ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

No book that covers so many phases of human relationships could be compiled without taking advice from those who are specialists. When we have wanted to know facts, we have freely turned to others whose detailed knowledge represented long experience. For this assistance we are particularly indebted to: M. Shaler Allen, Bruce Millar, Mrs. Herbert Q. Brown, and George S. Platts; also, to House & Garden, in which parts of this book appeared serially; and to Miss Eleanor V. Searing for many hours spent reading manuscript.

New Canaan, Conn.
April 1937

CONTENTS

PAGE
Introduction[xi]
CHAPTER
I. Why Live in the Country[3]
II. Selecting the Location[19]
III. Shopping for Property[35]
IV. Call in an Architect[57]
V. Building versus Remodeling[73]
VI. Looking an Old House in the Mouth[91]
VII. New Sites for Old Houses[105]
VIII. The Smoke Goes up the Chimney[121]
IX. The Question of Water Supply[139]
X. Sewage Safety[153]
XI. Decorations and Furnishings[165]
XII. The Factory Part of the House[179]
XIII. Pets and Livestock[191]
XIV. Tightening for Winter[203]
XV. Keeping Home Fires in Their Place[215]
XVI. When Things Go Wrong[227]
XVII. Working with Nature[243]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

A riverside home reconstructed from the ruins of an old mill
Robertson Ward, architect. Photo by Gottscho		[Frontispiece]
FACING PAGE
The Ogden house, Fairfield, Conn. Built before 1705, it has been restored to preserve the original details
Miss Mary Allis		[12]
An old farmhouse in the rough
Photo by John Runyon		[36]
A really Early American interior. The great fireplace of the Wayside Inn, Sudbury, Mass.
Henry Ford		[60]
Once half a house and a hen roost
Photo by Whitney		[76]
What can be done with a barn
Robertson Ward, architect. Photo by Gottscho		[76]
As they built a chimney in the 18th Century
Photo by John Runyon		[118]
A place for summer and week-ends
Robertson Ward, architect. Photo by La Roche		[148]
True 18th Century simplicity. Now the authors' dining room
Photo by John Runyon		[170]
Entirely new, but with all the charm of an old house
Robertson Ward, architect. Photo by Gottscho		[184]
Snow has dignity, but is the house snug and warm?
Photo by Gottscho		[206]
An imposing country home of classic dignity
Robertson Ward, architect. Photo by Gottscho		[220]
Skillful planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers make the setting
Robertson Ward, architect. Photo by Gottscho		[244]