In considering the first installation of a factory and equipment one always has to weigh the question of prime cost against the probability of future expansion of crop. If it should be decided at first merely to cater for contemporary requirements, the fullest consideration should be given in discussing design of building and lay-out of machinery to the practicability of later extension. The site should be large enough for the eventual group of buildings, the building should be easily capable of extension with the least cost, and the same forethought should govern the lay-out of the machinery. DRAINS.--Lastly, there is the question of drains. Generally speaking, all factories are well provided with drains, and the only difficulty is that of getting an adequate fall for efficient drainage. But there is a certain amount of laxity exhibited in the matter of providing sieves in drains. To anyone acquainted with factory working, it must be apparent that quite a lot of small pieces of rubber are washed into the drains. This rubber should be collected at intervals during the day; but in many instances that collected is only a fraction of what escapes. Wherever possible the drainings of a factory should be carried as far as is practicable from the buildings by means of cement drains. Too often these are short, and lead into earthen drains. Even if no pieces of rubber are present, the serum from the coagulum is subject to decomposition, the effluvium from which is objectionable. WATER SUPPLY.--It is essential that a good supply of water should be available. This should be distributed by pipes all round the building, so that a hose may be used in every part for the thorough cleansing of the factory at intervals during the hours of working. Summing up, it might be said that a good factory, therefore, should have the following features: 1. Plenty of windows, or walls of expanded metal. 2. A jack-roof in the ridge, and hence a good system of ventilation. 3. Engines in compartments outside the walls of the factory. 4. Machines close to and parallel with the wall outside of which the engines are placed. 5. Latex tanks and other fixtures along the wall opposite the machines. 6. A long middle free space, at either end of which a large double door should be placed in the end walls. 7. A good concrete and cement floor sloping slightly from the middle towards each long wall. 8. An abundant water supply, and several lengths of hose. 9. The building should be of only one floor, and have ample head room. 10. There should be an outside, open verandah upon which latex may be received, etc.; preferably outside the wall which is opposite to the machines. 11. The system of drainage should be thorough, and the drains should be adequately screened, so that all particles of rubber may be collected. CHAPTER XV _OTHER BUILDINGS_