicinity,

to $G50,

all

The laundry and wood-room would

ercd by a lean-to roof, or they might be omitted.

should be required,

it

from $550

naturally be cov
If a cellai

mig'^t be under the kitchen, and enterec

from the wood-room.

Estimates.
will

The circumstances on which the cost of a hous6

depend vary so greatly with time and

made

witliout a

place, that estimates

knowledge of these circumstances are only use

Cottages of On k Story.
fal as

a basis of comparison and calculation.

49

"Where estimates

are given in this work, they are calculated for the vicinity of

New

York, and based on the following valuation

Timber

at $20 00

Rough boards
Good lumber (planed)

"

Bricks

'

in

gold:

per 1,000 feet

"
"
"
"
"
22 00 "
"
6 00 "
05 " Ih.

20 00

"

^'ails

"

Olass

"

4 00

'

box.

Carpenter's work

"
"

175

'

Mason's work

Common

labor

Whenever the
than that given

'

cost of labor
in the

and materials

foregoing table,

tlie

i 75

"

day.
"

00

"

"

is

greater or less

proper allowance

must be made.
v.A SOUTHERN COTTAGE.
This differs widely from
cates

its

all

our previous designs, and indi-

adaptation to a different climate and different social

Fi?

I'EtSPKiriivi; Vl!.\v

customs and habits.

which ^tends on
the center.

Its

all sides,

principal features are the veratida.

and the broad hall running through

This hall furnishes access to every room, and

facil-

The House.

50
itates

The

a free cirealation of air tlirough the house.

room and the

situation

large bed-room

may change

living-

where the

places,

and aspect render such a change desirable.

The bay

Fig. 12.

BED ROOM
15 X /8

i.rT.

LIVING

15

PlAS of

k.

ROOM
IB

BOCTKCBH COTTAOX.

winJow adds much to the beauty and comfort of the parlor,

but may be omitted if considerations of economy require.
The elevation is jilain but not unattractive, and, in its external features, very distinctly expresses its character as a South-

ern dwelling.

This will be found a comfortable and convenient

home

for

planter of small estate and means, or for an overseer on a large

plantation.

South.

Its cost will

vary

much

in different parts of the

Built of wood, as represented in our perspecti^ view,

from $65\3 to $700 wonld perhaps be an average estimate.

Cottages of One Stoky.

Vkkandas.*
Southern

The

liouse.

sides, at least,

building.

it is

better that

may, however,

It

an

is

if

it

roof,

as

shown

hooded apertures
the heated

air,

in

52.

fig.

veranda for the escape of

'

it.

CHEAP COTTAGE PLAN.

Fig. 13.

/-f

BED ROOM
KITCHEN

forming small rooms under

in the roof of the

whole

There should be ventilating

and 14 represent a plan

r:;T

tlie

be either wholly or

which otherwise accumulates under

VI. ANOTHER
Figs. 13

feature of the

should encircle

desired,

partially inclosed on the north side,

its

essential

should extend the entire length of two

It

and

veranda

51

jf /3
/O *
15

for a

house which would

The Housk.

52
The veranda and

projecting portion of the kitchen are to

be covered by a continuation of the main roof on that side

and the store-room and large pantry back of the kitchen and
bed-room by a lean-to
apper

landing of the
as

shown by
Doors.

The spring of the roof above the

to give head room at the

roof.

must be high enough

floor

This will allow the attic to be divided,

stairs.

14.

fig.

Entrance doors should furnish means of ventilation

without being opened, either by means of

lights

hung on

hinges, or

side-lights, or fan-

by ornamental iron gratings with

solid or glazed panels, similarly

hung, on the inside.

Every entrance from without should open into a

or lobby, to prevent

tlie

direct entrance of cold,

hall, entry,

and secure

privacy.

VII.-A

PLAN FOR REPEATED ADDITIONS.

It often happens that a

man who may

reasonably expect to

be able, in the course of a few years, to build a large and band-

some house,

is

of means.

He might

obliged to

commence with

a very limited

amount

procure the necessary funds, perhaps, by

means of "bond and mortgage," but he chooses to take what

seems to him a safer and better course. He resolves to put up
so

much of

liis

house as he can pay

be but a single room

for,

and no more, even

if it

and to complete the projected structure

by repeated additions, as

his

means accumulate.

To do

this

advantageously, the whole building must be planned at the com-

mencement. The accompanying plans were suggested and designed to meet the requirements of a case like the one supposed.

Our enterprising,
we will suppose) of
inclosing

what

is

energetic,

and independent proprietor

a village lot

first

(as

throws up the four walls,

called in the plan the dining-room, to the

height of one story, and covers them with a roof; the whole

being designed in

sti'ict

ing of which

to

it is

accordance with the style of the build-

form a part.

The apartment thus formed

constitutes for a brief period his parlor, dining-room, kitchen,

and perhaps bis bed-room, although

if

he adopts the high

pitches!

COTTAGKS OF OnE StORT.

roof he

may have two

small attic rooms above, reached by a

staircase afterward to be

adjoining bed-room,

53

removed.

may be

lean-to,

comprising

cheaply erected, and

is

tlio

soon added.

15.

First Floor Plan.

The kitchen, another lean-to, is next built, and the house becomes a comfortable and convenient one for a small fomily,
Our friend can now wait several years, if necessary, before

The House.

54:

building the main edifice, represented on the plan by the black

interposing in the

lines;

mean

time, if he chooses, another

Btory over the dining-room.

The
dious

parts

little

now

erected form quite a complete and

commomay

house of themselves, and this part of the plan

be adopted, by

itself,

in cases in

which

its

accommodations are

Fig. 16.

Second Flook

Bufficient.

Pi.ax.

In this case, there would be a door at

a.

and a

hall

which there is ample space) at J, as represented by the dotted line. There is supposed to be a cellat
under the dining-room and kitchen, the original part being
entered at first only from the outside.
The second-floor plan shows four rooms besides a bath-room,
and staircase

(for

Cottages of One Story.

and ample

closet

55

There should be a balcony

accommodations.

at B, although not so represented in the plan.

This plan

admit a Gothic elevation, but

-vrili

rather better adapted to

Plans.

Desiring to

sible Mrithin the limits

tlie

gi%-e as

allowed

The

without elevations.

perhaps,

is,

Italian style.

large a
us,

we

number

of plans as pos-

insert a

number of them

elevations given will illustrate the

various styles of domestic architecture adapted to our climate

and

with the necessary changes in general

habits, and,

outlines,

can readily be adapted to other plans.

Scale.

Our

plans, with a

few exceptions

specified in the

proper place, are drawn to the scales of sixteen and thirty-two

Most of the geometrical elevations are on the

feet to the inch.

scale of sixteen feet to the inch

it

but in the perspective views

has not been practicable to adhere to a

"Water-Closets.
into a house

and

may be

closets

"Where

scale.

running water can be introduced

facilities for

complete drainage

exist,

trouble or expense, and will operate satisfactorily

all

the arrangements connected with them

fectly effective,

water-

constructed in a country house without great

we would

can.

but unless

be made pcF-

not advise their introduction, as they

sometimes become intolerable nuisances.

As

economy the bathi'ooin and

a matter of

are generally placed in connection.

however, where

it

is

It is

practicable to

do

water-closets

decidedly preferable,
so,

to separate

them

entirely.

OcTSiDE Palntixg.
in the

house

is late

uuch

longer than

Eats

as the paint hardens better

when put on during

ur Cellars.

cellars, either

The best time to paint the outside of a

fall,

make

To

and

last^

the summer.

prevent rats from burrowing into

a good water-lime

floor,

or else build the

The Housk.

56

wall on a close-jointed flagging, laid some inches below the

bottom of the

yond

tlie

cellar,

wall.

The

and projecting three or four inches be-

burrows down next to the

rat

reaches the flagging, and can not pass through

any

case,

working back

to the edge.

VIII. AN

On

it,

wall,

never, la

Rural Annual.

EXTEMPORE HOUSE.

the prairies and in the forests of the great "West the

''squatter,''''

or claimant oi pre-emption right on the govern-

ment

throws up a

lands,

conditions on which he

extempore

afl^iir,

little
is

to

but serves

its

cabin or shanty as one of the

make

his claim good.

purpose, and by-and-by

It is
is

an

pulled

down. It nu^y be built of logs or of sawed lumber and there

IS no reason why it should not present as attractive aod home;

like

an exterior as that repi'esentcd below.

Fig.

IT.

'Whstekn CoTTAoa.

Stobt-and- a-Half Cottages,

57

IV.
STflRY-AM>-A.HALF
Homes

for housfholrt

COTTAGES.

cmroi t

buiit

Jlfay.

L-rEELIMINAEY REMARKS.

UR

attention will

cottages

of

now be

directed

a story and a half.

houses properly thns

side walls rise

designated

from two to

to

In
the

five feet

above the second floor. They n=iially

have either dormer or low, short win-

are

dows in the sides. They aftbrd handsome and commodious chambers, and
among the best and luost economical of
cheap houses, the additional expense

small,

of the half story being comparatively small.

Our
to

designs for houses of this sort will be found,

combine, so far as

possible,

is

convenience, and beauty.

we

tliink,

the qualities of economy,

They are generally compact and

simple in plan, and plain but substantial in construction, and

We

present a modest and unpretending but pleasing exterior.

have had practical utility constantly in view in designing them,

and we flatter ourself that all our plans will " work" that

they will look as well and prove as satisfactory on the ground

as

on paper.
II.- PLANS

FOR A SMALL COTTAGE.

These plans exhibit an arrangement of rooms well adapted to

the use of a mechanic or laborer of small family and limited

means.

The living-room

is

a handsome apartment of good

3*

size.

The House.

58

entered from the lobby or

the
part,

hall,

One chimney

kitchen.

and also communicating with

suffices

The

both.

for

lean-to

extended beyond the kitchen, affords space for the cellar

back entrance, a room for

staircase, a passage to the

and a large
tloor is

closet or pantry.

The

stairs

reached commence in the kitchen, the

Fig.

fuel, etc.,

by which the second

first

two

steps

Fig. 19.

18.

Second Floor Plan.

First Floor Plan.

The closet next the stairs

4.6X5 clear, besides the available space under the stairs.
The chamber plan shows three sleeping apartments, with ample
projecting beyond the wall inside.
is

closet

accommodations.

cellar

and the lean-to part would be

scale of twenty-four feet to
tion, similar to that

extending under the kitchen

sufficient.

an inch.

represented by

This plan

A plain
fig.

27,

is

on the

and simple eleva-

would be

suitable

for this plan.

III. AN

ITALIAN COTTAGE.

The plans and elevations next presented were designed

work by F. E. Graef, Architect.

for

this

This design
cellar

is

simple,

and requires

little

under a part of the house, as shown,

explanation.

will

be found

A
suf-

Story-and-a-Half Cottages.
ficient.

sliould

It

is

made easy of

access from

the kitchen,

59
and

may

be had at a

story has

a main and

an outside entrance be required,

it

Fig. 20.

Front Elkyation.
small additional expense.

TJie

first

back entrance, the former covered by a porch

a parlor

Fig. 21.

End Elevation.
living-room

a kitchen of good size

and ample

closet accom-

modations.

The kitchen part of the house, in order to save expense in

more height in the garret, is set

the foundation, -ind to gain

The House,

60
two

risers,

or about sixteen inclies, lower than the

The

F'g- 22.

attic,

floor
floor.

two

affords

with

main

or second

bedrooms,

fine

and a useful

closets,

open garret.

The peculiar
design

this

The

the kitchen

of

place

answers

the rooms.

all

flue

one

the

which

chimney,
for

feature of

is

is

fire-

brought over to

the chimney at the ceiling of the intervening closet, so as to be entirely out of sight

and without taking away any room, and

the parlor has a blind mantle with a stovepipe hole, connecting also with the chim-

ney by passing under the

Ckllak Plan.
if

jj^jg cottage

inclosed with clear,

Fig.

stairs.

can be built for $595

or

narrow clap-boards, for about $16 more.

23.
As an example to

show the form of

a document,

such

we

in

the

(I)

Mr.

give

Appendix
Graef's
tions

specifica-

for

such

cottage.

Building

for

We

often-

Show.

er build to gratify the eyes of the

public than our own,

our

dwellings

" company,"

than our

or

and

fit

uj)

accommodate

visitors,

families

and

rather
in t\n

indulgence of this false notion, sub

I
FiMT

own

to

Ft-ooe Plan.

ject ourselves to perpetual incon

Stort-and-a-Half Cottages.
venience for
tation.

tlje

61

gratification of occasional hospitality, or osten-

L. F. Allen.

Speaking

Fig. 24

Speaking

Tubes.

may

be

tubes

introduced with
tage into

all

advan-

houses, espe-

those of more than

cially

one story.

By

their

means

a sort of telegraphic com-

munication

ra

may be

kept

up between the kitchen

]

and

other parts of

the

They are particularly useful in the dining-room and family

bedroom, where they save much time and
They are merely tin tubes of one
labor.
house.

and a half inches

Second Floor Plan

apartment.

in diameter,

terminated

by mouth-pieces, one of which is in the

kitchen and the other in the connected

Tlieir cost is trifling.

IV. AN ENGLISH COTTA.GE PLAN.

The

first-floor

plan of this design

is

modified from one found

Fig. 25.

First Floor Pi.a*.

The House.

62
In Field's "

Rural Architecture," and there said to be of En-

glish origin.

It

presents a compact

arrangement of rooms,

with no waste space, and admits a symmetrical elevation

either in the pointed or in the Italian style, as

The number of angles in the

considerably more expensive

may be

desired.

outside walls, however, renders

it

to build than a square house witli

Second Floor Plan.

equal interior accommodations.

rior

beauty of such a building a

Many
full

will consider the supe-

compensation for the extra

expense.

The bath-room, on

the second floor,

is

to be lighted

by havThe

ing the upper half of the door glazed with ground glass.

opening marked

is

be an arch.

to

The kitchen

flue is to be

bedroom
bedroom over it,
closets are obtained, and the effect of a bay secured by recessing one of the windows, a method which may frequently be

carried through the wall into the

fire-place.

jamb

of the adjoining

In the dining-room, and in the

adopted with advantage.

V.-A SUBURBAN COTTAGE.

This design represents a small, but comfortable and convenient house for a family requiring but a moderate
space.

As shown,

it is

amount of

better adapted for a village or suburban

residence than for a far n-honse, but with a

plan would answer well tor the latter.

little

change

in its

Story-and-a-Half Cottages.

63

Fig. 27.

Pekspeciivb Visw.

On

the

\\vst fiunv

an ample Loll (7x13) furnishes access to a

good-sized parlor (13x17) and a convenient kitchen (15X15)

Fig. 28.

6ixlO

Bedkoom 12x

16

Kitchen 15 x 15

Wash Koom
8x10

Paeloe 13 X 17

7x13
First Floor Plan.

(whicli will also serve as a dining-room), with a large pantry

and a wash-room attached.

On

the other side of the kitchen

The House.

64

Fi

Story-and-a-II Ai. F Cottages.

From
or each separately, as

may

(So

Eixfatioh.

be desired.

used as a dining-room also, as

is

Thus,

if

the kitchen be

often the case in houses like

Fi?. g].

Side Ki.evatios.

The House.

66

r^n
t" "1

Fig- 32.

,^

BACK HALL

PIAZZA
PARLOR
14X19

F1B8T Floor Plan.

this,

the apartment designated as a dining-room

as the family

bedroom.

Second Floob

Plajt.

may bo

used

SxORY-ivxSrD-A-Il AI.F

below.

67

two main bedrooms on tlie second floor inaj

same way as tlie parior and dining-room

If desirable, the

communicate

CoTTAGES.

in tlie

Tliere

a good-sized coclv-loft of easy access, in which

is

another small bedroom might be arranged.

This design, with dormer windows, veranda, hood over the

back door, and tracery on the gables, as shown, can bo execu-

The same ground

ted for $1,125.

in a plain, bracketed style,

executed for $125

Attic Rooms.

plan,

with elevations finished

All

attic

rooms, even In the plainest house,

This costs but

and serves to render the rooms cooler

warmer

in winter than they otherwise

Arcqiteotural Finery.

"

would

summer and

in
be.

am no advocate

for

meanness of

would fain introduce into it all magnifand beauty, where they are possible but I would

private habitation.
icence, care,

be

less.

should be back-plastered between the rafters.

little,

may

without dormer windows,

not have that useless expense in unnoticed fineries or formalities;

cornicings of ceilings and graining of doors, and fringing

become

of curtains, and thousands such things, which have

foolishly

and apathetically habitual

things on whose

common

appliance hang whole trades, to which there never yet belonged

tlie

blessing of giving one ray of real pleasure, or

the remotest or most contemptible use

half the expense of

life,

things

and destroy more than half

manliness, respectability, freshness, and facility.

experience
floor
in

and

many

know what

roof,

it is

Turkey carpet and gilded

A New

slate

and

and happier than

in

ceiling, besides

England.

comfort,

speak from

know

it

to be

between a

a steel grate and

RusTcin.

i)(>l-

Method of Ventilation.

patented

its

living

syphon

applicable to the ventilation of houses, ships,

been

to live in a cottage with a deal

and a hearth of mica

respects healthier

Ished fender."

becoming of
which cause

The

etc.,

ventilator,

has lately

principle of the invention

The

68
consists in creating,

IIousb.

by means of a tube or

shaft fixed in the

roof of a building, two opposite currents, one of which carries

off the

impure

air

while the other introduces fresh

the tem-

air,

perature being regulated by simple appliances in the shape of

This ventilator never permits the accumulation of foul

valves.

air at the top of

an apartment.

the valves to the

full extent,

the same within as without

In

summer

the temperature

time,

by opening

may be

rendered

while in winter time, the

artificial

by means of fires or warming apparatus, of whatever

nature, causes the impure air to ascend with such a degree of
heat,

velocity that, by partially opening the valves,

carried

away

a house of greater pretension, in reference to

style,

it is

very rapidly.
VII

This

is

-A SYMMETRICAL

COTTAGE.

and of higher cost than either of the preceding.

Its

symniet-

Fig. 34.

Perspective View.
rical

form,

handsome porch, and

iiinple

verandas give

ic

an ex-

pression of elegance combined with convenience and comfort.

Story- AN D- A- Half Cot ia aES.

