The Country House 





coat of cement. It is best to make the flooring with a slight drain about the out- 

 side wall (see Fig. 2), with a trap at the lower end entering the drain. This 

 drain should on no account enter the sewer or house drain. There is no need of 

 extending the area of possible trouble any further than is necessary. It is not 

 probable that with the ordinary precautions water will enter the cellar, but if it 

 should this will be found of much value. 



Mortar for exposed brickwork or stonework should consist of one part best 

 cement, one part lime and two parts clear sharp sand. Pure lime mortar may 

 answer, but the above is better. 



The underpinning, the portion of wall between the foundation and the first 

 floor, is, in the ordinary frame dwelling, of brick. This should be laid close with 



struck joints, having 



{ ""*"" '^J a course of headers 



every sixth course; 

 this effectively ties 

 the wall together. A 

 "header" brick is 

 one laid with the 

 end or head to the 

 weather; its length 

 extends into the 

 wall, forming what 

 is termed a "bond" 

 with the rest of the 

 work. The "stretch- 

 er" brick is laid in 

 the ordinary 

 length to 

 weather. 



Often the un- 

 derpinning is rough 

 or cut stone, which 

 is laid in the manner 

 of its kind. 



The cellar piers are usually built of brick, one foot square, from a stone foot- 

 ing below the cellar level, and provided with iron caps. Sometimes iron posts 

 are substituted, and even 4-inch iron piping has been used with success on light 

 structures. The iron cap is essential, however, for the secure support of the girder, 

 since it does not shrink as does the ordinary wooden cap. The iron post has the 

 advantage of less bulk than the brick pier without corresponding loss of 

 strength, which is often a very great consideration. 



The framing of a house is an important consideration. It should not only 

 hold together but be rigid as well. The frame that will jar when the baby falls 

 off the divan is not a rigid frame. The form of construction may have varying 

 details common to various constructionists, but its main principles are substantially 

 the same. 



way, 

 the 



Central motive of the Hammond House, Annapolis, Md. Hip roof with pediment projection. 

 The projecting courses between stories emphasise the floor line 



