94 GREENHOUSES 



nearly 30 feet high, to the ridge, is shown in 

 Fig. 54. This work was done entirely by 

 the owners and their ordinary help, without 

 any expert superintendence and at a material 

 saving in cost. 



The method was comparatively simple. 

 The material was first carefully distributed 

 on the site selected, and a .trench dug for 

 the foundation. The gable trusses were 

 then bolted together, while another gang of 

 men began setting and guying the side posts. 

 The trench was then filled with concrete, 

 making the side posts rigid. Next the in- 

 terior posts were put in place. 



The first step in putting up the rafters 

 was to fasten the lower ends to the tops of the 

 side posts loosely, so that they would move 

 easily, and then raise the other end into place 

 by means of a pair of "shears," made of two 

 pieces of 2 x 4-inch scantling. When these 

 had been securely bolted in place, the gable 

 truss, which had been previously assembled, 

 was swung into place by means of a block 

 and tackle, working from a boom. All 

 that remained was to insert and tighten the 

 bolts, put the purlins in place and move on 

 to the next bent. The author was told by 

 the owners of this house that it was erected 



