Farm Structures

From the author's preface when this book was originally published in 1914: In the preparation of this book it has been purposed to provide a treatise concerning farm structures which will appeal not only to the teacher who desires to present the subject to his students in a straightforward and practical way, but to the progressive farmer who recognizes the advantages of good farm buildings. The popular literature on this subject consists mainly of compilations of plans accompanied by criticisms of more or less value, or of discussions of farmsteads too expensive or impractical to be applied to present ordinary conditions. The elimination of these faults has been among the objects of the author in the writing of this text. The development of the subject is manifestly the most logical, beginning with a description of building materials, followed by a discussion of the basic methods employed in simple building construction, then presenting typical plans of various farm buildings in which the principles of construction and arrangement have been applied. Descriptions of the more essential requirements in the way of equipment and farm-life conveniences are appended. The illustrations have been prepared with the object of making them truly illustrative and of aid in the understanding of the subject matter which they accompany. Comparatively few building plans are included, since most building problems possess so many local requirements that a general solution is impossible; however, the plans presented are typical, and are so suggestive in presenting fundamental principles that a study of them will aid in the solution of any particular individual problem.