DIGGING THE TRENCH 



125 



Drive a stake, marked P, the top of which will be level with Z. 

 About this stake drive three other stakes, U, M', N' , and connect 

 these with two boards, the tops of which are level with Z. Next 

 pass a string, R S', over the point P at right angles to the line 

 P. The best way to determine the right angle is by the use of 

 the right-angle triangle. Measure off on the line P S' eight feet, 

 and on the line P six feet. Move the string back and forth 

 until the distance between these two points is ten feet. When this 

 angle is determined, measure off on the line P S' the distance 

 equal to the width of the building, and drive a stake at this point, 

 S. Construct the regular corner boards about this point, level 



After Rice and Rogers, Cornell Bulletin No. 274. ^^ 



FiQ. 80. — Diagram showing method of laying out foundation. (See text for directions.) 

 The foundation cannot be laid out too carefully. 



with Z. Determine the corner Y by measuring from S in the 

 direction of Y, the distance being equal to the length of the house, 

 and also from in the direction of Y, the distance being equal to 

 the width of the house. The intersection of these two lines will 

 be the point Y. Construct the regulation corner boards about 

 this corner, level with the point Z. Stretch two lines which will 

 locate the outside of the finished wall. This line will be level with 

 the point Z. For laying out the length of the wall or trench, other 

 lines may be stretched parallel to these, indicating the width of 

 the trench or wall desired. 



Digging the Trench. — The trench for the foundation wall 

 should be dug at least four inches wider than the thickness of the 

 wall to be built. The dirt is thrown outside so that later on it 