The varions apartments on the

first floor

are compactly anc

conveniently arranged, each being accessible from

without passing through another.

may
sized

also

and handsome apartment.

is

the hall

dining-room,

be used as the common family sitting-room,

directly into the dining-room,

It

Tlie

69

is

whieli

a good-

Tiie kitchen, Mithout opening

easy of access and convenient.

has liberal pantries or closets marked c

c in

the plan.

If re-

quired for a farm-house, a lean-to might be cheai)ly added

in

the rear, affording a dairy-roon), -wash-room, and other needed

accommodations.

The parlor might be improved,

at a

moderate

expense, by the addition of a bay window.

Fiir. 35.

First Flook Plan.

three bedrooms with closets;

and a small room over the porch,
whicli would be a very pleasant summer apartment in which
The
it might be used as a bedrootn.
to work or read;

On

the second floor

we have

B bath-room and water-closet;

The House.

70

bath-room and rear bedroom are entered from the

ing of the stairs, this part of the house being

lower than the front

feet

The

first land-

two and a

half

part.

style of the elevation

is

that modification of the Gothic

Fig. 36.

Second Flooe Plan

which prevailed

in

England

in the reign of

James

I.

We

are

not aware that any examples of this style have yet been erect
ed in this country.

Cedar Closet.

slionld, if practicable,

Sink.

cliambermaid,
ritjhtly

closet or press for linens or

wooleua

be supplied with cedar shelves.

sink on the second floor for the use of the

when

managed,

is

it

can be economically planned

very convenient.

and

S T O R Y - A N U - A - 11 A F C O T T A G E S
I.

VIII. A

This

is

71

SEMI-SOUTHERN COTTAGE.

a house well adapted to the Middle and Southern

Slates, although

for

be thrown

the latter a veranda should

Fig. ST.

Perspective View.

around the front and

sides.

Fig. 88.

The design of the elevation is a

borrowed one. The annexed plans were designed
adaptation to

Crumly,

it

in

by John

New

Architect,

York.

A Reception Room
B Const-rvalory
C Dining Room..

9.0x

ll.fi

9.0x11.6

..18.0x25.0

D-Parlor

E Hall

P-Pantry

18.0 x 2.5.0
8.6 wi<le
5.0x 9.0

G-Kitclien

13.6x18.0

K- Closets.

11.0 xLS.fi
4.6x 9.6
4.6 wide

H Brealcfast Room
X Store Room
L-Baclt Hall

The two small

marked A and 1),
FimsT Flooe Plan.

rooms
in

first-floor pl;:n, wliich

the

com

The Housk

T2

mnnicate so conveniently both with the

hall

and with the

joining rooms, form a peculiar feature in this plan.

lage or

ad-

In a

vil-

suburban dwelling they may be made to minister

to

use as well as to beauty,

Fig. 39.

office

may

we have

indi-

whether their
be such as

A Dressing Room
B -Boudoir.
C Dressing Room

9.0x11.0
s.tjx

9.0

9.0x11.6
11.0x!8.0

D Bed Room
E Hall
F Bed Room
G Balcony

8.6 wide
18.0 y25.0

...

-Bed Room

11.0x18.0

Closets

Cedar

Closet.

K -Bed Room
L Bath.

13 fix 15.0

M-BedRooni

11.6x1.3.6

N Back

Hiill

...

O- Lumber Room
cated or not.

and
hall,

Second Floor Plan.

4.6

wide

4.6x 9.6

Tlie broad

unobstructed

front

running quite through

the main building,

pressive of breathing space, fresh air, and

summer

is

ex-

comfort,

and forms a commodious ante-chamber to the rooms on each

The kitchen (G) communicates with the dining-room

side.

(C) through the pantry (F) as well as by

Tlie

room marked

may be

way

of the back hall.

used for a bedroom,

if

not

re-

quired for the purpose we^have indicated.

On

the second floor

we have an admirable arrangement

of

sleeping apartments, dressing-rooms, closets, and other accom-

modations.

These plans are on the scale of thirty-two

f:et to the innh.

Houses of Two Stories.

73

V.
HOUSBS

TWO STORIES.

(IP

Here the architect

Did not with cutic ua Bklll a pile erect
Of carved marble, touch, or porphjTy,

But built

I. A

house

for hospitality.

Carew.

GOTHIC COTTAGE.
Fig. 40.

I'liltSl'EOTIVE

'PHIS handsome

cottage very appropriately

chapter and connects

two

stories in height,

Its

VlKW.

two verandas,

it

commences the

with the preceding; the center being

and the wings only a story and a

its fine

bay windows,

its

balcony,

half.

its

hand-

TiJE House.

74
some

gable,

and

its

grouped cliimney

stacks, give to

tliis

liouse

an expression of simple elegance, combined with all the comfort and convenience that a cottage residence can well afford
and we are much deceived if this design do not prove a favor;

ite

among

the patrons of our

little

manual.

Fig. 41.

FiiiST

Floor Plan.

The arrangement of the rooms on the first

The parloi", altliough not

and convenient.

floor is

compact

large, is

a very

handsome apartment, and is conveniently connected with the

sitting-room, so that the two can be used en suite if necessary.

A door opening from the sitting-room

into the porch

may

easily

would render the room somewhat colder in

winter.
The large room in the rear will serve as a wash-room,
If the house should be built ou a
as well as a place for fuel.
be had

if

desired, but

iwo Stories.

llousKs OF
farm, the milk

room would occupy a

75

part of the

room

just

mentioned, the wood-shed being extended beyond.

On

the second floor

bath room, each with

The

sage.

we have
its

four fine sleeping-rooms and a

separate entrance from a hall or pas-

front bedroom, with

its fire-place

and

its

balcony,

Fig. 42.

Second Floor Plan.

is

a particularly fine apartment.

the chimney projection, closets

the

A
it

window,
cellar

If

may

as in the case of the

it

be desired to preserve

be obtained by recessing

room

at the

under the library and hall would be

left.

sufficient, unless

be built as a farm-house.
II. A

COXINTET PARSONAGE.

This design, with a few

trifling alterations,

for the use of a country clergyman, in

room on

tlie

right

hand was

equally adapted to the use of

has been executed

which case the front

set apart for the study.

;.

It is

layman.

Two-story frame houses, with accommodations such as

affords,

and with handsome and substantial

finish

this

both out-

76

TlFE HOTTSK

Front Elbvation.
bide

ami

inside,

can not generally be built for

bnt in tbis case the building

V^

less

than $3,000;

committee applied to the architect

Houses of Two Stories.

for plans

77

and specifications for a liouse containing a

dining-room, a study or sitting-room, and liberal

parlor, a

halls, stairs.

and closets on the first floor: five rooms on the second floor,
and a handsome outside appearance, the whole to cost not
over $2,200. Here was a somewhat difficult problem. Thy
accompanying plans and elevations show how successfully Mr.
Fig. 45.

FiKST Flooe Plan.

Graef

h.as

solved

it,

the actual cost being but $50 over

tlie

sum named by the committee.

There
cess,

is

a large cellar under the house, with convenient ac-

both from the inside and the outside.

shown

in the plans,

Besides the rooms

two bedrooms might be had

expense iu the well-lighted open garret.

at a small

The House.

78

All the materials used in the construction of this house are

The frame

of approved quality.
timber; the outside
the roof

is

is

is

hemlock

of strong pine and

inclosed with clear,

narrow clap-boards;

covered with cedar shingles, and painted

the floors

are of 1^ inch mill-worked pine plank; the doors are 1^ inch

thick, paneled,

and furnished with mortice locks;

all

casings.

Fig. 46.

Second Floor Plan.

inside

and outside, are handsome, bold, and executed

working drawings
French

glass

the

windows are glazed with

after

single, thick

the parlor, dining-room, study, and front hall

are hard finished and have molded cornices, and the other

rooms, landings,

etc.,

with the best brown wall.

Btuddings are back-plastered

All outside

the whole of the wood- work

Houses of Two Stories.

ordinarily painted

is

covered with two coats of zinc paint;

usual gas-pipes are put iu

with water from the

We

79

and the kitchen sink

is

tht!

sujjplied

"^^

street.

have been thus particular in reference to the materials

and construction of
actual cost

is

this house, because,

known, and

having been

will serve as a basis

built, its

on which to

cal-

culate approximately the cost of other similar houses.

III.-"

FEUITLAND" COTTAGE.

The accompanying design represents

" Fruitland," near Augusta, Georgia.

a house erected at
It is a concrete or

Fig. 47.

Pekspective View.

gravel-wall building, and the

mode

of

its

construction

may

be

found detailed in the Appendix.

" The most obvious requirements of a Southern country

house are

amj

le space,

shade,

and ventilation.

"Where land

is

The House.

80

abundant and cheap, the ground plan should be so extended aa

to get all the room needed as near the ground as possible, and
avoid the fd!liguing ascent of high flights of stairs. On any
Fig. 48.

s-

FissT Flooe Plas.

H., hall, 53x10 feet; T>. E., dining-room, 21x18; P., pantry, 18x12, adjoin.
Sng the dining-room; 8. E., store-room, 18x18, next to pantry ; O., oflace ; B.,
bath-room; I)., dairy, lSx&; F. K., fruit-room.*

proper location, where the land

ment

is high,

dry, and airy, a base-

entirely ah/ce the surface, with one story above that, for

parlor, sleeping-rooms, etc., will

wants of a modern family.

be found well adapted to the

Externally, the house should

present a reasonable degree of architectural style, corresponding with the interior, and in liarniony with the surrounding
scenery.

Thus, while a Swiss or Gothic cottage would be out

of place in a low, level, and

warm

country

a flat-roofed

Tus-

For the ripening of pears, keeping of winter fruits, etc. "When not used
intended purpose, the latter room may serve as a general lu nber-room.
or a servant's bedroom.
*

for the

Houses of Two Stories.

81

can or Italian villa would be equally inappropriate amid the

heavy snow-storms and wild tempests of the Alps. This sense
oi fitness should naturally lead

us, in

the erection of a country

house for the South, to study carefully the peculiarities of our

climate and surroundings, in addition to our

wants, and to modify existing

called the

the merely

"

The

'

modes

into

own

individual

what some one has

comfortable and convenient,' as distinguished from

'

site

ornamental' styles of architecture.

of the house represented on page 79

is

upon a

pic-

Fig. 49.

Second Floor Plan.

n., hall, 53x10 feet; L., library, 21 x 18; B. E., B. R , B. R.. three bedrooms,
respectively 18x 15, 18x 14, and 18 xll ; P., parlor, 21x 18 ; P. B. R., parlor bed.
room, 18x 15 ; c , c, c, closets.

turescjue elevation in the orchard at

'

Fruitland.'

It is

on the

dividing ridge between Rae's Creek and the Savannah River,

and from th peculiar formation of the

4*

luoality ((itmiiaiids a

The House.

82

very beautiful prospect of the city of Augusta, the opposite

hills

of South Carolina, and the surrounding country.

"By
will

reference to the elevation and accompanying plans,

be seen that the house

stories, fifty

by

is

fifty-five feet, entirely

surrounded and shielded

from sun and storm by an ample veranda, ten

veranda

is

it

two

a nearly square structure of

This

feet wide.

supported by twenty columns of solid pine, one foot

in diameter,

turned tapering, and bored entirely through length-

wise, to prevent outside shrinkage.

square brick

built

pillars,

These columns rest on

up on concrete foundations.

The

lower story, or basement, contains the dining-room, pantry,

store-room,

office,

short, all the

tical

in

closets,

etc.

Two

by ten

large halls, fifty-three

run directly through the building, securing perfect venti-

lation.

The second

story has transom-lights over each door

and opposite the outer windows, to admit the

circulation of pure air.

The basemeut

inches above the surface, filled in with

and

rooms^ or apartments for every-day prac-

use; while the second story contains the library, parlor,

bedrooms,
feet,

bathing-room, fruit-room, and ice-house

worMng

laid in cement,

fire,

dations of rats and other vermin.

basement

to the second floor,

cupola, are
halls,

pounded rock and

which adheres firmly

fording perfect security against

removed

to

freest possible

floor is raised several

gravel,

to the walls, thus af-

dampness, and the depre-

The

stairs leading

from the

and thence to the observatory or

one side of their usual position in the

The

leaving the latter entirely free and unobstructed.

lower division walls, separating the hall from the dining-room,

office, etc., are built of concrete, one foot thick, but all the
partitions,

Two

above and below, are lathed and plastered.

chimneys afford

The windows

are large, and so

sash can be let

ting purposes.

with flues for stove-pipes,

six fire-places,

hung on

spi-ings that the

etc.

upper

down and ke])t in a, fixed position, for ventilaThe roof is hipped,' or four-sided, and covered
'

with the best cypress shingles."

Houses of Two Stories.

IV.-S. H.

MANN'S OCTAGON PLAN.

This plan was designed by Mr.

and

first

83

S.

H. Mann, of Beloit, Wis.,

appeared in the Country Gentleman, together with

basement and chamber plans.

We

give this alone, as furnisli-

Fig. 50.

Hal

C HALL
7^ X JG^

T FAMILY
\

PAfiLOa

dCTAGoN Plan.
ing hints, at least, toward the best possible arrangement of

rooms within octagon

tunity to

compare

this

walls,

and giving the reader an oppor-

Our

form with the rectangular.

indi-

vidual opinion on the subject has already been expressed^

V.-A SOUTHERN HOUSE.

This design was

made

to

particular family, but will,

features, to
It is
scale,

meet the wants and

we

trust,

be found,

be equally well adapted to the use of

tastes of a
in

its

many

main

otiiers.

planned on a liberal and at the same time an economical

the balls, stairs, veranda, arcade, balcony, etc., being

Houses of Two Stories.

85

Fig. 62.

rrF=^ii

First Floor Plan.

spacious, to

meet the requirements of a warm climate, while

the rooms are of a moderate but comfortable size, and no

waste of space

is

allowed.

The plan may be

Fig. 53.

Sbcond Floor

I'ian.

easily modified

iHE

86

Ho r SE

by omitting the wing, carrying the veranda to the

inclosing, if desired, the space
liie disposition ot

made with
shows

now

rear,

and

occupied by the arcade.

the various apartments on both floors was

strict reference to

comfort and convenience, and

for itseh" in tlie plans.

The elevation

is in

the Italian

with only such modi-

style,

fications as the necessities of climate

and materials seem to

render necessary, and presents a handsome and characteristic

appearance.

VI. A

SQUARE COTTAGE.

The accompanying plans and

elevation represent a niediura-

sizcd two-story house, so divided as to

combine convenience

The main part of the house is exactly

more inclosed space for the amount of wall than

with economy of space.

square, giving

any other rectangular form.

A hall

cxti.iids

through the

liouse.

Houses of Two

Stokie

87

from which doors open from each room, thus securing a free
circulation of air.

The bow windows

in the parlor

room, as well as the verandas in front and

desirable,

may

be dispensed with

if it

rear,

and dining-

although very

be required to build for

the smallest possible sum.

Fig. 55.

^f^

KMnsmm

First Floor Plan.

On

the

first floor

we have

a parlor (12X17), a living-room

(12X14), library (12X11), a dining-room (12X10), and, in the

wing, a kitchen (12
ronii!

X 14).

If

wanted

can bo added to the kitchen.

for a farm-house, a dairy-

The House.

88

On

the second floor

we have

four large bedrooms, a large

We

bath-room, and a dressing-room.

hall-closet, a

the bedroom over the parlor a

little

have made

irregular in shape,

allows two good closets to each room.

which

If this irregularity be

Fig. 56.

L.jn^
Second Floob Plan.

objected

a closet for each

to,

way shown

bath-room are

to the

First story

in the

Next

side of the hall.

stairs leading to the attic or roof.

to be 11 feet high

is

There

clear.

room may be obtained

rooms on the other

for the

second story 10 feet high,

a cellar 6^ feet high under part of the house,

is

with entrance to

under main

it

stairs

and outside entrance.

Cellar walls and foundation are 12 inch brick walls, or 20 inch

stone walls.

It

Cornices, caps,

be covered with

tin

narrow, clear clap-boards.

inclosed with

is

to

etc.,

have a bold projection.

Main roof

All rooms, landings, and closets are to be hard finished.

to be of mill-

worked pine plank.

closet doors,

1^ inch

Floors

All outside walls and second-

story ceilings to be back-plastered.

thick

to

kitchen roof to be covered with shingles.

all

Eoom

paneled.

have back-bAiid and back-moldings, except

doors are

I.}

inch

Inside casings to
to closets.

Houses of Two Stories.

The estimated

cost,

89

inclnding marble mantles to

all

fire-

plumbing work and gas-pipes, will not

may be built, however, with lower ceilings

places, but exclusive of

exceed $2,800.

and plainer

in

It

and outside

finish,

without destroying in the

least the general appearance, for $2,300.

VII.-A STONE

COUNTET HOUSE.

This design shows a house of rather more pretension than

the

last.

glance.

The size and location of the rooms can be seen at a

The halls give access to every room without passing
Fig. 57.

First Floob Plan.

throngh another.
front door

They are

lighted

by a window over th

and by having the bedroom door half sash.

The second

story has the

same general plan

as the

first,

giving five large bedrooms, a bath-room, and a fine small roott

in front hall.

The

stairs to

the attic adjoin the back passage.

The House.

90
As persons may be
some changes

in

differently situated, so they

might desire

the general plan, which can be easily

without interfering with the

rest.

made

wing, projecting either

Fig. 53.

8R00ND Floor Plan.

CO the rear or the side of the kitchen, for pantry,

dairy,

wash-room,

may be needed, can be readily added.

to make the library in an oval or octagonal

or whatever

Some would

prefer

style, as indicated

ner, dispensing

Fig. 59

by the dotted

with those in the

lines,

shows the perspective view.

This house

is

designed to be built of roughstone walls, neatly

pointed, and have dressed blue or

dressings.

with closets in the cor-

hall.

The roof

is

covered with

brown stone corners and

slates.

The House.

92

VIILA CIECULAE HOUSE.

There are queer people

and

it is

in the

world

a great many of them

Now,

not strange that there are also queer houses.

as our little

book

made

is

for everybody, it is but just that

queer peo])]e and their houses should be represented in

it.

Fig. fo.

spEOTivE View.

Very few
lar house,
in

jjersons,

although

we presume,
it

is

will desii'e to build a circu-

the form, as geometry demonstrates,

which the greatest possible space may be inclosed by a given

amount of wall but for the oddity of the thing, or because

economy of space may be secured, somebody may wish to do
;

it,

and look

for a design to adopt or imitate.

This circular house, in

plan,

was

erected

many

by Enoch Kobinson,

Somerville, Massachusetts.

