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Find
an Improved Property
The
American Agriculturist, 1862
Any
improvements already made upon a site should have considerable
weight in determining one’s choice. An orchard, not too old
and scraggy, a few good shade trees of large size, any amount of
grading, draining, manuring, fencing, etc., that may have been
done, is only so much time saved, and so much money invested for
the buyer’s benefit. As pleasant as it is to create one’s
homestead wholly, yet life is short, and it is quite a help to
have a few things already created to one’s hand.
Does
Your Land Have Character?
Samuel
T. Maynard, Landscape Gardening, 1899
The
beauty that may be developed in any place depends largely upon
the character of the land. If without character, i.e., if
perfectly flat and level, no marked or strong features can be
obtained except at a greatly added cost. If, however, the land
is uneven, with a valley here, a hill there, a ravine in one
place or a mass of bold rocks in another, much more variety and
much more beautiful views may be obtained. Whatever variety is
obtained on a level building lot must be made by the contrast
between the ornamental trees and shrubs and the architecture.
Where
Should You Place Your House?
Samuel
T. Maynard, Landscape Gardening, 1899
Whether the house
shall be on the north, south, east, or west slope is a matter of
great importance in our changeable climate. On the southern,
southeasterly, or southwesterly slopes a little under a hill or
in the lea of a sheltering grove, the fierce northwest winds, so
common throughout the country, are greatly modified, but some of
our most lovely views are often lost under such conditions, and
it becomes a matter of serious moment which of the two
conditions to adopt. Shelter is very easily provided, however,
in a short time by planting trees of rapid growth.
The location as
related to the principal thoroughfare is a matter that should
receive attention. On the north side of a road leading east and
west, the front of the house will be open to the south, and the
front rooms are thus exposed to the sun more fully than the rear
rooms. If, however, more sunlight is desired in the rear rooms,
a location on the south side of the street would be more
satisfactory. Hallways and unoccupied rooms should be placed
where there is the least sunlight.
But whatever the exposure, the
aim should be to obtain shelter if possible from the prevailing
winds, to secure as much sunlight as possible and preserve the
most beautiful views.
The
Perfect Site
A.J.Downing, Hints to Persons
About Building in the Country, 1847
It very
frequently occurs that circumstances compel us to build on a
particular site, so that all choice is out of the question. But
as there are annually a greater number of new localities
selected and built upon in this country, than in any other, the
opportunity of choosing where to build is open to a large
majority of those who intend erecting a country dwelling in the
United States.
The best position
for a dwelling house, all other things being equal, it is almost
unanimously agreed, is, for an irregular country, a middle
elevation, half way between the low valleys and the high hills -
open to the south and west, and sheltered from the north and
east.
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