MODEL COTTAGES. 13 a, Natural surface of the ground. b, Surface of the platform. c, Level of the foundation of the cellar. d, Foundations of the other walls. e, Foundation of the oven. /, Foundation of the partition wall between the living room and family bed-room. g, Well or tank. k, Siebe's pump, with an ascending pipe into the cistern, i. i, Cistern for the water-closets, and for supplying the yard. k, Place for ducks or geese beneath. /, Hen-house, with tool-house and man's water-closet under. r>!, Family bed-room. n, Loft, with ventilator, or trap-door, from the kitchen, and opening near the air or ventilating flue. 0, Kitchen. p, Porch. q, Cover to the air flue, which is only kept open during summer to prevent excessive heat at that season : it is simply a square paving tile supported by an iron shank, in order to exclude rain. r, Oven. s, Water-box over. i, Commencement of flue from oven. M, Continuation of flue. V, Cornice to chimney top, made large for the purpose of encouraging swallows to build their nests there ; these birds being of great importance to cultivators or possessors of gardens, as destroyers of winged insects, on which they live entirely. 22. The perspective elevation of the entrance front and south-east side of Design L is shown in fig. 6. The object of this elevation is to show the general appearance of this description of cottage. The steps to the level part of the platform are seen on the left, and the gradual inclination of the surface from the south corner to the south-east corner to the yard-wall. The shelves for bee-hives are shown with the dog-kennel under, but the dove- cote is placed, over the entrance porch. 23. General Form. The most economical form in which a house can be built, is well known to be the cube. Not only does this form afford the greatest quantity of accommo- dation, with the least quantity of walling and roofing, but it is easier warmed; and, when warmed, it retains the heat better than any other form, more especially when the chimneys are placed in the interior walls, the reason being that a smaller extent of surface is exposed to the exterior atmosphere. 24. Aspect. With reference to Britain, and to the flat countries of most parts of Europe, the mildest aspect is the south-east, and, therefore, the door of a cottage should, if possible, be placed on that side. The next best side is the south ; and the two worst are the north- east and the south-west. It is very desirable, in a cold moist climate, that the sun should