No

Here

it is

respects quite original in

its

Esq., at Spring Hill,

timber was used

in

it.^

con-

IlorsKS OF Tavo Stories.

Btruction.
feet (the

The

walls are

made

of plank sawed on a circle of 40

diameter of the house), nailed together, one above the

other, in regular courses.

panes of

The windows

made

are

of four large

a single sash, which slides up into the wall,

glass, in

The

entirely out of the way.

same manner.
The oval parlor

inside blinds are arranged in the

24 feet long by 15

is

cular library, opposite,

is

front entry between these

Between the

feet wide.

The

cir-

13 feet in diameter, leaving a fine

two curves.

circular library, has a slate floor

wood.

93

kitclien

The

kitchen, next the

and walls of varnished white-

and the large dining-room

is

the

Fie. 61.

FiEST Floor Plan.

chimney and the kitchen and dining-room

as to

On

occupy very

little

closets, so

the second floor are seven chambers,

large, all

arranged

room.

two

of

opening into a pleasant rotunda, 13 feet

beneath the central skylight.

them

quite

in diameter,

The

9t

11

() i:

The acconiijanying sketch and plans will give a good idea of

the general appearance and arrangement of this truly original
and unique

edifice.

Though made of

tlie

best materials, and of superior workFig. 62.

Second Flooe Plan.

mansliip, this building

was erected

at an expense

much

less

than that of a square house erected in the ordinary way.

Ornamenting the Eoof.

A good

steep roofs of Gothic houses

effect is

produced on the

by cutting the shingles

One

in certain

patterns

before laying them.

made by

cutting the end of each shingle to a point, so as to

form a diamond pattern when

laid.

of the simplest forms

The

sliingles

good quality and uniform width and thickness.

mental shingles

may

also be used

boards, for the outside covering of

warm and

durable wall.

with good

wooden

is

must be of
These orna-

effect instead of

cottages, forming a

Houses of Two

j'

u iv:s.

95

IX.-A SWISS COTTAGE.

This design,

like

houses in the Swiss

most others represeutiug cottages aud

and intended for execution in this

style,

country lacks some of the peculiarities of the genuine Swiss

cottage, as

it is

Both

seen in Switzerland.

tlie

external finish

and the internal arrangements are necessarily modified, to

adapt them to our climate and habits. The architect has,
therefore, aimed to retain the general character of the style
Fig. 63.

Pekspectitb

merely, and to produce an eftect as

Vuw
little

removed from that of

the original chalit as the circumstances permit.

The

plans require

little

explanation.

cottage of the di-

mensions of this ought to have both front and back

to save expense

The

we have made one

front entrance

is

stairs,

but

flight serve in this case.

into a lobby, from

which both the par-

and the dining-room are entered. These rooms also open

into the stair hall, which is conveniently placed for daily use,

lor

and from which the kitchen

'-eparate enti'ance,
jellar

is

entered.

The

latter has also a

from the outside, tlirough the siuk-ruom.

under a part of the house would be

suflicieut.

The House.

96

This design, executed

wood,

iti

will cost, according to the

Foundation or cellar walls to be

architect's esti?nate, $2,300.

either stone sixteen inches thick, or of brick eight inclies thick

Fig. 64.

Fig. 65.

FiEST Floor Plan.

Second Floor

Pl/ln.

first-story rooms and landings to be hard finished

second-floor
rooms and landing; to be brown wall for papering; inclosing
to be done with clap-boards
roof to be tinned.
The ground
;

plans must be reversed, to agree with the perspective view.

Servants' Bedrooms.

These are generally, and

reasons, placed in the attic

it

can be so arranged,

it is

(where there

well to have a

of the kitchen, or of easy access from

duty

it

is

morning.

it,

one)

to be last in that apartment at night

It

saves

many

for obvious

but, where
bedroom opening out
for the person whose
is

and

first in

the

steps.

iMroKTANCE OF ARRANGEMENT. A great deal of labor, espewomen, is saved by an economical arrangement of the
more common rooms and hundreds of miles in walking, in
cially of

tlie

aggregate, avoided annually

by a few

tance between the princi|)al points.

/. J.

feet of lessened dis-

Thomas,

Houses of Two Stories.

97

X. A DOUBLE COTTAGE.

On

account of the economy thus secured,

desirable to build

two

distinct dwellings

it

sometimes

is

under one

arrangement saves not only part of the material, but

exterior covering

are

still

and

finish of

open to the light and

two walls

air,

and

This

roof.
all

the

as three sides

no serious disadvantage need

from their exclusion on the other side. Such houses,

however, must be skillfully planned in order to avoid dark aud
arise

Fig. 66.

First Floor Plan.

badly ventilated rooms.

The accompanying

design,

we

think,

meets the requirements of such a house in a very satisfactory

manner, and
build

is

offered with confidence to persons desiring to

two dwellings

It will

in one.

be seen that the two houses, although similar in their

general features, are considerably varied in their detaOs.

We

The House.

98
find the

same rooms in

each, but their sizes, forms,

to each other are different.

For

instance, on

and relations

one side

we have

the parlor and breakfast-room arranged en suite, with sliding

doors between them, while on the other they merely

nicate

common

by means of

differ in

form and

size,

commu-

The sitting-rooms

doors.

also

This gives persons purpos-

and so on.

ing to adopt such a design a choice of plans, as both houses

Fig. 67.

Second Flooe Plan.

may be
plan, or

built like tlie right-hand plan,

houses afford a tine front, and

in

and that

more than paid

so near.

may have

Nearly

all

for

all

as a double house

The two

a handsome elevation

be preferred.

general thing, however,

desirable,
is

may

such a style as

As a

both like the left-hand

each differing from the other, as shown.

that

is

we

think double houses not

saved in the expense of erection

by the inconvenience of having neighbors

houses

in cities, it is true, are built so close

but in

cities

there are no such things as

neighbors, and families live in adjoining houses for years with-

out any acquaintance.

FAR

]\I

HOU

99

!;

V[.
fARM-lI()USKS.
Between broad fleMs of wheiit and corn,
Is (he lowly Imme where I was h.iiii
The peach-tree lear.8 iieaiiist Hie wall.
And the wcodbine wanders over all. 7".

B. Itcud.

L-rPvELIMINART REMARKS.

ONVENIENCE and comfort are the first requirements of a farm-house

but there is no
reason here, more than in any other sort of
gSf=~
residence, why regard should not be had to beauty of ex-

^y

^_

"

^^

^;;" ternal features.

The former may properly have as handM \M~ some a house as the village lawyer or doctor, and in its
general features
It is

mainly

its

it

need not

differ

widely from that of either.

adjuncts its barns,

stables, piggery, poultryhouse, and other out-buildings that give the residence of the
agriculturist its peculiar appearance.
Almost any of our designs,

with slight modifications mainly the enlargement of

its oflSces, the addition of a milk-room, etc.

the kitchen and

may be adapted to the uses of a farm-house. For this reason

we content ourselves with giving two or three houses planned
with special reference to the farm.

Permanency should characterize the farm-house, therefore

should be glad to see bi-ick and stone brought into more
genei-al use in the construction
such buildings. Rough stone

we

<;''

The House.

100
is

an admirable material for a farm-honse and

advantageously used.

and with due regard to the

tioned (in Chapter

may

II.),

often be

essential conditions already

be adopted with

But whatever the material may

wood.

may

Concrete, too, in favorable situations,

men-

profit, instead of

be, let the construction

be substantial and enduring.

"The

kitchen," some one has said,

farm-house."
plan.

Let

See that

it

large; well lighted; well-ventilated; pro-

it is

vided with a large pantry, a sink,

Domestic help

Too much

is

"is the heart of the

receive a large share of attention in your

etc.,

and convenient of access.

not generally abundant

labor, at best, devolves

in

the farmer's family.

upon the

mistress.

"We

should have reference to labor-saving, then, in every arrange-

ment.

To

these ends

we hope our

II. A

This design

is

plan will furnish useful hints.

MODEL FAEM-HOUSE.

presented by the architect as a model farm-

house, suitable for a farmer in easy circumstances and with

the taste and culture which should accompany such a conFig. 68.

Fkont Elevation,
dition in

life.

For

less

expensive farm-houses, almost any of

our cottage designs, with slight alterations, will serve.

Fakm- rr(')rsES
The prominent feature- of
ground, compared ^\ itli

tlie

tliis

10\

design are

its

great extent on

that of the second story

coin-

arrangement of the rooms; and the compara-

|)actness in the

Fig. 69.

Side Elevation.

prominence given to the kitchen and its offices all of

whi^h promote the saving of labor and indicate adaptation to
tive

the uses of a farm-house.

The

front

and back

liall

respective entrances,

hall, v.-ith their

are separated, so that the front hall, parlor, family bedroom,

or sitting

room (according

to the use wiiich

made

of

it)

may

\s. 70.

be

may always

be kept clean and

tVey

from imnecessary contact

livin"room

the evei-y-day work

with

of the iiouse

wliile

back hall serves

common
hold.

nsesof

i"i)r

tlie

all

t!ie

the

house-

At the same time

the ventilation and coolness of the whole in sum-

mer

IS

secured by opening

FiBST Flook Plan.

the door by which the halls communicate.

and other domestic

offices, it will

The

kitchen, dairy

be seen, are admirably

situ-

The House.

102

The second

ated in reference to the back hall and entrance.

or attic floor affords four bedrooms,

all

of which are provided

with large

Fig. Tl.

may

and

closets,

be warmed.

The

exterior presents

a decidedly rural appear-

and indicates the

the house

ance,

character of
at a glance.

Its

veranda,

porch, bay window, and

curved roof with dormer

windows, give

an ex-

it

by no means
commonplace, but quite

pression

ATTIC.

])icturcsque.

Second Floor Plan.

Executed

wood,
and

with a cellar under the whole, this house will cost $2,250.

It

is

in a substantial

and

in

liberal style,

and finished througliout

also very suitable for execution in stone or brick.

III. A

This plan, in

its

general features,

F. Allen's excellent

but

is

FARM HOUSE PLAN.

work on
most of

so modified in

"

is

borrowed from Lewia

Farm Houses,

its

details that

Cottages, etc.,"
it

just to hold Mr, Allen responsible for any fault

would not be

it

may

contain.

In this plan, as in the previous one, the front hall

rated from the back hall by a door, to shut out,
requires, all the sights

parlor and living-room.

in

farm-houses

is

The

living or family-room

closet

is

made

to

when

is

communicate by n^eans of a door where the

represented in the design.

in the

back

may

These two rooms

We

have dispensed with

the back stairs, which are, however, very desirable, and

had

a large

the kitchen,

generally used for this purpose,

prove too small, or be otherwise occupied.

nuiy be

sepa-

and sounds of the kitchen from the

apartment, and will serve as a dining-room

which

is

when occasion

hall

by making

it

little

may be

wider at the expense

Farm-House8.
of the bedroom, or

with

tiie

by omitting the store-room.

kitchen fire-place

is

_.
_.
Fig. 72.

vented renders

Coimected

an oven, which, in our hum-

no cooking
ble opinion,

*^
stove or range yet in'

103

useless.

In the wing, the pantry,

milk-room, wash-room,

and

bath-room,

privy

are conveniently arrang-

Beyond

ed.

and

these,

separated from them by

the wood-shed, are the

piggery, work-shop, stable, etc.

The

main

building

should be two stories in

height,

and the wing a

We

story and a half.

omit
plan,

second

floor

which may

easily

be arranged from

this,

which we give rather

as a hint or suggestion

than as a finished design.

Old Eoofs.
ever a roof
leak,

When

begins to
^'^^'^ ^'^^'^ ^''^*'-

and you wish to

re-shingle

it,

do not take off the old shingles

shingles on top of the old ones

nails in place of

but

four-penny or shingle

make
nails.

put

the

The advantage

of this method will consist in the following particulars

1.

Will save the expense of removing the shingles.

2.

The building

before

it is

will not be

finished.

new

use of six-penny

exposed to wet in case of rain

The House.

104:

much warmer ond

3.

The roof

4.

Neither snow nor rain can beat under the butts of the

will

be

tigliter.

shingles by lieavy winds.

The roof

5.

have

It takes
little

no more

longer

find that

no more

it

has these advantages

nails in

number

and no more time to put them on, and

it

stilF

Era,

broom

if

any

if

much

should be removed or swept

before putting on the

new

shingles,

only a
done

will look as well as if single.

should be done before the old shingles are too

All the moss

and

shingles,

a workmanlike manner,
it

one third longer.

will last full

tried this plan,

in

But

decayed.
off

with

National

105

Villas.

VII.
VILLAS.
Here no state ch^nnbers in long line unfold,
Bright with bniail minors, rough with fretio.l gold,
Yet nlMie^t ornament with use combined
Attracts the eye to exejvise tlie mind.

I. WHAT 18

A VILLA?

1^.
ISTOETCALLY,
swered.

It

was

the question

originally a

is

readily an-

summer

residence

in the vicinity of an Italian city, erected for

occupation merely during the

'j'

is

o.

now

warm

season.

The word

used with a wider signification.

According to Downing, " what we mean by a villa in

is the country house of a person of
competence or wealth sufficient to build and maintain it with
'

j]^

the United States,

some

taste

and elegance

the most refined home of America

and educated class of citizens."

home of its
" What, then," continues Mr. Downing, " should the villa be
It should be, firstly, the most
architeoturallv?

most

the

convenient

secondly,

thirdly, the

"

The

taste,
tlie

leisurely

most

villa

should indeed be a private house where beauty,

and moral culture are

whole

and

the most truthful or significant

beautiful, of dwellings.

at

home.

In the fine outlines of

edifice, either dignified, graceful,

or picturesque; in

the spacious or varied verandas, arcades, and

select

windows;

forms of windows, chimney-tops, cornices, the

in the
artistic

The House

106
feeling has full play

while in the arrangement of spacious apart-

ments, especially the devotion of a part to a library or cabinet,

sacred to books, and in that elevated order and system of the
Avhole plan, indicative of the inner domestic

development of the
acterizes the

intellectual

most cultivated families

II. A

we

find the

in their country houses."

SMALL VILLA IN THE ITALIAN STYLE.

This, although not a large house,

eral scale,

life,

and moral nature, which char-

is

planned on a more

and betokens more expensive

tastes,

lib-

than any of

Fig. 73.

-WtllTb

li

Front Elevation.

The convenient access

the designs hitherto given.

oi.is

their

arrangement

in

to all ihe

connection with each other and

Fig. 74.

..xxiinjinin^

Side Elktatioit.

YlLLAS,

107
Fig. 76.

Fiit. 75.

Second Flook Plan.

FiEST Flook Plan.

R'ith

the halls; and especially the location of the kitchen in

reference to the dining-room, butler's pantry, laundry, back

show a nice appreciation of the wants of a family of

^'S- '^7some wealth and cultivation as well as of the
labor.
household
principles of economy in
The spacious front hall, and the back hall
hall, etc.,

with the separate

stairs for

the domestics,

add to the characteristic features of the

in-

terior.

The second and attic floors furnish ample

bedroom accommodations, etc., for a large
They require no explanation.
family.
In

its

external form the house

portioned,
ance,

its

is

well pro-

and presents a pleasing appear-

most striking feature being

its fine

veranda.

design similar to this has been executed

at Elizabeth,

Now

Jersey, at a cust of about

Amo

Plan.

The House,

108

$3,450, the whole beiug finished in first-class style.

built in a plainer

The

sciile

way

for

from $400 to $500

It

may be

less.

in this design is reduced to thirty-two feet to the

incli.

III.-A.
Tliis

may

safely be

BRICK VILLA.

pronounced a model design.

merits will be conceded by every one

to

examine

it

who

Its

great

will take the pains

closely.
Fi-. 7S.

SiDK Elevation.

On

the

first floor

two opposite main

entrances, with lobbies,

give access to a fine vestibule in connection with the main

stair-hall.

This hall and vestibule are so placed as to afford

direct access to a parlor, dining-room, sitting-room, and l^itch-

en

and there being a

seen at a glance

may

how

fire-place in tlie vestibule, it will be

parlor, dining-room,

be used together whenever occasion

and sitting-room

may

require.

The

dining-room and kitchen communicate through a butler's pantry.

The

library

may,

if

desirable,

have an outside entrance

from the veranda in front of the kitchen.

Villas.

109

The arrangement of apartments on the second floor is admiEach bedroom lias u separate entrance from the hall,
rable.
and, if desired, all of these in the main house may communi-

The

cate with each other.

kitchen

ceiling of the

Fig. 79.

Fife.

Ground Plan.

winir

SO.

Second Flook.

lower than that of the main house, which accounts for the
stairs or steps

the first-floor
attic,

shoAvn in the plan

(ieiling.

and lighted from above

for the second-story hall

end of the
In the

besides, there

up

to the

sufficient light

is

and passage, from a window at the

first

design

(fip'.

sills,

81) the walls and

tin rolls.

the dressings,

all

are of faced-brick painted, with white

mortar or dark stone putty.

the

but this does not show in

stairs are carried

latter.

except the window

with

The main

The

roofs are of tin

There are inside shutters to

all

ornamented

the \^indow3 in

main house.

The

ceilings of the

main house arc 12J

feet

high for the

first

The IIodsb.

110

Fig. 81.

Fkont Elevation No.

story,

and lOi

wing are 9j

feet

feet for the

and 9

1.

second story.

feet respectively.

Front Elbvation No.

Those of kitchen

Executed in a liberal

9.

Villas.

Ill

style of inside tiuisli, the cost will not

furnace, gas-pipes,

exceed $9,000, including

plumbing work, and marble mantles.

Fig. 82 represents a front elevation of the

the parlor and vestibule omitted.

same house with

slight alteration in the

design will admit of these being afterward added, bringing the

house into the form represented in the previous design.

here shown,

This design

intended to be executed in good hard brick,

is

cemented on the

surface, laid out in courses

and painted.

though some architects vehemently protest against

inastic wall, it is to be

moderate pretensions,

The

As

makes a convenient but smaller house.

it

if

Al-

this so-called

recommended for suburban houses of

work be performed the right way.

the

cost of this house will not exceed $6,900,

all

included.

IV. A GOTHIC VILLA.

This house

entered through a low porch, of which the

is

principal feature

is

tangular columns.

three pointed arches supported on four oc-

This porch leads to a

from which doors open into

1st,

9.6x13.6, and

a library on the right,

16X16, which
from a square

by cutting
the

liall,

Fig. S3.

is

converted

into an octagon

off the corners in

manner shown, thereby

obtaining

books

left,

16.6

2d,

four

18,

bold, projecting

front

having

window

a
in

3d, a dining-room be-

hind the library, 17

lighted

for

closets

a parlor on the

by a

17.3,

bay window,

semi-octangular on the plan,

and furnished with a small

First Floor Plan.

