Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure
1.33.
Bodega (barn) used for storage.
likes to collect ornamental plants. He has a corner at one end of the farmhouse where he
grows these plants and has taken charge of the gardens around the house and the living
fences that form a path to the orchard.
1.2.7 The House
The house, shown in Figure 1.20, is a simple concrete block construction around con-
crete pillars with reinforcing bars protruding from the top. This is a common practice
that permits addition of a second floor when family, and money, permit. The flat roof
serves as a work area to store items and to keep harvested crops away from animals.
There is no snowfall or heavy monsoon rains so the flat roof is adequate. Although
the house is not very large, it provides sufficient space for the children to have their
rooms and for a living room and a well-equipped kitchen.
In addition to the house they have a bodega (barn) (Fig. 1.33) where they store
various farm items including the tools and where they raise the guinea pigs.
1.2.8 Household Appliances, Utensils, and Utilities
There is electricity and even sewer service to the farm. This helps the family with the
basic utilities. The total cost of water and sewer service is about US$1.60/month.
The family has a kitchen with running water and household appliances considered
adequate in Ecuador. They have a gas stove, refrigerator, and microwave, as shown in
Figure 1.34. In the parent's bedroom there is a television and stereo. Their son, Diego,
has a large stereo set he sometimes uses at parties. The house also has a bathroom with
running water.
Water for the household and irrigation comes through a supply system from the
village of Pinantura. Its source is a spring (Fig. 1.35) that originates in the snow and
ice covering the cinder cone of the nearby volcano Antisana. There is no treatment
given to the water, but the quality is generally good. The family uses this water
