90 



and directly underneath the boundary cord. The depth of this trench 

 should vary from 15 inches in sandy or gravelly soils to 2^/2 ft. in 

 the very heavy soils. Fill the ditch with cobblestones or coarse gravel 

 to within a few inches of the ground level, then construct the concrete 

 wall on this bed to a level 4 in. to 6 in. above the highest point of 

 land on which the house is located. Observe in Fig. 57 the large amount 

 of filling necessary in the lower places when building long houses on 

 slightly uneven land. This could have been avoided, if desired, by 

 making the level of the floors in the different pens vary with the land. 

 A wall 6 inches to 8 inches thick, of well-mixed concrete, in the propor- 

 tion of i part cement, 3 parts sand, and 5 parts coarse gravel or crushed 

 stone, is solid enough to retain the filling material within, and to sup- 

 port the building above, except in the case of larger buildings or springy 

 soil, when the foundation wall necessarily is built heavier. In such a 

 case the outside should be banked for the double purpose of strength- 

 ening the wall and allowing the fowls an easier entrance to the house. 



The floors 



The essentials of a good floor are a smooth, hard surface for easy 

 cleaning, dryness, durability and economy of construction. It must be 

 rat-proof and high enough to keep out surface water. A common cause 

 of a damp house is a poor floor. 



Dampness is fatal to liens, therefore drain to promote dryness. It is 

 better by far to have a cold, dry house than a warm, damp one. The 

 warmer the air the more moisture it will hold. When this moist air 

 comes in contact with a cold surface condensation takes place which is 

 often converted into hoarfrost. This may account for damp floors. The 

 remedy is to prevent moisture in the house as far as possible, by cutting 

 off the water from below. The water-table is the same under the house 

 as it is outdoors. The water rises by capillary attraction. Dirt floors 

 are, therefore, likely to be damp. They require frequent filling in of 

 new soil if they are to be kept sanitary. Stone filling covered with soil 

 is hard to clean, and only partially keeps out dampness. Board floors 

 are short-lived if the air is not allowed to circulate under the house. 

 If the foundation walls are not tight the floors are cold. In any case 

 they harbor rats. A good cement floor is as cheap as a good matched- 

 board floor, counting lumber, sleepers, nails, time, etc. When properly 

 made it is good for all time. It is practically rat-proof, easily cleaned, 

 and perfectly dry, cutting off absolutely all the water from below. If 

 covered with a little soil or straw, or both, as all kinds of floors should 

 be, it will be warm. 