The House,

112
closet, fur plate,

taken off the kitchen

terraiuating in a

back entrance which opens upon a veranda.

Two

other doors lead from the staircase

and, 4th, a staircase,

one to a living-room

15X17, and the other to a kitchen on the right,

12.9X15, having a pantry, between which and the diningroom closet a very convenient recess is obtained, opposite one
on the

left,

of the windows, for the table

behind, and

The

a small store-room

provided

is

entered from the kitclien.

is

folio-wing

accommodation

is

obtained Upon the chamber

may

story, viz., a closet at the top of the landing, vrhich

as a linen press; a

be used

bedroom, 15x15, over the living-room,

with a closet

a bath-room, a

bedroom 12.3 X
closet, attached,

ing-room
16,

a nursery,

over the library

9.6

doir,

and

14,

over the din-

13.6,

1(3

a bou-

over

the

hall,

which leads to a balcony

over

tlie

porch

rooms over the

of which

is

and two bedparlor, each

furnished with a

closet.

The
Second Flooii Plan.
ately behind the

formed under the

may be formed

and an additional closet

imi-sery,
stairs,

stairs leading

to the

tower are situated immedi-

if

thought necessary.

may be

The nursery

into an octangular shape, if preferred,

and four

closets obtained, as in the library.

There are

fire-places provided to the nursery

and to the bed-

room over the dining-room there may also be fire-places

obtained for two of the remaining bedrooms, namely, that o"er
;

the living-room and the adjoining one over the parlor; these,
in

the present arrangement,

flne.s,

and

into one shaft

The

it is

pi'oposed to heat by

f^r this purpose the flues

style

is

between the

means of

from below are gathered

closets.

the English rural Gothic of the fifteenth centurv

114

The House.

The

qnoins, window-dressings, porch, coping to side walls

gables, shields, imillions to

and
windows, covers to projecting win-

dows, embrasures and supporting brackets to tower, should be

of roughly chiseled stone, and the remainder of the external

work of rough stone, hammer dressed, be* not laid in courses.

The outer walls should be about twenty inches thick the
inner walls may be of brick, eight inches thick.
;

It

may perhaps

not be unnecessary to say that

attempt this style of building in wood

useless to

it is

the quaintly antique and

massive character of the architecture can not be obtained otherwise than in stone, and any attempt to produce
will only result in a caricature,

thrown away.

It

may

this

timber

in

also be added, that this style will not

admit of external shutters of any kind

needed in

it

and be so much time and money

way must

whatever may be

therefore be fixed inside.

v. A PICTUKESQUE VILLA.

We

insert, as

we have

before

had occasion

some

to remark,

commend
and judgment, because we

very queer houses, and some which by no means

themselves to our individual taste

make
rest

this

book

for all sorts of people

and

must

tolerate all tastes

So we give

pressing our own.

us,

with the hope that

it

the queer ones with the

and opinions while

this villa,

will please

designed by Mr. Bradbury, of this

freely ex-

which does not please

somebody

city.

It

else.

The following

is

was
his

description

" This building

log cabin to
etor,

we

its

is

supposed to have grown gradually from a

present comfortable proportions.

will suppose, goes into the "Western wilds

a beautiful

site,

propri-

and

selects

and (having, of course, consulted a member of

that profession which

'

The

medicine') builds his

demands

(12x20

as

much study

feet) cabin,

as

'

law' or

which, for decency's

two apartments, a parlorbedroom (W. 10X8), afterward

In the course of a few years
used as a kitchen and wash-room.
he adds the little bedroom (Pn, 7X6) and staircase (S. 7X 12),

sake,

we

kitchen'

will suppose to contain

(K. 10X10) and

'

^^

The House,

116

The

afterward used as a pantry and back staircase.

girls

now

have a snug room to themselves, while the boys find a more

ccminodious dormitory in the loft.
Fig. 87.

The house now presents the

of

fig.

exterior

In the course of a dozen

87.

years the country around becomes

is

a brick-kiln and

saw-mill near by.

Railroads have

There

settled.

cheapened other building materials,

and increased
his crops.

tlie

profitableness of

His family has been increased by

Troops of tow-heads, bobbing

in tlie corn.'

They and the progress of civilization call for an enlargement of

his habitation, which he builds according to the original plau
(fig. 88),

the old house

now

serving as a pantry (Pn.), kitchen

Fig. 88.

kM^\'
Ps
(K.),

SI s<"'TtvE

wasliroom (W.), and back

View

staircase.

His house

is

now

comprised in the entrance hall (L. 11.^12x12), square dra^'ing-room (H.

18X18), circular

dining-room (Dn.
(R.

12X18),

staircase (0. S.

12X12), the

into which the winter

bedroom

12X12) opens, by folding doors, so that they can be made

one at any time (and make one long dining-room when the
house

is

further enlarged).

He may throw

out a bay window

The House.

118
here or a piazza

R. GO X 25),

(D.

tliere,

or even

the large drawing-room

enough to hold half the

large

the house with these additions satisfies

him

village

but

for year

" His sons get into successful business in the neighboring

city

his daughters are well married

and they
cabinet
(P.

18X24),

octagonal

(O.,

18X30), the

and have

'

been abroad,'

upon adding the coach porch (C), the

insist

all

the

family drawing-room

library (L., circular, 30 feet across), the pic

30X60, or

ture gallery (P. G,, lighted from the roof

and the aviary, grapery, or winter garden (W.

making the square drawing-room

open to

The house or
with

(H.),

room

(H.) a grand entrance hall

villa

now

made

in

framing the

(D. E.), with

;

floors.

grand entrance

consists of the

vestibules and coach porch

its

and balconies

more),

and upon

with galleries leading to the various chambers,

roof,

provision for which has been

"

G.),

hall

the large drawing-

accessory boudoir (B.), piazzas, bays,

its

the dining-room (Dn. R.), with

the small drawing-room

its closets,

pan-

the library

try,

kitchen, etc.

(L.),

the picture gallery (P. G.), the winter garden (W. G.), and

the cabinet (0.).

The upper

(P.),

stories are conveniently divided

into chambers, dressing-rooms, bath-rooms, corridors, etc."

VI. A
Tliifl

SOUTHEEN VILLA.

house consists of a large center and two wings, connected

by two covered arcades of one story each. It is entered under

a veranda 12 feet wide, which extends the whole length of the
front,

and

is

also continued

vestibule,
etc.

The

around each side of the projecting

The entrance door

portion of the center.

10X17, having four niches

leads to an elliptical

for

statuettes,

vases,

17X21,
Each of

vestibule opens on the right into a parlor,

and on the

left into

a drawing-room of a like

size.

by two windows, of which those at the

snds of the rooms are projecting. The vestibule at its farther
end leads into a hall 8 feet wide, which extends across the whole

these

rooms

is

lighted

-?q1?
^4
L-LH>-

_:---->

^F3

a-^

The House-

120

central portion of the building, and being continued outside of

the center at each end so far as to embrace the veranda, ter-

minates in an open arcade wliich leads to the wings.

Tlie

center and wings at the rear of the building are also connected

by two open arcades in the manner shown.

the

we

hall,

a central

14.6X17, and the entrance to

of

two

it

which return
The staircase is

central, eacli of

or side flights lands upon the cliamber

means

and two return

flight leading to the first landing,

one on each side of the

flights,

Passing across

find the principal stairs, consisting of three fliglits

may

floor.

be

ornamented by

riclily

pilasters or columr.s supporting an arch above.

Passing on toward the rear of the building under the

first

Flf.91.

FlPST Pl.OOR Plaw.

landing of the
tlie first

stairs,

we

liml

two rmseLs

to the right,

and under

landing a door leading to a gentleman's dressing-room,

10X12.6. with closet attached; and at the opposite side of

we find a door opening upon a lobby which leads

the landing

to one of the arcades at the rear of tlie building, before noticed.

Returning to the

hall,

and proceeding along

of the principal entrance,

liiihted

we

find

by a large window at one end

torm, and by malcing

it

of

tliis

it

to the right

a dining-room, 1GX28,
;

it

is

octangular in

shape, four closets are obtained

This room has three doors, one

;*ngles, as shown.
opening upon one of the arcades at the rear, another opening

at the

Villas.

121

which communicates with the waiter's room, and

The waiter's room is 7.6x9,
and communicates with a small closet; a pantry, 6x13.6*
and a store-room, 8.6X13.6; the store-room has also a door
to a passage

the third opening to the hall.

Continuing our progress along the ar-

into the front arcade.

cade,

we

find,

which leads

immediately after passing the store-room, a lobhy

and also communiwing of the building. Two

to a gentleman's bath-room,

cates with a staircase in the right

doors open at the bottom of this staircase

one to a

billiard-

room, 16X18.6, at the rear of the wing, having a closet iinder

the stairs before alluded

of the rear arcades

to,

and with a door opening upon one

the other door at the bottom of the stairs

smoking-room 11.3x16, which has also a door

communicating with the arcade in front. Two closets are
leads to a

attached to the sraoking-rcom, with a door between opening

upon a platform occupying the space between the closets,
extending to the front of the wing, and covered so as to form
an open recessed space from tlie front wall of the wing, which

admits of smoking in the open

air.

Proceeding again along the

cipal entrance,

we come

hall,

but to the

left

of the prin-

to a boudoir, 13.6X8.6, elliptical on

plan, with four niches as in the vestibule,

and

for similar pur-

poses; the boudoir opens into a lady's dressing-room, 8X13.6.

which

last is also entered

from the

hall.

Succeeding this

is

communicating with a bedroom, 13.6x14,

which is also entered from the arcade. The arcade terminates
at the remaining or left wing of the building, with which it
communicates by a door which leads into a large lobby, connursery, 13.6X16,

taining the stairs to the

which

is

chamber

a side entrance door.

floor,

and two

closets,

between

This lobby leads to an octan-

16x16, which communicates with a cabinet,

12X16, from which a door opens to the left arcade at the rear

gular library,

of the building.

The second or chamber story

is

divided as follows:

two

triangular spaces are taken off the second landing of the principal stairs, in such a

manner
G

as to preserve the

symmetry

The House.

122
the landing

is

thus converted into a semi-octagon, and this

process, in conjunction with that of

narrowing the hall to

five

number of closets, Avhich are appropriated as shown on the plan. The entrance from this landing
to the hall may be ornamented in a manner somewhat similar

feet,

enables us to obtain a

to the lower entrance before described.

passage commencing at the landing on the dining-room

side, leads to

two bedrooms over the dining-room,

the passage being 13.6X15, and the other

be made of equal

size, if

The passage turns

preferred

15X16

that nest

may

these

each has a closet attached.

at right angles, leads to a linen press,

terminates at a lady's bath-room.

Bedrooms

and

are also obtained

over the parlor and drawing-room, each 16X17.6, and over the
Fig. 92.

Second Flooe Plan.

boudoir, 13x18.6.

leaving

two

All these

closets opening

bedrooin, and which

may be

be thought advisable.

located over the vestibule

bedrooms have

closets attached,

from the passage, unattached to any

applied to whatever purpose

may

circular room, 17 feet diameter, is

this

room, with a circular table in

the center, covered with rare shells, bijouterie,

statuettes or vases in the niches,

may

etc.,

and with

be made to assume a

very rich and ornamental character.

The windows

to the parlor

rooms over them, and

and drawing-room,

to the bed-

to the circular room, should be

French

Villas.
casements oi)ening to the

floor, so

123

as to allow access to the

veranda and balcony.

Two bedrooms

are also obtained over the billiard and smok-

ing rooms; the former 15.6x15, and the latter 13X15, with
closets to each;

and two more bedrooms, with attached

closets,

and an additional large closet, are provided over the library

and cabinet; that over the library being 12x13.6, and that
over tliC cabinet 12X13. The stairs to the tower are situated
along the external wall of the building, over the two closets

shown on

before mentioned, as

Access to the

which may be removed when not

ladder,

better, a flight of stairs

still

the plan.

on the roof may be obtained by a step-

flat

may be

in use

or,

what

is

constructed in the space

occupied by the two closets adjacent to the bedroom over the

boudoir, and inclosed

by a door

so arranged as not to interfere

with the symmetrical appearance of the

hall.

Should

tliis

method be adopted, two or three bedrooms may be

formed in the roof, and lighted by skylights from the flat.
The style is Italian. The quoins, the window and door
latter

dressings, the

chimney

be of stone

the remainder of the external walls of good,

tops,

and the arcades are proposed to

The quoins and window dressings

work commonly

square, Avell-burned brick.

to the first story are to be of the kind of

known

as

rock-work

that

is

to say, the stones are to be first

hammer-di-essed, then truly bedded and jointed, and lastly a

margin draft chiseled

faces

ofi"

the outer edges of the external sur-

this draft should be

about two inches wide, leaving the

remainder of the external faces rough from the hammer.

also

It is

proposed to execute part of the mason work of the arcades

and of the wings

tion in

which

it

in this style
is

but the portions of the eleva-

proposed to introduce this description of

stone-cutting are sufficiently indicated on the engraving.

The

quoins and dressings to the second story are to project from

the face of the brick-work, and to have the angles chamfered
off.

good idea of the remaining features of the elevation

presumed, be obtained from the engraving.

will, it is

Villas.
VII.AN
Tl.e

main body of

each side being 20

house 48 feet

tins
feet,

125

OCTAGON VILLA.

house

is

a regular octagon on tlieplan,

giving the whole width of the main

with 12 feet additional for the wings.

angular apartments are built against four of

ing four projections, each of which

The

sions.

principal building

stories high,

is

that

and the wings one

tlie walls,

Eect-

form-

18.8x10, clear dimen-

is,

story.

the octagon

The whole

is

two

structure.

Fig. 94.

FinsT Flook Plan.

for tlie

purpose of giving effect to the elevation,

six feet

above

A flight
f:om

.)f

wliicli

tiie

!-tei)S

we

is

raised about

adjoining ground.
in front

lands upon a veranda six feet wide

enter through the front door to a vestibule,

7x7, and from which, passing through a glass door, we enter

hall, seven feet wide, which is continued through the

r.he

building, having the rear entrance door at

its

farther extremity.

Immediately inside of the glass door we find a door on each

side of the hall

that to the right opens into a small, irregularly-

The He

126

use.

shaped reception-room, of which the length

across the fire-place,

inside,

measuring

13.6; and parallel to the hall, 12.6.

is

This room leads into an elliptical boudoir, 10X18.8, with

The door on the opposite

niches in the walls.

side of the hall

from which we enter into a cloak-closet 6x6;

and going forward through the opposite door, we find ourselves
leads to a lobby,

This room

in the conservatory.

notwithstanding

its irregularity,

is

also irregular in form, but

a slight glance will show that

The wall of the main building, which cuts

two unequal portions, is perforated so as to allow of
the introduction of Gothic columns and arches; and it is proit is
it

symmetrical.

into

posed not only to have the arches open, but also the spandrels

between, and the whole of the space above to the ceiling;

these perforations will, of course, be molded, and cusps,

foils,

and other Gothic ornaments introduced creeping plants may

be trained around the columns and through the openings, and
;

if

the ornamentation be of that light and graceful character of

which the Gothic supplies such a

may

picturesque effect

we

hall,
left,

find

variety, a very pleasing

two doors opening

and

Proceeding along the

be produced.
into the

drawing-room on the

and also two doors opening into the dining-room on the

right

each of these rooms

is

19x10.3

tlie

former opens also

into the conservatory; the latter has a small closet attached

for plate.

Proceeding farther along the

to the right,

under the upper landing

basement

stairs,

we

a door from this passage opens to the

is

lOX 16.3, and is

fitted

up with two closets;

has also a fire-place projecting outward, which

an ornamental feature
the hall

we

find the stairs

leading to the kitchen and other ofiices below.

The breakfast-room
it

hall,

and enter the breakfast-room from a passage formed

the elevation.

in

On

find a passage leading to a

bedroom, 10X18.8,

having also a projecting fire-place and a small

opens from this passage into a store-room.
building another veranda

is

may be made

the other side of

closet.

At

door

the rear of the

found, with a flight of steps as at

the front.

Ascending the

fitairs,

we

enter a

bedroom on the

landing,

Vi LLAf
13x19.3, and passing forward we

7x7, and

still

farther

we

find

127
find a

bath to the

right,

two bedroom

doors, one of

which

leads to an irregular-shaped room, being over the store-room

and passage on the principal

ing-room,

is

floor; the other,

over the draw-

the same size as that already described, 13x19.3;

each of these bedrooms

is

provided with a

closet.

If a greater

number of rooms be desired, these principal bedrooms can be

divided in the manner shown by the dotted lines. It is supposed the servants' bedrooms "will be in the basement. Opposite

the bath-room door

lar picture gallery,

we

find a

door leading to an octangu-

19.3X19.3, from which, on the opposite

Fig. 96.

Seookd Floor Plan.

side,

a door opens into a symmetrical room in the form of an

irregular hexagon.

12.9 broad.

The extreme length of this room is 31.6 by

may be made to form, not only

These two rooms

the most attractive feature of the house, but

will

make

in a

house of such limited extent as

may have

a combination the like of which

a groined paneled

tliis.

if skillfully

treated

met with
The octagon room
is

rarely

ceiling, the ribs springing fi-om

Gothic columns attached to the walls at the angles of the room,

and terminating against the angles of an octangular lantern

The House.

i28

surrounded by a richly ornamented cornice; the lantern

light

to be filled in

with stained

height above the roof.

room

adjoining

managed

will

glass,

The

and

to project a considerable

principal point of attraction in the

be the noble Gothic window, which,

as a Gothic

lions, cusps, foils, stained glass,

and

all

the other etceteras, will,

when the door

conjunction with the octagon room,

in

if

window may be managed, with mulis

thrown

open, have a magnificent effect.

Two

balconies are provided in front

atory, the other over the boudoir

to

one over the conservbe entered from the

front room.

The

building has eight gables;

it

also has eight ridges

eight valleys, meeting at the lantern in the center.

and

The gables

are ornamented with verge boards of different patterns, so

that each front presents a diffei-eut appearance

and the chim-

neys are so contrived that the stacks will stand one half on
each side of a ridge.

