OTHER things being equal, high ground is always preferable for a building site; but many things must be taken into consideration in the location. Old water-courses, low, swampy grounds, and dense forests should be avoided, as they are fruitful sources of disease. It is not pleasant to locate near a manufacturing concern, where the din of resounding machinery fills the air with discordant sounds, and where clouds of smoke settle down at the most inopportune moments. It is not best in cities to locate where a good sewer is not accessible, for in time the difficulty in drainage will become very annoying.

In the country there is not so much difficulty in securing a desirable location. The first consideration should be good drainage, and the soil and subsoil must be carefully examined to this end. If the soil is gravelly or porous, and the subsoil a hard clay, impervious to water, the site is not a good one, for the surface water will simply settle down to the clay and remain there, making the ground damp and unhealthful. This may, however, be remedied to a great extent by putting in tile drains, but it is best to find a good porous or gravelly subsoil.

Where a good system of sewerage is maintained, the drainage is of no consequence, as it is easy to secure almost perfect immunity from damp premises.

The next consideration is a good and ample supply of drinking water, and water for all domestic purposes; this is of vital importance. It is far better to be at some expense in bringing it from a distant spring or a running stream by means of pipes, than to run any risk by the use of contaminated water. Many fine sites, in other respects very desirable, are not deemed practical by reason of their location on high ground away from water, but this difficulty can usually be overcome if there is water within a reasonable distance in a valley below, by means of a Hydraulic Ram.

A well should not be located near any building unless there is a perfect system of drainage for carrying off the surface water; neither is it safe to locate a well too near a drain, as the incline of the surface or strata of subsoil may allow the sewage to filter through into' the well and contaminate the water.

In many parts of the country, where the lower strata is gravel, and where the water is only a few feet down, drive wells are put in by driving into the earth an iron pipe one and a half inches in diameter, upon the end of which is firmly screwed a sharp, steel-pointed head, the pipe for a few inches above the steel-pointed head having small holes for the admission of water. Water from this kind of wells is usually pure, and no water from the surface can get in to contaminate. Any system of drainage depends largely upon a good supply of water for its effectiveness, and without good drainage the best location will soon become unhealthy.

A quick-running stream, if not subject to annoying or dangerous overflows, is to be desired as an adjunct to a good site, as it can be made the means of carrying off accumulations of filth; but a sluggish stream, or standing water, should be avoided, as danger lurks on their banks; nor are pools that are made for ornament to be trusted.

Lakes, if fed by rivulets or unseen springs at the bottom, so that the water will not stagnate, may be most delightful and reasonably healthful as adjuncts to building sites.