Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/455

 1868.] Descriptions. 369 ing poor population, which strongly ap- peals to us, for a shelter superior to that which they could obtain in Europe. This land is the fond hope of the emi- grant. We have it in our power to, partially at least, realize his dreams, by bettering his condition, and giving him a home suitable for a human being. The capitalist may find it not un- profitable to study the subject ; and the philanthropist, as well as the patriot, will certainly see in it much room for their heartiest efforts. For, it is not the emigrant alone, that needs a home, but the native citizen himself equally feels the want of an abode suitable to his taste and his necessities. On the outskirts of our cities are always to be found cheap lands suitable for cottages, such as we would desire to see our suburbs embellished with. Those lands might be secured, in the whole tract, by cooperative joint-stock companies, of which we are glad to see there are many now in active existence in New York, and we hope to see them in eveiy one of our large cities. Such blocks of land could be conveniently and elegantly laid out in lots having, uniformly, gardens in front all of one depth. This plan has been carried out in many of the avenues in Detroit, and adds breadth and beauty to their ap- pearance. Efficient drainage, diyness, and gen- eral healthiness should be the chief ob- jects in the selection of a site for the erection of a cottage ; and where a num- ber are to be built, on an entirely new site, they should be so placed, as not to interfere with, or injure the effect of the surrounding scenery. The cottage should be so placed that the sun may shine on the most fre- quented sides of the house, or, if possi- ble, let all the windows have a certain proportion of sunshine through the day. The design and its features should be so arranged, as to have that effect. And everjr cottage should have a garden at- tached to it, of not less than about one- sixth of an acre, to be cultivated by the cottager. It should be neatly fenced, on the front especially, so as to add as much as possible to the landscape effect ; and if a hedge-row be introduced, so much the better. The division of lots should be marked by an evergreen hedge ; and, until such hedges can be grown, a neat wire fence might be used to advantage. The first thing to be done, in laying- out the foundations, is to see to the drainage ; and this is a point of the ut- most importance, as upon it mainly de- pend the health and comfort of its in- mates. And not only is it requisite, that the drainage be perfect, but it must be as little liable as possible to get out of order ; and when disturbed for the purpose of cleaning, should be capable of reinstatement with the materials at first used. Although a complete system of drain- age would seem to have but little to do with cottage building, the general use of a tank for the common cesspool is most desirable — and the more especially, as in cases where a number of cottages are erected, one tank might serve the purpose of the whole. The most essential points to be at- tended to, in the drainage of buildings generally, are the following : All main sewers should be formed with concave bottoms, to allow the water, however small in quantity, passing along with solid matter, to act with the utmost possible effect ; and they should be evenly built. They should have arched tops, although flags, well laid, make a good cover. Sewers should have a fall of not less than one inch in every ten feet in length, and more than this, in all cases, where the flow of water is varia- ble. They should have a constant flow of water through them, or powerful flushes at stated intervals ; and particu- lar care taken to ventilate them. To prevent the foul air generated in, or returning by the drains, the waste- ways should be double-trapped, by a