We

give no estimate of the expense of this house, as

it is

one

on which a great amount of ornamental work can be put to advantage, or

is

it

can be built quite plain.

finished will, to a great degree,

finished,

on

it

it

with

The

style in

which

govern the expense.

it

Plainly

can be erected for $5,000; and $25,000 can be spent

ease, if the builder desires to

make

it

what

it

can be

made, one of the most unique and tasteful houses ever erected.

Barns. Etc.

129

VIII.

AND OTHER OUT-BUILDINGS.

BARi\'S,

There is the harn and, as of yore,

I can smell the hay from the open door,

And
And

hear

Oh, ye
Step

the hiisy swallows throng,

8<-e

tlie

who

peewee's mournful son^.

daily cross the

lislitly, for I

love

And when you crowd

sill.

it still

the old barn eaves,

Then think what countless harvest sheaves

Have passed within that scented door,
To gladden eyes that are no more. T. B. Read.

I. PRELIMINARY

LL
|i^

^ our

yM 0^

REMARKS.

we need say in introduction to

designs may be embraced in a single

that

paragraph.

Let your out-buildings cor-

j^
^'

respond in character with your house,

*^

tending in style as adaptation to their

and be as simple

in plan

and

as unpre-

uses and an agreeable and appropriate

external appearance will permit.
stable,

To

cottage.
is

A stable

should pass for a

and not be so elaborate as to be mistaken

for a farm-

build a poultry-house in the

equally absurd.

form of a palace
Let each seem to be just what it is, and

present an example of complete fitness for the purpose of

its

erection.

Our

designs, in general, require very little explanation,

speak for themselves.

they

may

may, at

Some
Ose,

of

and

"We present them in the hope that, where

not be found exactly adapted to particular cases, they

least,

furnish useful hints toward the tiling required.

them have stood the

test of actual construction

and have proved well adapted to their purposes.

6*

and

The House,

130

ii. lewis f.

allen's babn.

"We are indebted to the "Annual Register of Eural

for the

accompanying design.

It represents

xVffairs'

one of the best

barns, probably, ever erected in this country, and, although

nnich larger than will generally be required, furnishes a model

most respects

in

any desired

for a structure of

much

from the " Register" so

our ])urpose
" The body of the main barn

is

wide, the posts 18 feet high above the

beams

are 14 feet above the

The

inner posts.

wide, but

hay.

may

making 9

which

sills,

The

copy

100 feet long by 50 feet

sill,

is

readily un-

a grain barn,

floor, for

The

bents.

the height of the

is

position of the floor and bays

derstood from the plan.

We

size.

of the description as will serve

is

14

feet

be contracted to 12 feet for one exclusively for

Tlie area in front of the bays is occupied

with a station-

ary horse-{)o\ver and with machinery for various form operations,

such as threshing, shelling corn, cutting straw, crushing

grain, etc.,

all

of which

is

driven by bands from drums on the

horizontal shaft overhead, which runs across the floor from the

horse-power on the other side

by a

this shaft being driven

cog-wheel on the perpendicular shaft round which the horses

travel.

"

passage four feet wide extends between the bays and the

stables,

which occupy the two wings.

of the bays,

down which

renders this

work

tlie

hay

for feeding,

three feet higher than that

is

This will allow a cellar under

a deeper extension of the bays

and

it

it,

if

desired

allows storage

the cattle, with sufficient slope of roof.

barn

for

over

from the

two feet wide. A manure window

The stalls are double; that is,
which are held to their places by a rope

placed at every 12

two animals

or

floor.

" The line of mangers

is

lofts

short flight of

steps at the ends of each passage admits easy access

level of the

which

as easy and convenient as possible.

" The floor of the main barn

of the stables.

This extends up to the top

thrown

is

each,

is

feet.

aud chain, attached to a staple and

riiif

at each corner of

thj

Bakns, Etc.
stall.

pole or

This

mode

scaiitliiig,

is

131

preferred to securing' by stanchions,

placed over their heads, prevents them from

climbing so as to get their feet into the mangers, which they

are otherwise very apt to do.
" Th sheds, which extend on the three sides of the barn,

and touch

An

it

at the rear end, are

inclined 2}lane, from the

main

on a

level

floor

through the middle of

with the

stables.

the back shed, forms a rear egress for wagons and carts, de-

scending three feet from

tlie

floor.

The two rooms, one on

each side of this rear passage, 16 by 34

feet,

may

be used for

The House.

132

housing sick animals, cows about to calve, or any other par-

The

pose required.

stables at the front ends of the sheds are

convenient for teams of horses or oxen, or they

may be

16 feet square at the inner corners of the sheds,

for Aveak

may

" Hacks or mangers

on the

may

young

be fitted up in the open sheds for

cattle,

and yards may be

Barred partitions

or they may,

if

may

Bars

diiferent flocks.

built adjoin-

number, into which they may

rear, six or eight in

run and be kept separate.

also inclose the

required, be boarded

up

tight.

may

separate the

opening in

A granary

stairs.

over the machine-room

is

Poles extending from bay to bay, over the

when exposed

the same time becoming

understood,

we would

poles be reserved for

A one-sided roof

sided), to

throw

all

is

underground pipe,

As straw
and

is

at

as its uses are better

deposit from the elevator from threshis

made

for

it

in

one of the bays.

given to the sheds (instead of a double-

the water on the outside, in order to keep

the interior of the yards dry.

from the roofs to

floor, will

suggest that the space on these cross

its

ing grain, or until space

"

to the weather,

more valuable

lofts.

entered by a flight of

admit the storage of much additional hay or grain.

can not be well kept

front,

Step-ladders are

placed at convenient intervals, for ascending the shed

"

be used

ewes, lambs, or for a bull-stable.

feeding sheep or
ing,

fitted

The rooms,

for wagon-houses, tool-houses, or other purposes.

Eave-troughs take the water

The cisterns, if connected by an

may be all drawn from by a single pump if

cisterns.

necessary."
III. ME.

CHAMBERLAIN'S OCTAGON BARN.

The accompanying cut represents the ground plan of an oo

tagon barn erected by Mr. Calvin Chamberlain, of Foxcroft
Maine, and described Six the "Eeports of the Board of Agriculture" of that State.

The plan

is

on a scale of 15

the structure to be a

" There

is

trifle

feet to

the inch, which shows

over 36 feet in diameter.

a cellar under the whole, eight feet deep, and a

Bakns, Etc.

133

cart-way leading ont on a level. The floor is ten feet in the

clear;
doors same width and heig'ht
height below scaffold, seven
and a half feet clear entire height of walls, 19 feet.
door
;

Tis. 97.

Gkul'.M) Plan.

shown opening north to the pasture, four feet wide and seven
and a half feet high one south, same size, opening to yard; one
on southwest side communicates with other building;,. Stairs
is

lead to cellar and hay-loft.

Passage-way behind cattle stalls

admitting wheelbarrow to pass at any time to any
manure scuttle. Gates hanging to outer wall close passages to
five feet wide,

stalls,

may occupy its place untied. Sideand a large window on opposite side, one

so that any animal

lights at large doors,

sash of which slides horizontally, light the stable.

Four

large

windows, set quite up to the plates, light the hay-loft. These

let down at top, and are left down half the
year; the two-feet
projection of the roof protects

all

lighted by four double

side-light at

stairs.

The open

them from
windows and the

storms.

Cellar

is

head of

space, 13 feet long, at end of floor, admits

The House.

134

the horse, so that the hay-cart

bam

for unloading.

floor,

and 12

feet

is

brought to the center of the

'A scaffold 13 feet long is put over the

above

it."

This small barn, Mr. Chamberlain says, will store 20 tons of

hay.

rV.MR. BECKWITH'S

OCTAGON BARN

The annexed cut represents the basement plan

erected by E.

W. Beckwith,

of the barn

Principal of the Boys' Boarding

School, at Cromwell, Middlesex County, Connecticut, in Sep-

tember, 1858.

The beauty and convenience of the arrangement for stalls

The octagon form is

and feeding can be seen at a glance.

adopted because

it is

best adapted to inclose the desired plan.

This building, SOj feet short diameter, 12^ feet each

side, or

100 feet inside circumference, and 13 feet each outside, or 104

Fig. 9S.

Basement Pla.
feet circumference

when

the wall

is

present case, incloses an area of 750

The

wall

is

14 inches thick, as

in the

feet.

grouted stone work, laid up between planks cui

the right length for each inside and outside of angle, lield to

Barns, Etc.

135

the proper distance apart by cast-iron clamps pierced with

lioles at

each end to receive the iron dowels driven into each

These planks, when

edge of the planks.

in

an npright position

on the wall, should be plumbed and staylathed preparatory to

The basement

laying the stone.

floor is cemented, the horses

standing on a movable slat-work, which keeps the bedding

The height of

dry.

space from the

this story

stalls to

feet long, including

should be eight

the wall, four feet wide

feet
;

the clear

the stalls six

manger-box, which leaves a circle in the

center about ten feet diameter as the base of a cone, over

which
cone

all

is

the feed

is

thrown down

to the animals.

Under the

a fine place for a water-tank or pump.

The remaining space, when not wanted for stalls, furnishes

room for cleaning off horses, for storing roots, for an ice-house,
or any other purpose for which it may be wanted.
The feeding place is a hole about three feet square over the
apex of the cone, which can be covered with a scuttle.
The walls are 26 feet high from the foundation, giving 16
feet altitude above the barn floor, which can be left clear and
open to the roof, thus allowing the hay to be deposited in any
direction and to

way

any required proportion of the space

to the feed- hole being

There

is

one door, 9 by 10

left,

window on

course a place would be partitioned off

The

in

the up-hill side.

if carriages

Of

are to be

the barn.

cost of this stone barn, covered with mastic roofing at

five cents a foot, will

The

a gang-

feet, to this floor, for carriages, etc.,

the hay being taken in at a

housed

or cut afterward, at option.

be about $325.

walls cost $230, but closer personal attention would

have luade them cheaper. A wood barn on the same basement would have cost at least $40 more, and not be as good
for

many

There

reasons.

nothing to burn by fire but one floor, and the roof

and the walls would be left for another.
The utility of narrow stalls, in this case five feet wide at the
is

broad end and two feet at the manger,

may be

quBstioned

]>y

The House.

136
some

but you have that matter entirely according to fancy,

the peculiar feature of this plan being that they

It is peculiarly

center.

to keep horses

all

point to the

adapted to those gentlemen

who wish

and cows, and be able to feed them without too

much labor or time and exposure

You can have a hired man or
sometimes desirable.

This plan,

to dirt.
not, as
if

you choose, which

is

may

not adopted by others,

serve a good purpose as a suggester.

V.-A CIRCULAE BARN.

The

barn, plans of which are herewith presented,

was

built

by the Shakers of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and is certainly worthy of the attention of farmers contemplating the
Figr. 99.

First Flook I'lan.

A., doors;* B., stairs; D., calf-pens

double doors

T.,

E,.illeys; F., stalls; G., granary

F.

windows.

erection of barns on a large scale.

It is

100

feet diameter, built

a material that very abundant that part of Massachusetts two

high, the
one being only seven
of stone

stories

Aa error

in

is

first

in the plans represents the doors as

ant)

windows, and vice versa.

Bakns, Etc,
a halJ feet between
of cattle, and
circle

two

floors,

13^

and contains stalls for seventy head

These stalls are situated in a

calf-stables.

next the outer wall, with the heads of the animals point-

SEC0^D i'LOOB Plam.

ing inward, looking into an alley in which the feeder passes

around in

fi-ont

The

forming the stable and alley-way

circle

inside of

which

of and looking into the face of every animal.

is

the great bay.

the threshing-floor, which

is

Over the

is

14 feet wide,

stable

and

alley

14 feet wide and about 300

is

feet

may be
be unloaded at the same time into the bay in

long on the outer side, into which a dozen loads of hay

hauled,

and

all

the enter

There should be a large chimney formed of timbers open

in

the center of such a mass of hay, connecting with air-tubes

under the stable

building,

We

floor,

extending out to the outside of the

and with a large ventilator

in the

peak of the roof

recommend an extension of the eaves beyond

the outer wall, by means of brackets, so as to form a shed
over the doors, and the manure thrown out of the stables and
should also

piled against the wall.

The House.

138

VI.A SIDE-HILL BAEN.

"We copy the accompanying plans and the description from
the

American Agriculturist

"lective

view of the barn

is

for

September, 1858, where a per-

also given.

Entering the barn at either end, as shown in the main floor

plan, there is a floor, either 12

or 14 feet wide, as

may

most convenient, which passes through the entire length.

be

On

Fig. 101.

TjHDKEaKOITND PlAJI.

hay or grain in the sheaf. OppoNext to that a passage of five feet

Avide, to carry out straw or hay to throw down below into the
Next to the passage is a granary, and adjoining it a
yard.
one side

is

a large bay for

site, in part, is

another bay.

tool-house, or area for threshing machines, straw-cutters, etc.,

with a partition off from the

feet

above the

floor,

floor,

on each

side,

or not, at pleasure.

should be a line of

Nine
girts,

Barns, Etc,
connecting the inner posts, on which

139
may

be thrown loose

poles to hold a temporary scaffold for the storage of hay, or

grain in the sheaf,

barn can be

when

filled to

required.

above will carry out

all

may

such arrangement the

the heated air and moisture given off

from the forage stored within.

tilators,

By

the peak or ridge-pole, and the ventilator

Slatted windows, or side ven-

be put in the side next to the yard,

if requii-ed.

The roof has a " third" pitch, or one foot rise to two feet in
width, which lasts longer and gives more storage than a flatter one.

The frame of the barn above is 60 by 50 feet, with posts set

upon stones below, to support the overshot sill, as shown in
Fig. 102.

Main Floor Plan.

the ground plan.

Underneath are four

lines of stalls,

two on

each side of the center passage-way, heading each other, with

a four-foot feeding alley between them, receiving the forage

it is thrown into the mangers, two

from above, from which

and a half

The

feet wide, to

stalls are double,

each.

They

which the

cattle are tied or chained.

allowing two animals,

if

neat stock, in

are tied at the sides next the partitions, to prevent

The House.

140

Ou

injury to each other.

windows

the hill-side are three

in

the upper part of the wall, to admit light and ventilation,

either glazed or grated, as

The advantages

we

but not,

necessary.

and their coolness

stables in winter
roots, if required

may be

much

in

it

is

room under the same

additional

essential to the comfort

barn that

side-hill

water

falling

think, at diminished expense

pactness of storage than in one on the

But

warmth of
summer storage

of a side-hill barn are, the

may

it

roof,

and greater com-

common

plan.

and convenience of the

be well embanked with

freely pass

its

for

away from

eartli,

the walls

so that the
;

and that

Without these pre-

the stables and yards be well drained.

cautions, such barns are little better than nuisances, the rains

and melting snows flooding everything beneath the

and in the yards and sheds below.
There should be a

flight of stairs (not

building,

represented in the

plan) from the underground floor to that above.

Shelter Cheaper than Fodder.

An

improvement on our

present practice of shelter, and care of our animals, would be an

equivalent to an actual shortening of winter.

It

can hardly be

questioned that exposure of cattle to extreme cold injures their

and thus interferes with the owner's

health,

physiology teaches us that warmth

is

profit.

portion of food, and that an animal exposed to

more

eat more, and one better housed

and warmer kept

To keep an animal comfortable,

therefore,

this alone is a sufficient

the

full

extent.*

more

food,

to save food; and

Maine Agricultural Report.

and should be allowed

in

its

own

particular stall in the

no other.

on good authority, tliat exposed animals will consume

and come out in the spring in worse condition.

It is asserted,

third

is

cold will

will eat less.

inducement to provide that comfort to

Every animal should have

stable,

Chemical

e(iuivalent to a certain

Barns, Etc,

141

VII.-STABLES,

The

subject of stables

accouiiuodations, etc.

ably be devoted

their

is

construction, arrangement of

one to which a vohinie miglit

but our present object

Fig. 103.

is

profit-*

merely to furnish a
Fig. 104.

Plajt.

few designs adapted to execution in connection with country

houses and

villas,

and

to

show how they may be planned,

Fig. 105.

CARRIAGE
21

Plan.

X 24

RM.

as

T H K House.

142
in tig.

103, for one horse

horse and

two

an elevation

vehicles

(fig.

and carriage;

or, as in fig.

106), for

two

liorses

Fig. 106.

in fig.

105, with

and three

104, for one

which we give
vehicles.

Bakns, Etc,

143

VIII.-AN OCTAGON POULTKY HOUSE.

This design
ion."

It

is

selected

from Benient's " Poulterer's Compan-

has been executed,

Staten Island.
half high.

we

It is ten feet in

The

sills

believe, near Factoryville,

diameter and six feet and a

are 4 by 4, and the plates 3 by 4 joists,

halved and nailed at the joints.

It is sided

bers are used.

The

floor

with inch and a

No

quarter spruce plank, tongued and grooved.

upright tim-

and roofing are of the same kind of

Fig. inr.

Perspective View

plank.

To

guai'd against leakage

by shrinking, the joints m&y

be battened with lath or strips of thin boards.

frame supports the top of the

ten inches in diameter, on which
for a ventilator,

rafters,
is

An

eight-square

leaving an opening of

placed an octagon chimney

which makes a very pretty

finisli.

The

piers

should be either cedar, chestnut, or locust, two feet high, and

set

on

flat stones.

The House.

144
The
ticed

letter

window

designates the door

to

admit

W, W, windows

with a sliutter to exclude

air,

necessary

Fiff. ins.

L, lat-

when

it,

E, entrance for the

fowls, Avith a sliding door; P,

platform

for

fowls

the

on when going

alight

in

to

R, R,

roosts placed spirally, one end

attached to a post near the

center of the room, and the

other end to the wall

from the

feet

others

and the

floor,

18 inches

the

two

or lowermost one,

first,

and

apart,

rising gradually to the top, six

Plan.
roosts will

hoard

floor,

from

feet

tlie

accommodate 40 ordinary-sized

These

floor.

fowls.

F, F,

is

on an angle of about 45 degrees, to catch and carry

down the droppings of the fowls. This arrangement renders it

much more convenient in cleaning out the manure, which
should be frequently done.

The space beneath

this floor is appropriated to nests, 12 in

number, 15 inches wide, 18 inches deep, and 18 inches

In order to give an appearance of secrecy, which

known

the hen

of lath.

By

is

this

so partial to, the front

is

much

higli.

is

well

latticed with strips

arrangement a free circulation of

mitted, which adds

it

to the comfort of the

air is ad-

hens while

sitting.

