136

FARM-HOUSES AND OFFICES

threshing of his crop of grain; but it can only be consideredas wasteful prodigality, to erect these on a scale larger than cir-cumstances require; or to increase the expence by making or-namental erections, which are rather a loss than an advan-tage to the farmer. It ought to be considered, that the re-pair of buildings upon a farm, is a heavy burden upon theoccupier during the lease, and especially .at its conclusion,when, according to the general praotice of Scotland , he is ob-liged to put the whole in good condition. A farmer, withoutdoubt, is entitled to comfortable and convenient buildings, ifthey are not upon the premises at his entry ; but in their erec-tion, a prudent economy ought never to be neglected *.

5. In erecting agricultural buildings, the necessary conve-niences of a farm are more attended to, by a plain judiciousfarmer, than symmetry and outward appearance. His greatobject always is, to have his offices so arranged, as to save bothtime and labour, and to enable him to carry on his business,with as few servants as possible, consequently with more satis-faction, and at less expence. Such is the importance of theseparticulars, that it is found to make a difference, to the extentof the labour of one, and in large farms even of two ser-vants, that is, from L. SO to L.100 per annum, where a ju-dicious arrangement, in the construction of farm-houses andoffices, has been properly attended to.

On the whole, it appears, that the central'position of thefarm-house and offices, the proper arrangement of these offi-ces, and the other particulars above detailed, are of such im-portance, as to make a difference in the expence of workingthe farm, of L. 100 to even L. 200 per annum, in very exten-sive farms f as previously stated.

* Remarks by Robert Brown, Esq. of Markle.

| jj r Walker of Mellendean in Roxburghshire states, that by altering thesituation, and improving the construction of the buildings on his farm of Ru-therford, he saves nearly L, 200 per annum.