164? OBSERVATIONS ON AGRICULTURAL BUJLDINGS

therefore, where the external walls are, from their height, andthe expence of the materials, a principal part of the building,such as dwelling-houses of several stories, the least expensiveform will be that which approaches nearest to the square. Inlow buildings, where the roof and joisting are the mostweighty articles, the oblong form will be preferable, particu-larly when such a form is more suited to the purposes wanted.

In all buildings for common purposes, where there are nodivision walls lengthwise, it will be found most convenient tohave them below, rather than above, twenty feet wide inside,as, when they exceed that width, it becomes necessary tohave trussed beams for the joisting, and trussed rafters forthe roof, articles requiring more expence than is commonlyallowed for such Ijuildings.

The cheapest buildings are such as are contained withinfour straight lines. All projections add considerably to theexpence, by the extra corners, breaks in the roof, &c.

It has always been found of great service, in preventingthe spreading of fire, to have the cross division walls of anyrange of buildings carried up through the roof, and copedabove the covering *.

Although in buildings of the description here treated of,economy in their execution is the most essential point to beattended to, yet, even jin these, a person of improved taste willalways so dispose them, as to have a good appearance; andin villas, for the gentleman farmer, this should be particularlyobserved, for which purpose the introduction of roofs, cover-ed with the Minto composition, will be found a great acqui-sition.

* Sir J. Sinclair’s Account of the Husbandry of Scotland.