The

object of placing

encroachments of

rats,

tliis

house on

mice, skunks,

piles is to

etc.,

as rats are very annoying, especially

and

is

prevent the

a good method,

where they have a good

harbor under the house, often destroying the eggs and killing
the young chickens.

Two
hill

Erkoks.

It is

an error to build a house upon a

with an "underground kitchen;" but

to build a barn without such a

it is

side-

a greater error

room upon the down-hill

side.

Barns, Etc.
and

if possible

145

having a southern exposure.

In this room

all

the horned cattle should be stabled, having a yard to themselves entirely separate

from any other stock.

should always be on the ground

floor,

The horse

stable

with an entrance from a

separate yard.

IX.-AN OCTAGON PIGQEET.

The accompanying design shows the plan of an economically

constructed and convenient piggery. It may, of course, be
enlarged to any desired extent without any change of form or
Fig. 109.

PLAIf.

The

arrangement.
poultry -house

(fig.

elevation
107),

furnish a good upper

may

be similar to that of the

and should have

room

sufficient height to

for storing corn, etc., for the swine.

X.-AN ASHEET AND SMOKE-HOUSE.

An

ashery and smoke-house combined

built as represented in

our design.

The

may be

economically

first story,

or ash-pit,

should be built of stone or hard brick, and be provided with

an iron door.

The

eight feet in height.

walls need not be

The

more than from

ceiling should be lathed

six to

and plastered.

Tjik

146
Tlie

smoke

in the rear

lioiise

story above

may be

on a level with the ground.

duced through the

below, where the
all

House,

danger from

floor,

Four

It is

entered

tin tubes, intro-

admit the smol<e from the ash -room

fire is kindled.

fire,

of wood.

This arrangement precludes

secures the meat against being overheated

Fig. 110.

An

Asiikuy a.nd Smokk-IIoitsk.

smoking, and gives a clean and convenient smoke-room.

may be ventilated either through the gable or the roof.
In

side-hill situation is

construction.

Both

.'i

by no means

stories

essential in this

may be above

mode

It.

of

ground, the .smoke-

house door being reached by outside stairs or a step-ladder.

Etc.

I'.AKNS,

147

XI. AN ICE-nOUSE.

The

fiist

grand essential in the construction of an ice-hoiise

perfect inclosure of the space to be occupied by the ieo

wilh walls and floors wliich shall prove non-conductors of

is tlie

Fig. 111.

A
neat.

age.

ClROULAK ICE-IIOUSE 1'kRSPECTIVE ViS^.

The second important point

is

These conditions attained, the

to secure perfect drain

rest

is

comparatively un-

important.

A common
ice-house

is

and

The frame or

effective

entire'.'y

thus described

mode

of constructing an

sides sliould be

formed of two ranges of

up-

The House.

148
right joists about six
in

by four inches; the lower ends to bo pat

the ground without any

the upper to be morticed into

sill;

the timbers which are to support the upper floor.

in the

The joists
two ranges should be each opposite another. They

*?**

should then be lined or faced with rough

**?*.

Muf

boarding, which need not be very tight.

These boards should be nailed to those

edges of the joists nearest each other, so

IE

that one range of joists shall

tlie

room, as shown in

be outside

building and the other inside the icefig.

Cut out or

112.

leave out a space for a door of suitable

dimensions

on

north or "west

the

higher than the ice

up the inner

v/ill

side,

come, and board

side of this opening so as to

form a door-casing on each

side.

Two

doors should be attached to this opening

one

on the inner side and one on the

-J outward, both

opening

outward.

The

space between these partitions should be

filled

with charcoal-dust, tan, or saw-dust,

whichever can be the most readily obtained.

The bottom of the ice vault should be filled about a foot
deep with small blocks of wood or round stones

these are

and covered with wood-shavings, over which a plank

floor to receive the ice should be laid
some spread straw a
foot thick over the floor, and lay the ice on that.
A floor
leveled

should also be laid on the beams above the vault, on which

place several inches of tan or saw-dust.
perfectly tight,

and

it is

The roof should be

usually best to give

it

a considerable

The space between the roof and the flooring beneath

should be ventilated by means of a door or lattice window in
each gable. The drain can be constructed in accordance with
pitch.

the situation, the only things requiring attention being to have

it

carry

oft' all

the water settling at the bottom, and not be so

open as to allow the passage of

air into the vault.

Barns, Etc.
Fig. 113 represents a section of such
a perspective

on the same

149

an ice-house.

view of a circular ice-house, which

may

It

principle.

is

We

give

constructed

advantageously be executed in

Fi2. 118.

Ventilation

concrete.
In the

peak of the

is

roof,

secured by leaving a small aperture

protected by a hood or cap, as shown.

Should an underground house be preferred, the plan of building can be the same

or a less expensive

method may be used.

having a northern exposure affords a desirable

In such case one end of the house is usually above

side-hill

location.

ground.

The boards can be

the space or air-chamber

of the cheapest description, and

filled

in

forming the support to the whole.

with straw

No

the ground

less attention

shunld

and when

in use,

be paid to draining than in the other case

the space between the ice and the peak of the roof should be
filled

with straw.

The House.

160

XII.-AK APIAET.
Fig. 114 represents a design for a rustic apiary or bee-liouse,

which

strikes us as being far

more

beautiful

and appropriate

elaborately ornamented temple or palace-like struc-

than

tlie

tures

we sometimes

'^

see

he

mode

of

its

construction

is

readilv

size

on the

Fig. 114.

^^^'

Perspective Yiaw.

may, of course, be made of any desirable

seen.

It

same

plan.

[For directions

hives, the best site for

ing, see "

or,

an

in reference to

jipiary,

the construction of

and instructions

in bee-keep-

The Barn-Yard."*]

The Barn-Yard: a Manual of

How to Breed, Rear, and Use all

Morse, Cattle, and

the

Sheep

Common Domestic

Husbandry;

Em-

Animals.

bracing Descriptions of the various Bree'ls of Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Swine,

Judge Animals;
Feeding and General Management of Stock How to Improve Breeds How
to Cure Sicli Animals, etc.
With a Chapter on Bees. Handsomely illustrated.
Now published with Garden and Farm. .|1.T5.
Poultry, etc.; the "Points" or Characteristics by which to
;

How many

expensive, not to say

fatal, errors in

the buying, selling, breed-

and management of farm-stoelc m ght be avoided by means of the practieal information and plain commoti-sensc advice condensed into this comprehensive and tliorougli little Hand b ok

lug,

BAKNs

Etc.

151

XIII.-A PLAY-HOUSE.
Build your children a play-house of some sort.
affair will ple^ise

them.

Ijut

very rude

something similar to the accompana.

Fisr.

Perspective View.

nying design will please you

feature in your grounds.

verv

effect is

and be a highly ornamental

too,

The construction

Materials foe Rustic Steuctures.

in constructing rustic

materials.

is

simple, but the

fine.

work, the

All such objects as

may

In

thing

first

order to succeed
is

to procure the

be exposed to the weather

should be of the most durable wood, of which red cedar

For certain purposes, white oak

essential to
at a

will

have the bark remain

answer

on, the

long as

when

will last

cut

If cut

about twice as

A horse-load

or two
which a goodly portion may

cut in winter or spring.

of boughs or branches of trees, of

it is

wood should be

time of year when this will not peel or separate.

toward the close of summer, the wood

best.

is

well, but as

be curved and twisted, from one to six inches in diameter,

will

constitute

Thomas.

the materials for a good beginning.

J.

J.

The House.

152

XrV. A RUSTIC GARDEN HOUSE.

rustic structure, like the

one here represented, when cov-

ered with vines and climbing shrubs, forms one of the most
Fig. 116.

Perspectivb Yrxw.

and appropriate objects that a lawn or flower garden

can boast. Furnished with rustic seats, it becomes an attractbeautiful

ive

summer

resort in

which

to

work

or read.

Ghubcu and School-House.

153

IX.

THE CHURCH AND THE SCIIOOL-linUSE.

Ou

other shores, above their molderliig towns,

pnmp the tall cathedral frownsPride In its aisles and paupers at tlie door,
Wliich feeds the bessars which It fleeced of
In sullen

yore.

Simple and frail, oui Inwly temples throw

Their slender shadows on the paths below.
~flc()n<.
In a green lane that fiom the village street
DivergeB, stands the school-house. S/rfc(

LA VILLAGE CHURCH.

HE

accompanying designs

(figs.

117, 118, 119) represent a coun-

try church, and, as has been

or less the case with

signs, are

easy

all

more

our de-

intended to show Jjow

without costly materiand without expensive details, but with due regard to proit

is,

als,

portion,

symmetry, and harmony

of style, to produce a structure

at

once

pleasing,

adapted to

its

chaste,

purposes.

and

The

of brick work and the

wooden boxes which so often
pass for churches among us, but
piles

are, to

to

say the

witness,

frequency with which the

first

least,

our cultivated

a reproach

society,

bear

on every hand, to the

principles of architecture are

Church axd School-House.

sinned against througli ignorance.

hope to aid

in dissipating, botli

The height of

It is tliis

55

ignorance that

we

by precept and example.

tliis

Fig. 118.

church from the floor to

the eaves is 17 feet, and

the whole height of the

ceiling about 22 feet.
is

It

planned for a gallery

across the front merely.

It will seat

400 people.

The same ground plan

may

of course be so ex-

ecnted as to give considerably greater

accommo-

By making the

dations.

higher,

eeiliug

fur

stance, side galleries

be introduced.
quired,

in-

may

If re-

lectnre-rooin

and Sunday-sclioolroom

may
rear

be added on the
but

tion

be

if

tlie

suitable,

loca-

GsonND Floor Plan.

these

accommodations may be secured

The

at less cost in a basement.

walls are to be built of brick, the exterior projections

being faced with front brick,

Fig. 119.

costing about $10 per thousand.

The window

siUs, caps,

be of cut stone.
cornices,

The

roof,

and cupola are to

be of wood.
is

siLs, doca-

and steps are to

The main

roof

to be covered with slate.

gallery Floor Plan.

and the tower roof and cupola to be tinned. Finished inside

in a liberal manner, the cost is estimated at about $9,800
or
;

finished quite plainly,

it

can be built for

less

than $y,00a

The House.

156
II.A

VILLAGE SCHOOL-HOUSE.

This design represents a single two-story school-house

The

able for a small village or other country place.

first

suit-

and

Becoud stories are almost entirely alike in their arrangements.

Each room
tion

will

accommodate

fifty-two pupils, and has recita-

benches in front of the teacher's desk.

and egress afforded by the broad

halls

and

The easy

stairs

ingress

the large sep-

Fig. 120.

Fkont Elevation.
arate wardrobes for the

two sexes; the convenient

the teacher's desk with

its

are sufficiently apparent

and a room

for apparatus

position of

large wall-space for the blackboard,

upon the plan. A recitatlon-rooni

be added on the rear, if desired,

may

without changing the rest of the plan.

The

walls are of brick, eight inches thick, strengthened by

pilasters

(4X20

inches), Avhich serve

both for use and orna-

Chukch and School-Hous]

ment, as

The

may be

seen by examining the plan and elevations.

inside of the -walls

under the

liall

157

and

is

The

furred off as usual.

clothes-closets, is intended to be

a coal and furnace

cellar.

front part,

dug out

$75 to $100, will heat the whole house, and

is

to be preferred

In addition to the opposite windows, which

to stoves.

tate ventilation

during the

for

portable furnace, costing from

warm

facili-

season, ventilating shafts.

Side Elevation.

terminating in a box on the roof, are indicated in the rear

wall.

The

inside walls are to

have two coats of

be wainscoted up to the windows

all

be covered with slate or shingles, as

bell cupola, very appropriately a

plaster,

and

The roof may

most convenient. Tho

around.

prominent ornamental and

may be constructed of
may be had from the second-

useful feature in school architecture,

wood, as shown.
floor hall,

Access to

by means of a

it

step-ladder.

The school-room

fur-

niture consists of c^ouble desks, about three and a half feet

long,

with

stools.

The

158

All Hchool-liouses should,

materials
outlast
for

brick

all

or stone

Hours
if

possible, be constructed of solid

in

so substantial a

manner

as to

the otlier buildings in the town or village, and serve

the accommodation of

many

jrenerations of children,

whose

FiR. 122.

Plan.

prominent destructiveness they are better calculated to

resist

than any wooden building can be.

The estimated

cost of this school-house

is

within $1,700.

APPENDIX.
A.

now TO BUILD WITH ROUGH

STONE.

make it most
worked. Select such pieces as, from their length and even quality,
seem adapted for sills and linlels, and use the remainder just in tlie shape it
naturally comes upon your jiround from the quarry. In bulldins; jour walls,
Lkt

tlie

(juarryineti split

it

off just as the veins of the stone

easily

lay the stone in

Its

exact bed as

It

lay in the quarry,

and here and there

let

long pieces be Introduced, the length of the thickness of your walls; these,
lying across, would serve as bonders to the walls, and will materially sirengtheu
the work.

wall built in this manner, in irregular courses, looks remarkably

method in which the time-honored

than which more simply beautiful
more durable erections can not be found. Gekvase Wheeler.

well for country biiililings, and

rural churches of
or

it

is

England have been

the

built,

HOLLOW EEICK WALLS.

Fig. 123.

SlMPI.K

Mom;

OF BuiI.IMNG A HiiLT.OW WaLL.

Eig. 123 shows a very simple and cheap mi'de of

buiMing a hollow wall

twelve inches wide, which answers very well for low additions, or walls inweight.

An

would make a good sixteen-inch

wall.

tended to bear but

that

is,

the brick

r/

little

is

addition of another brick to the outside

The

tie-bricks alternate in the courses;

covered in the next course with the brick h (shown by

the dotted lines); c by d, and so on through the whole. Lowmn<i.

Appendix.

160

UNBUENT BRICK FOR BUILDING.

The

following particulars are compiled from the Report

worth while Commissioner of Patents

made by Mr.

Ell8

Almost every kind of clay will answer it is tampered by treading it with

and cut straw is added, at the rate of two bundles of straw to clay
enough for one hundred bricks. It is then ready for molding. It is found
that the most economical size for the bricks for building such cottages is the
following, viz., one foot long, six inches wide, and four inches thick.
;

cattle,

The

must be formed of stone or burnt brick.

dampness should be prevented from rising from the soil
the unburnt wall by laying one course of slate, or of brick, laid in cement
cellar or foundation

In (lamp
into

soils,

the

or hydraulic mortar, at the top of the foundation.

The

walls of the cottage are laid up one foot in thickness of the imburnt

This thickness is exactly the length of the brick, or the width of two
and the strongest wall is made by laying the work with alternate
courses of leaders and stretc/iers (i. e., one course with the bricks laid across

brick.

bricks,

the wall, the next course side by side).

A weak

morlar of lime and sand

generally used for lajing the bricks, but a good brick mortar

is

preferable.

is

Where

lime is scarce, a mortar composed of three parts clay, one part sand, and
two parts wood-ashes, answers very well as a substitute for lime morlar. The
division walls

may

be six inches thick, just the width of the brick

the cottage has rooms wider than twelve fee',

partitions
sert,

two bricks

the cottage

is

it

is

better to

make

but

when

(he first-story

The doors and windiw-frames being ready to inbuilt.

These frames are made of stiiut plank,

thick.

very rapidly

of the exact thicktiess of the walls, so that the cas:ng inside and outside helps
to strengthen the wall

and covers the

joints.

If lintels

and

sills

of stone are

not to be had, pieces of timber three inches thick, of the same width as the
wall,

and a

The

roof

foot longer

may be

on each side than the opening, may be used instead.

and it is indispensable in a cottage
sh(juld project two feet all around, so as completely Ic

of shingles or thatch,

of unburnt clay that

it

guard the walls from vertical

rains.

good lime mortar mixed with

hair,

dashed, as in roui/h-cast walls.

The

washed

in the

The outnide

of the wall

is

and then with a second

inside of the wall

is

plastered with
coat, i)ebble-

plastered and white-

common way.

Built in the simple

way

of the prairies, these cottages are erected for an in-

credibly small sum, costing

no more than log houses, while they are

far

more

durable and agreeable in appearance.

But we have also seen highly ornamental cottages built of this material, tlio
made entirely by the hands of the owner or occupant, and the whole;
erected at a cost of not more than une half of that paid for the same cottagp

bricks

built in

an equally comfortable manner of wood or brick.

rough-cast on the exterior, Ihis

same

effect as

mode

an ordinary stuccoed house, while

any other cheap mat4.'.rial is.

costly in repairs thail

When

jdastered or

of construction presents to the eye the

it is

warmer and

far less

Appendix.

161

D.
DE.
While

BUCHANAN ON CELLARS

would condemn

cellars

and basements

of building in their absence must be condemned

common

plan

The house being

built

entirely, the

also.

above the surlace of the earih, a space is left between the lower floor and the
is even closer and darker than a cellar, and which becomes,
on
a smaller scale, the source of noxious emanations. Umler-floor space should
be abolished as well as cellars and basements. The plan that I have adopted
ground, which

with the most satisfactory success, to avoid all tlie.e evils, is the following:
Let the house be bnilt entirely above the ground ; let the lower floor be built
upon the surface of the earth, at least as high as the surrounding soil. If filled

np with any clean material a few inches above the surrounding

be better.

proper foundation being prepared,

make your

earlh,

it

would
by a

first floor

pavement of brick, laid in hydraulic cement upon the surface of the ground.
Let the same be extended into your walls, so as to cut ofl" the walls of
your
house with water-proof cement from all communication with the moisture of
the surrounding earth. Upon this foundation build according to
your fancy.

Tour lower floor will be perfectly dry impenetrable to moisture and to vermin not a single animal can get a lodgment in your lower story. By adopt;

ing this plan, your house will be dry and cleanly; the atmosphere of
your
ground-floor will be fresh and pure ; you will be entirely relieved from that
steady drain upon

life which is produced by basements and cellars; and

if
you appropriate the ground-floor to purposes of store-rooms, kitchens, etc., you
will fin<l that the dry apartments thus constructed are infinitely superior
to the
old basements and cellars. And if you place your sitting and sleeping
rooms
on the second and third floors, you will he as thoroughly exempt from local

miasma

as architecture can

make you.-Dn. Buchanan.

E.

KECIPES FOR PAINTS, WASHES, STUCCO, ETC.

1.

Paints for

OuMde

iirable colors are

1.

