THE IMPACT OF FARM LOT SHAPE ON PATTERNS IN THE RURAL LANDSCAPE

This article examines the spatial implications of farm lot shape, a fu nction of the survey system, for the rural landscape. Three aspects of farmstead location within the lot are investigated: the location of t he house, the location of the barn, and the distance and direction rel ationships between the barn and the house. Our findings show that effi ciency and lot shape affect farmstead location, in particular that bar ns are more concentrated behind the house and to the left in rectangul ar lots than in square lots. Suggestions for classroom and field appli cations of this methodology in other areas are included.