We continue with the study of the requirements in respect of the space lying between the periphery and the main house. We covered some details regarding utilization of the corners for outhouses. To conclude, it is necessary also that no outhouse comes into contact with the main building. There should be gap enough to permit circumvention of the main house.

Other items which fall outside the main house in the compound are, underground water storage, well, fountain, septic tank & soak pit as also trees and plants. Surface drains also have to be taken into account.

Underground water storage & well  

These are located only in the north-east zone but off the diagonal connecting the north-east angle with the south-west angle. A fountain or a waterfall is also very beneficial to have in the north-east zone.

Septic tank and soak pit

The best place for these is the western end to the northern side of the house. The second best is the northern end on the western side of the house. There is absolutely no alternative slot for these items.

Trees and plants

Tall trees are nowhere recommended close to the main building for two reasons. First, the roots of such trees, in course of time, undergo tremendous development which may interfere with the basic structure of the building. Secondly, a large tree may be vulnerable to adverse onslaught of stormy winds. This also is hazardous for the safety of the building as also the residents. Such cases have frequently  come into observation everywhere. But, there are exceptions too - date palms, for instance, are never known to have misbehaved. 

The importance of receptivity to the salubrious vibrations from the east, the north-east and the east and the need for screening off the baneful effect from the directions opposite to the above, is a good  guide in putting up trees and plants. For trees the south in itself is good and so is the west. But it would be better if the quantum of shade provided by the trees on one side is matched by that on other side. Except as hereinafter stated, no tree should be grown in the north and the east. The one at the north-east is the worst. Residents of such homes are vulnerable to serious illness.

Small decorative plants and shrubs may be grown in the north and the east. The height should not exceed, say, half a meter at the north-east increasing gradually to not more than 1.5 meter as one moves from the north-east to the north-west or to the south-east end.  

There are some other considerations also for the choice of plants. Except rose and a few medicinal ones, all thorny plants give rise to tensions in the environment. Cactus is the worst. The sharpness of the thorny points is nature's device of emitting negative currents. Sometimes, even a beautiful bougainvillea plant fires pricks during handling and the injury thereof remains deeply painful for days. Plants exuding white sap should also be kept off. Lime and karonda etc. are OK in an orchard but not in residence or business premises.  The adverse effects noted are financial shortage and lack of good progeny. However, if the compound is large permitting enough distance while circumventing the house, a very limited number of such plants may be grown in the western half of the southern periphery or the southern half of the western periphery. Priority in this space is deserved much more useful items like plantain, papaya, mango, guava, custard apple. Gulmohur, Ashok and Neem are a good choice amongst the shady ones.

Amongst the beneficial plants, the best is Tulsi. If a bougainvillea or lime plant cannot be removed, its baneful effect can be drastically curtailed by keeping one or two Tulsi plants close by.  Even otherwise Tulsi has an exquisite quality of neutralizing negative currents and spreading health in the environment. It is commendable to keep at least one Tulsi plant in the north-east area of the premises, but its height should not exceed 1.5 meter. 

Growing creepers/climbers with support on the compound wall or a house wall is best avoided.

Surface drains

As already discussed, the downward slope should be either to the north or to the east. Surface drains, which in these days are provided, at best, for storm or rain water only, have to follow the same direction. This is extremely important. 

THE MAIN HOUSE

Placing

The main structure  should occupy a place in, so to say, south-west type of setting within the overall dimensions of the entire property. The purpose is that the proportion of the surrounding open space is in accordance with the principle enunciated in the earlier article under the head OPEN SPACE. To recall, it may be stated that between the house and the periphery there should be markedly more open space in the north than in the south and similarly, more in the east than in the west. Placed thus, the plan makes an ideal beginning for the making of a real good house.

Shape

A square or rectangular shape is best. Plans with cuts and curves at corners of the house are no good. Such a cut at the north-east corner of the house is positively deleterious for the well being of male progeny in the family. This is a well confirmed fact.

Open to North,  North East & East	Open to the North	Open to the East.

Exigency of requirement in a complex, like a school or a hospital, may require giving its layout shapes such as the ones represented by the alphabets L or U. It is easy to observe that these shapes bear the representation of two open arms, with an angle in L and a back in U. Facing the north or the east with the arms extending towards these direction is exceedingly favorable.  But facing the west or the south is fraught with the highest degree of unhappiness as illustrated below.  Midway cases are also best avoided.

Midway Cases The Worst Cases