HorX-. The following recipes for mixing several de>

for the People:"

from Wheeler's " Homes

cool gray, similar to

a few years,

may

what would be the

tint of

nnpainted timber after

be obtained as follows

Indian red, half a pound;

Lampblack, three ounces;
Eaw umber, half a pound
White lead, one hundred pounds.
This color will be changed by the addition of sand, which in all cases is
recommended, in a proportion of about one quart to every one hundred pounds
of mixed color. The finest and whitest sand that the neighborhood affords
should be used, and as its hue differs, so will the tint of the paint be change.^

Appendix.

162
Tills coior,

with one th rd

less white, is

Unreflecting gray tint of great softness

2.

pleas-int tint,

soft,

very suitable

for roofs,

and

that of coffee greatly diluted with milk,

lilce

is

a cool.

and beauty.
is

often-

times well adapted to a building, particularly in regions where red sandstoTie

or other similar objects, with

such local coloring, give

a.

brown hue

to portions

of the landscape.
It

may

be mixed as follows:

Yellow ochre, fi\e pounds;

Burnt umber, half a pound
Indian red, quarter of a pound;
Chrome yellow, No. 1, half a pound, with one hundred pounds of
;

white lead.

The

key-notes in this color are the Indian red and

may

the tone

may

taste
3.

be heightened or lowered by more or

the;

chrome yellow, and

less of either, as individual

prefer.

still

more

delicate tint, resembling the pure color of the

many beaks

well adapted for a large building with

Caen

of outlines,

stone,

and

may be mixed

thug:

Yellow ochre, two pounds

Vandyke brown, quarter

of a

pound

Indian red, quarter of a pound.

Chrome yellow. No.

The

1,

half a

pound

to

every one hundred pounds of lead.

is recommended by
more durable than common

following cheap and excellent paint for cottages

Downing.
paint.

It

It will

houses of

all

forms a hard surface, and

be found preferable

to

is far

common

paint for picturesque country

kinds.

Take freshly-burned unslaked lime and reduce it to powder. To one peck

add the same quantity of fine white sand or flue coal ashes,
and twice as much fresh wood ashes, all these being sift'-d through a fine sieve.
They should then be thoroughly mixed together while dry. Afterward mix
them with as much common linseed oil as will make the whole thin enough to
work freely with a painter's brush.
or one bushel ot this

make

This will

To make

a paint of a light gray stone color, nearly white.

fawn or drab, add yellow ochre and Indian red if drab is deif dark stone color, add
sired, add burnt umber, Indian red, and a little black
lampblack or if brown stone, then add Spanish brown. All these colors
should of course be first mixed in oil and then added.
it

This paint

is

very

much cheaper

suited to

wood, brick, or

thin, the

second thick.

stone.

than

common

oil paint.

It is better to apjily it in

It is

equally wel.

two coats; the

first

A Cheap Wash. For the outside of wooden cottages, barns, out-buildwhere economy must be consulted, the following wash is
e'Onimended:
Take a clean barrel that will hold water. Put into it half a bushel of quicK2.

Ings, fences, etc.,

Appendix.

16.3

lime, and slake it by pouring over it boiling water sufficient to cover it four or
Ave iuches deep, and stirring it until slaked. When quite slaked dissolve it
ill water, and add two pounds of sulpliate of zinc and one of common salt,
which may be had at any of tlie druggists, and which in a few days will cause
the whitewash to harden on Ihe woodwork. Add sufficient water to bring it

to the consistency of thick

To make

the above

whitewash.

wash of a pleasant cream

add three pounds of

color,

jellow ochre.

For fawn color, add four pounds of umber, one pound of Indian red, and
one pound of lampblack.
Tor gray or stone

color,

add four pounds of raw umber and two pounds of

lampblack.

The color maybe put on with a common whitewash brush, and

much more duraide than common wnitewash. IhirUoUtai-Lst.
For a wash

found

for l>arns the //urtictMurist also gives this

Hydraulic cement, one peck

(m powder),

will be

freshly slaked lime, one

four pounds; burnt umber, four

pounds

peck

yellow ochre

the whole to be "dis-

solved" in hot water, and applied with a brush.

3. Stiihiir.g

Woo / ICoH". One of the simplest and best modes of

wood is thi; lollowing as given by Dowuing:
wood by washing it with a solution of sulphuric aold,

Interior

staining (line or other soft

First prepare the

made by mixing
of warm water.
washing

it

in the proportion of

it

It

should be mixed

evenly over every part

to

one ounce of sulphuric acid

be

it

lightly with tobacco stain,

using a piece of flannel or sponsje for this purpo.-e.

this

way

the natur

the coat

When

alloing

the stained

it

coating

it

may be heightwood, by repealing

the effect of certain p.irts

in mottling or sbghtly graining the

little skill

and

Uy merely

grain of the wood will assume a dark tone, so

as to resemble black walnut or oak

ened by a

a pint

.-tained.

Second, stain the wood so prepared by rubbing

evenly in

to

when wanted and put on while warm,

to settle in places.

wood

is entirely dry, lirush it over, in order to preserve it,

with the following mixture: half a pound of beeswax, half a pint of linseed

and oil'- pint of boiUd linseed nil.

may, if des'.red, afterward be varnished and polished. To make the above
tcacco >taiii, tmke six pounds of common shag or "negro head" tobacco; boil
it in as many quarts of water as will cover ihe tobacco, letting it simmer away
slowly till it is of the consisteuce of syrup. Strain it, and it is ready for use.
AVe may add, that when it is desired to give the wood the tone of light oak or
maple, the solution of sulphuric acid should be much weaker, and only a light
coat of the stain should be used. Where a dark tone is preferred, two coats
oil,

It

of the stain should be put on.

4.

Stucco

and Stuccoing. Take stone lime fresh from the kiln and of
is known to make a strong and durable mortar (like

lent qualiti/, such as

Thomaston lim

).

Slake

it

by sprinkling or pouring over

it

the
th

just water enoU{iJ>

Appendix.

164

fine dry poioder^amX not a pasU.

an inclined plane, and throw this powder
against it. What passes through is fit for use. That which remains behind
contains the eo/v, which would spoil the stucco, and must be rejected.
Having obtained the sharpest sand to be had, and having washed it, so that
to

leave

Set

it

-when slaked in the condition of a

quarter-inoli wire screen at

up a

not a particle of the

mud and

remains, and screened

it

(which destroy the tenacity of most stuccoes)

dirt

to give

some uniformity

limo in ])owder, in the proportion o( two parts

to the size,

>i<ind to

mix

with the

it

one part lime.

This

More lime would make a stronger

the best proportion for lime stucco.

is

stucco,

means so hard and hardness and tenacity are both needed.

The mortar must now be made by adding water, and working it thoroughly.

but one by no

On the temperinf) of the mortar greatly depends its tenaci'y.

The wall to be stuccoed should be first prepared by clearing off all
mortar,

etc.,

with a

stiff

Then apply

broom.

loose dirt,

the mortar in two coats

the

fir.-t

a rough coat, to cover the inequalities of the wall, the second as a finishiog coat.
The latter, however, should be put on lefore the former is dry, and as soon,
indeed, as the

be well

coat

is

sufliciently firm to receive it; the

and marked

off;

wash should be applied, so as

color, the

6.

first

floated, troweled,

and

to set

if it is to

in water-

with the stucco. Downing.

Rough- Cftxt. The mode of putting on rough-cast

The

whole should then

be colored

is

as follows:

surface of the wall being brushed off clean, lay on a coat of good lime

on another coat as evenly and

as two or three years of the
second coat are finished, have ready a pail of roiiffh-cast, and splash or throw it
on the wall. This is usually done by another workman, who holds the trowel
with which he throws on the rough-cast in one hand, and a whitewash brush

and hair mortar. Allow

this to dry,

smoothly as possible without

dipped constantly

whole

is

and then

floating.

lay

As soon

in the pail in the other,

which follows the trowel

until the

smooth and evenly colored.

made

washed clean, screened, and

and water, till the whole is
A little yellow ochre mixed in the rough-cast gives the
in a semi-fluid state.
whole a slightly fawn-colored shade, more agreeable to the eye than white-

The

mixed

rough-cast

itself is

in a large tub with pure,

of sharp sand,

newly

t'laked lime

Down inc..

KOOFINO.
The following
cal builder,

brief essay on roofing has been kindly furnished by a practi-

Mr. Richardson,

who has had

extensive cxperiet'ce in this Sfiecial

department, in various parts of the United S ates. His hints are valuable.
The most important pojnt to be observed in order to have a tight roof is,
use well-seasoned sheathin .
ter.

Have it

if it is

adas,

well nailed.

a steep roof.

it is

The

If

it is

tongued and grooved, so much the

best material to cover your roof with

to

bet-

is s'ate,

In the northern section of the United States and the Can-

well to put a layer of

felt

on the sheathing before

slating, as

it

wiU

A
prevent the snow

I'l'KNDT X.

and

in wiiilor

1G5

rain in suinnipr iroin driving

Ih.'

under the

slates.
In the Middle States ineljiliic roofing stands well but in the extreme
South ami North the expansion and contraction are so great, that it is almost
impossible to have a tight roof, and it is only by giving thetn a coat of paint
every other year tliat they answer at all. Copper, zino. galvanized iron, and
;

tin

are the metals required for roofing purposes.

and has generally proved

ings,

clude

its

less.

One

of the

among private buildings, as slate is

many improvements in the construction of

is

the iidaptation of ihe

The many advantages

Instead of the

nothing of

its

better

and

costs

buildings, at the

roof in place of the old-fashioned jiitch

flat

gaiiied in the

number

of better ventilated rooms,

hot chambers of the old style, are so obvious, that no

little,

other argument would seem

to say

of the government build-

great cost will, however, ex-

Its

extensive use

present day,
roof

satisfactory.

Within a year or two, corru-

many

gated galvanized iron has been introduced on

to

be necessary

to insure its universal

great advantage in case of

fire in

adaptation,

the immediate neighbor-

its use in a crowded city.

Perhaps one word in regard to the many different "patent roofing" materials
now before the public may be of service. We have paid some atleniion to the
merit claimed for each, and can safely recommend one, and that is "Warren's
Improved Fire and Water-Proof Hoofing." This article has stood the test of

hood, or

and

time,

is

considered by

ings covered with

many

of the best architects

than any metal.

article for flat roofing

same

roofing at the

tliis

All insurance

and builders a

beiter

companies insure build-

rate as slate.

We

have recently had an opportunity to examine some extensive warehouses

in New Orleans, which have been covered with the roofing some five years,
and it is appar. ntly as good as the day it was put on. The fact that it ha-^ been
extensively used in the North and the Canadas, for many years, adds greatly
to

our confidence in

its

intrinsic value.

Eecollect this fact

a tight roof, no matter what you cover

it

you can never have

with, unless you use well-seasoned

sheathing boards, and have ihem well nailed.

G.

now

TO BUILD CONCRETE HOUSES.

The following excellent pr ictical directions are from the pen of Mr. D. Redmond, of Georgia, eilitor of the Soutliefn Caltivdior and appeared originally
\xil

Life Illunirdted
1.

Location, e^'.- Select,

rials,

if

first

warm days

2. Jfdttritils.

or middle of

of

summer for

lime used by us

May,

in order that

successfully carrying

and small rork, and wdter.

stone that will slack readily, and

The

large

The

etc.,

you may av.ail yourself

on your operations.
The proper materiulx are lune, aaiul, coarse and fine grit> /,

possible, say by the

of the long,

and get all heavy mate

on the spot as early in the season as

possible, a dry situation,

such as rock, sand, lime, gravel,

is

'

lime

may

be from any good, pure lime-

ntV or harden thoroughly when dry

of a peculiar quality,

tnown

;*

lliu

lure as "hydraulic

Appendix.

\C>n

be sliarp, and as free from clay, loam, and other earthy matter &f
and Ihe gravel and rock may be of any size, from that of a boy'g
up to eighteen inches or two feet square, according to the thickness of

r.mfl should

jxissible;
rniixble

your walls.

Having fixed on your plan, lay off ihe foinuJot on, and dig
two feet wide and two feet deep, the area or full size of your outer
wall. With a heavy piece of hr.rd wood, squared or rounded at the lower end,
pound or ram down the earth in the bottom (if this trench, going over it refoimddfion.

3.

a trench

ppat<>dly, until

two inches

it is

solid

tliick, sjjread

and compact.

layer of hydraulic

cement moriar

evenly over the bottom, of the trenches thus compact-

ii ".sets" or becomes
you intend carrying up inside division walls of concrete, the foundathese should be laid in the same way. Good hydraulic cement will

ed, gives ycnx a solid foundation to start on, as soon as

hard.

If

tion for

take at least three parts of sharp sand

or it will " set" and become useless.

but

it

must be used as soon as mixed,

Frame and oain/. - Cut common 3x4

scantling two feet longer than you

up a double row, with the lower end resting
firmly upon the edge of the hardened cement in the bottom of the trench
range them true and " plumb" them, lettin-; them s'and three or four incties
farther apart than you desire your wall to be in thickness; then nail cleats
across, above and below, to keep them in place, adding also "stays" or
" braces," driven slantingly into the ground and nailed to the scantling at ihe
upper end. Your skeleton or frame-work of scantling being all set up and
" stayed" firm and " plumb," proceed to arrange your " boxing" for holding
the concrete and keepinir the walls in shape. This is done by cutting soun<i
4.

wish your highest story to be;

set

inch or inch-and-a-half plank of ten inches or a foot wide, so as to

the two rows o' scantling and form two

fit

inside of

Movable pieces the

thickness of the wall a're dropped in between, at intervals, to keep the box of
the proper width, and wedges driven in between the boxing and the scantling,
on the outside, prevent spreading by the pressure of the concrete. Wooden
"clamps" to slip down, here and there, over the upper edges of the boxing,
will also

slides

of a box.

be found very serviceable.

Mixing Concrete, Laying up, etc.~lt will be well to have at least four
large mortar beds, one on each side of the hous', made of strong plank, in the
usual way. These should be surrounded by casks of water (oil Cisks cut in
two are excellent piles of rock, sand, gravel, etc. the lime, of course, to be
kept under cover, and used as wanted. SI. ck up your lime until it forms a
thin, smootli, creamy mass, then add four or five parts of clean, siiarp saiid,
stirring and mixing constantly, and using water enough to bring the whole,
5.

whL'ii

thoroughly mingled, to the consistency of a thick batter.

Into this "bat-

mix C'larse and fine gravel (that has previously been screened) until the
mass is thick enough to be lifted on a common shovel. [The proper and
ter"

lime" n/1^ the cement, wid'h is, also, often called "hydraulic." It may be
obtained from the quarry of Rev. C. W. Howard, Kingston, Cass County, Oa.
Kut K'od co;nrn.)n lime will answer. wluTr' the "hydraulic" can not be had.

Appendix.

167

*h.>rough mixing of the sand with the lime, and the gravel with the mortal
unorward, is very important, and should only be intrusted to your most careiul
hands.] Having one or two " beds" full of this mixture, you :ire ready to begin

Wheel

yonr wall.

OW9, letting the

the mortar to the foundation in

common

liands sliovel

the superintendent or "boss"

When

into the

it

common

railroad wheelbar-

bottom of the trenches, while

workman spreads

it

evenly with his trowel

the bottom layer of morlar, tliree inches thick,

is laid in,

wheel large

rock (previously sprinkled with water) to the wall, and press it intt
the soft mortar at every available point, leaving a small space between each
piece of rock, and working the soft mortar against the plank boxing, to pre-

and sma

smooth surface on the wad. When you can press no more rock into
mortar, pour another layer of the latter over and through the rock, then

lerve a
.'he

add a layer of rock, as before, and so on, until your boxing all round is fulL
You have now ten inches or a foot of wall, all around, built and if the lime is
good and the weather dry, it will be hard enough in t enty-four hours to raise
your boxes another tier. This is readily done by knocking out the wedges between the plai-.k and ihe scantling, raising up the plank and sustaining it in
pface by " cleats" nailed on the scantling. In raising the boxing, begin at the
;

point

where you commenced laying up the day

wall will, of course, be the hardest.

at once, or

It is

go entirely round the wall

be completed

at

a lime,

if

advisable

in a day.

but

previoivs, as that portion of the

not necessary to raise all the boxing

if

A foot or a yard

of the wall can

the complete round can be made,

much the better. Planks to cover up with, in case of a sudden shower, or

when a storm is apprehended, should be provided, and placed within reach.

so

General DeUiiU, Floors, Windous, Doors, ffc. We prefer a cement floor

basement, on many accounts; but those who desire a wooden floor
should leave air-holes in the outer walls, under the lower floor, six inches
above the surfece. This may be easily done by inserting wedge-shaped blocks
When jou are ready
or pins through the wall, to he knocked out afterward.
6.

for the

to lay the floors, level

up your

walls,

and run one course of brick

all

the thickness of the wall, for the ends of the fl<ioring-joists to rest

around,

on filling

around these ends with concrete, when they are fixed in their proper places.
The door and window frames should be made of three-inch yellow pine, the
in

may be set up aod built around, like

A piece ot common inch plank,
"cut in" all around them, to prevent the actual contact of the damp morar,
will keep ihem, in a great measure, from warping. Where base-boards are
-eeded, blocks of scanning may be built in flush with the inner surface of the

lull

thickness or width of the walls, and

those in a brick house, as the wall progresses.

wall, at the

proper distances apart.

n.

PRACTICAL HINTS BV A BUILDER.

t.

Th^ Koo/.'No roof should project

Mui-h as you like up to two

feet.

less

than one foot it

may

projoci

Appendix.

168
Too often,

at present, in the

commoner kind

of country houses, the roof-boards

are cut off even with the sides and ends of the house, and the shingles allowed

an inch ! What happens

upon

it

runs over the entire surface of the house, discoloring the paint and washing

it

to project

only ha/f

away.
2. Windows.

All the rain that

There should be a bold projection over each window, instead

of the single inch which the cap, so called,

is

now

generally allowed to extend

beyond the casing. The slight projection furnishes no protection

which is continually washed by the rain, and prematurely decays.

The

falls

casings or dressings of the

should never be

less

windows are generally

than three and a half inches, and

to the eash,

too narrow.

may be wider

if

Let the head or top piece be an inch and a half wider than the sides.
a quarter inches

is

the proper thickness for

and-three-fourth-inch

They should be

outside casings.

six inches wide.

will do)

Reduce one edge

like.

One and

For caps, one-

should be used.

to tiie thickness of

an

Nail the cap upon the edge of the top casing, and against the frame of

inch.

the house, and

8.

all

plank {one-and-a-half-inch

They

ynu

Gutters.

To

frame.

it

will

form a bold and

Let the ends of the

efficient projection.

rafters

come out

flush with the side of the

these and to the plate are nailed the brackets, cut from one-and-a-

which are to support the gutter. The brackets should proand be lined with inch boards for trimming. The outside must
be covered with dressed stuff of the proper style. There must be a frieze or
margin, running the entire length of the house, under the gutter, and also on
It may vary in width, on different houses, from ten to twenty
the gable.
quarter-inch
ject

one

inches.

stuff,

foot,

A. Blauve't.

8PKCIFICATI0NS FOR COTTAGE.

See Figs. 20,21, 22,23.
Size,

Height, etc. For all dimensions and the general arrangement, reference
Cellar to be 5J
is to be had to the plans and elevations (pp. 59-61).
First floor to be 8 feet in
feet high 8 feet below ground and 2i above.

height, clear, and the attic 1\ feet, clear, with 5i- feet breast-work.
Digging.The digging includes the cellar, trenciies for the foundations, and

a water cistern 5 feet in diameter and 5 feet deep.

Btone

Work.Trenches
dows

to

be

filled

with good stone.

Sills for cellar

win-

to be blue stone, 2 x 10 inches.

Bbiok Work. Cellar and foundation walls to be 8 inches thick. The flreplaces and the top of the chimney above the roof to be of hard brick,
Walls of the cistern to be
laid up in good sharp sand and lime mortar.
4 inches thick, laid in cement, the s desand bottom to be well cemented.
Plastering. All rooms, landings, and closets to be lathed, scratch-coated,
browned, and whitewashed.
TiMREP -Sills to be 4 X 9 first tier of beams, 2x9; posts, 4 x 8 all to be (rf
;

Appendix.
Enter-ties, 4 x C

white pine.
studs, braces,

and

spruce plank.

rafters,

3x4;

Beams and

second

all to

rafters to

Ifi9

tier of

beams, 2x8;

be of hemloclc.

filling in,

Cellar beams,

11x4

be 2 feet from centers; studding, 16

inches from centers.

Roops. To be lathed with 1^x2 spruce

strips,

and covered with

2 feet jypress

shingles, laid "i inches to the weathir.

IxcLosi.vG. To be done wlih pine boards f inch thick and about 8 inches
wide, nailed horizontally to studs, with IJ inch lap.

Paktitioks. All partitions

to

be

set

with

2x4 hemlock

strips, 16

inches from

centers.

FuERiNG.- Hemlock furring strips to be used between the beams.

Floors.- These are to be laid with IJ inch mill-worked spruce plank.
Stairs. The stairs are to have li inch pine trees, 1} inch strings, and
risers, with plain, small balusters, and hand-rail of boxwood.
Doors.

The

doors for the

floor to

first

vided with rim locks, except the closet doors, which are

to

have catches.

the usual li inch plank frames, IJ inch sashes with im-

proved c:itches, and to be glazed with plain American

Blinds. All the windows to have plain Venetian blinds
Painting.

inch

be IJ inch shingle-faced panel, and

all to be well hung, and pro-

those of the attic to be IJ inch battened

Windows. To have

glass.

Two coats of white lead or zinc paint to be put on to all the outside,

and inside work generally painted.

General. Inside doors and window casings to be 4i inches wide, with back
moldings to first story. Gutters to be of tin (3^ inch), with proper leaders.
For details of outside cornice, trimmings, porch, etc., consult a
builder or architect.

J.

HOW
The

following

fore the

is

TO BUILD BALLOON FRAMES.

a report of some remarks

Farmers' Club of the American

made by Mr. Solon Robinson

Institute,

and

first

be-

published in the

New York

Tribune of January ISth, 1855:

Mr. Robinson said At our last meeting I made some remarks, wh'ch were
followed by others, upon the subject of "Balloon Frames" of dwellings and
other public buildings, a slight sketch of which I published in The Tril,une,
not deeming it important to enter into the minutiae of hours to make such
:

importance of the subject,

I find that I did not appreciate the

buildings.

have received a score of

the country,

showing

letters

and personal

that a great

many

farmers would like to

build a farm-house for half the present expense.

gence of the Club, while

the roof.

would saw

all

start a balloon

my

timber

know how

to

therefore ask the indul-

from the foundation and finish it to

frame-house, or ordinary frame

for a

outbuilding, of the following dimensions:

Two

two by one.

when

for

inquiries from various parts of

have, however, built them,

inches by eight; two by four;

I

lived on the

Grand

Prairie

Appendix.

170

of Indiana, many miles from saw-mills, nearly all of split and hewed stuff,
making use of rails or round poles, reduced to straight lines an even thickness
on two sides, for studs and rafters. But sawed stuifis much the easiest, tliough
1

in a timber country the other

and

lay

down two

ii

far the cheapest.

First, level

these set the floor-sleepers, on edge, thirly-two inches apart.

each end, and, perhaps, one or two in the middle,

with a

wooden

your foundation,

of your two-by-eight pieces, flatwise, for sidewalls.

pin.

These end-sleepers are the

if

the building

end-sills.

Upon

Fasten one

Now

is

at

large,

lay the floiT,

unless you design to have one that would be likely to be injured by the weather
before you get the roof on.

It is a

great saving, though, of labor, to begin at

and build up. In laying tho floor firs', you have no

studs to cut and flt around, and can let your boards run out over the ends,
just as it happens, and af^rvard saw them off smooth by the sill. Now set up
a corner post, which is nothing but one of tlic two-by-four studs, fastening the
bottom by four nails; make it plumb, and stay it each' way. Set another at
the other corner, and then mark off your door anil window places, and set up
the side studs and put in ihe frames. Fill up with sluds between, sixteen
the bottom of a house

inches apart, supporting the top by a line or strip of board from corner to corner, or stayed studs between.

Now cover that side with rough

sheeting boards,

unless you intend to side-up with clap-boards on the studs, which I never

would do, except

for a small,

the top of your studs; wait

common

till

building.

Make no calculation about

You may use them of

you get up that high.

any length, with broken or stub-shot ends, no matter. "When you have got
In the
this side boarded as high as you can reach, proceed to set up another.
mean time, other workmen can be lathing the first side. When you have got
the sides all up, fix upon the height of your upper floor, and strike a line upon
the studs for the under side of the joist. Cut out a joist four inches wide, halfinch deep, and nail on firmly one of the inch strips. Upon these strips rest the
chamber floor joist. Cut out a joist one inch deep, in the lower eilge, and

and nail each joist to each stu''. Now lay this floor, and
upper story, as you did the lower one splichig on and
lengthening out studs wherever needed, until you get high enough for the
Splice studs or joist by simply butting the ends together, and nailing
plate.
Strike a line and saw off the top of the studs even upon
strips on each side.
That is the
each side not the ends and nail on one of the inch strips.
Cut the ends of the upper joist the bevel of the pitch of f.'.e roof, and
plate.
nail them fast to the plate, placing the end ones inside the studs, which you
lock

it

go on

on the

strip,

to build the

run up promiscuously, to be cut off by the rafter. Now lay the garre;all means before you put on the roof, and you will fli;d that you have
saved fifty per cent, of hard labor. The rafters, if supported so as not to be
over ten feet long, will be strong enough of the two-by-four stuff. Bevel the

win

floor

let

by

ends and nail

fast to the joist.

Then

there

is

no

strain

upon the

sides

by the

weight of the roof, which may be cov. red with shingles or other materials
one of this kind,
the cheapest being composiiion or cement roofs. To make
take soft, spongy, thick paper, and tack it upon the boards in courses like
hingles.

Commence

at the top

with hot tar and saturate the paper, upon

Appendix.
tvlich

Hift

171

it in while hot that is, while tar and

One coat will make a tight roof; two coats will make it
Put up your partitions of stuff one by four, unless where you

evenly fine gravel, pressing

gravel are both hot.

more durable.
want to support the upper joist then use stuff two by four, with strips nailed
on top, for the joist to rest upon, fastening altogether by nails, wherever timbers touch. Thus you will have a frame without a tenon, or mortice, or brace,
and yet it is far cheaper, and incalculably stronger when finished, than
though it was composed of timbers ten inches square, with a thousand auger
holes and a hundred days' work with the chisel and adze, making holes and

pins to

To

flu thera.

lay out

and frame a building so

that all its parts will

come

together, re-

quires the skill of a master mechanic, and a host of men, and a deal of hard

work

to

lift

To erect a

the great sticks of timber into position.

requires about as

much mechanical

who is handy with

boys or a common laborer
farmer

skill as

it

does

to build a

balloon-building

board fence.

Any

and hammer, with one of his

him, can go to work and put up a frame for

the saw, iron square,

to assist

an outbuilding, and finish it off with his own labor, just as well as to hire a carpenter to score and hew great oak sticks, and fill them full of mortices, all by
the science of the " square rule."

It is a

our aid to put a stop

it

place with

new

dered at the

to.

Besides,

will

waste of labor that

enable

many

we should

a farmer

to

all

lend

improve

his

buildings, whw, though he has long needed them, has shud-

down

and
home, and paying for what I do
know is the wholly useless labor of framing. If it had not been for the knowledge of balloon-frames, Chicago and San Francisco could never have arisen,
as they did, from little villages to great cities in a single year. It is not alone
city buildings, which are supported by one another, that may be thus erected,
but those upon the open prairie, where the wind has a sweep from Mackinaw
to the Mississippi, for there they are built, and stand as firm as any of the old
frames of New England, with posts and beams sixteen inches square. These
remarks were confirmed by the testimony of other members present, who testified to having adopted the mode of framing referred to with entire success.
tliouglit of cutting

then giving half a year's work

to

half of the best trees in his wood-lot,

hauling

it

K.
CISTERNS.
On this important

subject vre can not do better than copy the following article

from the " Annual Register of Rural Affairs," for 1855

"The great value of an abundant supply of water to houses and barns, and
which may be easily had by providing capacious cisterns, renders it important that the cheapest, best, and most convenient

be adopted.

The two

mode

of construction should

underground cisterns are.

good hydraulic lime and a supply of clear, pure sand. These must be selected
from experience or trial, or by choosing such as have already proved efficient
tor this purpose.

become

all-essential requisites for

Good hydraulic cement

as fiard as sandstone.

will, in the

course of a few months,

A PPENDIX.

172

When this hardening process does not take place, it must be attribnted to
bad materials, or to intermixing in wrong proportions. On the latter point,
Bomc are misled by adopting the practice emplovcd in mixing common lime
mortar, the hardest ma_,.
j.
"

'

Fig. 124.

terial resulting

m this case

where the sand

constitutes

about

sixths of the

five

But the hardest

whole.

K-a^e/'/Mne

be made

much

if

mortar can not

the sand forms

more

two

than

thirds of the whole.

"

common and

very

cheap form for the cistern

is, to dig a round hole into
the ground with slofiing
sides,

somewhat

the

in

form of a narrow-bottomed tub, and then to plaster

upon

immediately
Section.

earth

slope is given to the sides, the mortar can not be

loft,

as

it is

nearly impossible to find a

plastering by simple adhesion.

The

soil

to

keep

its

place while

dry and hard enough to retain the

p nf ihis kind of cistern

be wide, and consequently difficult tocnvir

Fig. 125.

made

the

Unless a

(fig. 124).

must therefore

cry large ones effectually and sub-

The covering
made of stiff and

stantially.
is

usually

durable plank, supported,

If

by

necessary,

^lrong

scantling, and over this

is

placed about one foot of

earth to exclude completely the frost.

curb

hole with

about

inches by two

eighteen
feet,

must

be left in this covering, for

the admission of the water
pipe or pump, and to

low a

man

to

al-

enter fo'

cleaning out the cistern

when

necessary.

In cold

or freezing weather,

it

is

indispensably requisite to

Section.

Ij,,yg j^is

hole stopped, to

which would otherwise enter the wet cement or walls, and produce cracking or leakage a frequent cause of the fail ure of water-lime cisterns.
" Th'g is the cheapest form of such reservoirs, but a better, more capaciouH-

exclude

frost,

pr c

isr

r>

\7^

and more durable mode, is to dig the hole with perpendicular sides in the form
of a barrel, and build the walls with stone or brick, to receive the plastering
In consequence of its circular form, operating liice an arch, these
(flg. 125).
walls will not be in danger of falling if not more than half the ordinary thickness of similar walls. For large cisterns they should be thicker than for small
ones. The walls should be built perpendicular until about halfway up, when
each successive layer ghould be contracted so as to bring them nearer toi;clher,
in the fi^rm of an arch, reducing the size of the opening at the top, and ren.
dering a smaller covering necessary.

soaked or flooded with water,

tlie

If the subsoil is

walls

may be

laid in

always dry or never

common

lime mortar,

and afterward plastered on the inner surface with the cement. But
soils,

the whole wall should be laid in water lime.

or compact gravel, a coating of an inch or two

upon the

bottom

eartli

If the bottom

may be

is

in

wet sub-

hard earth

spread immediate!

but in other instances, the bottom should be

flrst

ji

laiu

with flat stone, or paved with round ones, the cement spread upon these.
" The plastering upon the sloping eanh-walls, as flrst described (flg. 124),
should never be less than an inch thick, and if the earth is soft it should be

more.

On

enough.

the stone or hard brick walls

Cisterns can rarely,

if

ever, be

(flg. 125),

made

half an inch will be thick

free from leaking, without giv-

ing them at least two successive coats and three will be safer
coat in each instance being allowed to

flltering cistern

"Make
partition

may

the previous

be made as follows

a partitinn ia) in the cistern, dividing

is

become dry and hard."

into

it

two portions.

This

pierced at the

bottom with several apertures.

A low wall (6) ie
built up on each side the
partition, and a few inches

above the top of the apertures.

"

The open space between

these low walls (c)

is filled

with charcoal broken

and with gravel the

being on top.

flne,

latter

The water

from the other.

ence,

may

help

Another plan

"A

Section.

is

conducted into one apartment, and

may always be drawn up

The acoompanying section, to which the

to make this account more intelligible."*
is

thus described by the

same

bright and clear

letters

have

refer-

writer

cask holding perhaps a hundred gallons

is

placed by the side of the

and quite near the surface of the ground. An aperture in its

bottom, over which is se( ured a large sponge, is connected by a good-sized
pipe of wood or clay with the main tank. A third part of the cask is now
the conductor from the house is led into
filled with the charcoal and gravel
it, and the thing Is complete.
larger cistern,

Village and K:irni Cottages.

ArPEKDix.

174
" This

mode

is

not only as easy and as cheap as the other, but has this great

advantage, that the

othrr case,

order

to

fllterer

can be often and readily cleaned, while in the

necessary to remove

it is

all

the water and to go

down deep

in

corner of

my

accomplish the work."

A CHEAP ICE-KOOM.
A

farmer communicates the following in Life IHustfoterl

" I srnd you

my

experience.

wood-house, which opens to the west, and

about nine feet square;

and

lined

south

west

on the

is ail
I

is

25 feet wide.

between empty.

inside, leaving the four-inch space

boards like bars, any height

upjier part open, just as

is

The ice-room

clap-boarded on the studs on the north and

inch-board partition, just tight enough

slip in

" Into

is

I partitioned off the northeast

convenient.

wish

This

is

to

hold saw-dust.

to pile

my

my

ice,

is

east,

On
On

the

the

and leave the

house.

on the ground, I put from six to ten Inches of saw-dust, then put
In my ice one foot from the partition on every side, packing it in as closely as
1 then fill the
I can, and in as large b!0''ks as I can conveniently handle.
spaces next the partitions with saw-dust, and a good dcplli (say one foot) over
the top, and it is done for the year.
" I have practiced in this way two years past, and had all 1 wanted for dairy
it,

and other uspb, and to give to my neighbors.

*'
The whole cost of making is 300 feet of hemlock boards, a few nails, and a
half a day's work. Neighbor farmcr.s, try it. Almost any other location ii si
good as

thig."

^M) E X

Paob

A.

Ancient Log

Obin

10

Architecture, Fundamental Principles of

"
Style of.
Architectural Finery
Additions, Plans for
Attic

Rooms

Ash and Smoke House

Apiary

14
25
67
52
67
146
150

Fundamental PrineipK-s
Farm House, Model
"
Plan of
Houses, Eemarks on

"

Garden House

14
JOO
lo-i

99

152

H.
B.

Building for

House, Origin of

Show

60

Barns
Bee House

129
150

"
"

Meaning

of

E.xtempore
House-Building
Hexagon Plan

9
12

56
I4

47

C.

Coneret*

31

Chimneys

33
45
57
49

Cottages of One Story Defined. ..

"
Story-and-a-Half " ...
Cottage, Southern
"
"

"
'

"
"

"

"
"

Plan of Cheap
'
Small ...

An

61
62

"Fruitland"
Square

"
Swiss
Country House, Stone.

"
Church
Circular House
"
Barn

Church, Country

64,73
68
...

71
79
S6
95
89
153
92
136
153

D.
Details, Miscellaneous

Drainage
Doors

Log Cabin

46

51

>

A Gothic
Asymmetrical
A Semi-Soutliern.

147
L.

57
58

Italian

English Plan
Suburban

I.

Ice-House

32
42
52

M.
Materials

28
O.

Octagon Plan, S. H. Mann's

"
Villa
"
Barns

S3
l-.'5

"

Poultry House

132
143

"

Piggery

145

Plan, Adoption of
Painting
Paper, \Vall
Plans for Three Rooms

Parsonage

10

40,55
41

48
75

Play House

151

R.
E.
Errors and Absurdities
Knglish Cottage Plan

Rooms, Arrangement of

22

43

Roofing

42

61

Rough-Cast

42

176

Index.
Pa OR

Bats In Cellars

Round House

55
92

Choice of
Style of Architecture

16
25

Trees,

Sile,

Stucco
Southern Cottage
"
House
"
Villa
Stone Country House..
Swiss Cottage
Side Hill Barn

Ventilation
Villa,

"
"
"

118

"

89
I

"
"

1.%

Stables

141

Smoke House and Ashery

146

Speakiui; Tubes
School House

156

48

What

86, 6T

51
is it?

Small Italian
Brick
Gothic
Picturesque
Southern
Octagon

105
106
I(i8

Ill

114
118
125

^I

61

Verandas

42
49
79,83

9.i

etc.

'

Warming
Water

Closets

84
BB

V \^

v.^

^\ N

N>^

x^^;r

\^

%'

.'^

^<*\j

^^^"'^^

^^^'^^

^"^

X'i