Grade. 

 Date. 



EXERCISE 9 



LAYING OUT AND LEVELING THE POULTRY HOUSE FOUNDATION 



Object. To study the proper method of determining the exact location 

 for the poultry house and the best method of laying out a foundation for the 

 same. 



Equipment. Wood stakes, hatchet, two-foot rule, mason's cord, spirit 

 level, and, if possible, a surveyor's level. 



Procedure. Make a field trip to some suitable location, preferably the 

 area surveyed in Exercise 2, and proceed as follows: 



Step 1. Select the best location for the long laying house, if it has 

 not already been done in Exercise 2. Consider contour, drainage, vegetation, 

 grading, yard room, etc. Drive four stakes to approximately mark the four 

 corners of the house on the site selected. 



Step 2. Lay out foundation lines, erect batten boards and stretch 

 trench lines according to method described on pages 124 and 125 in Pro- 

 ductive Poultry Husbandry. 



Step 3. It is frequently found desirable to lay out trench lines quickly, 

 paying no attention to levels until after the foundation trench is dug, after 

 which grading stakes can be leveled at the time the finished wall is leveled. 

 Two methods can be followed depending upon equipment available. If 

 only a carpenter's spirit level is available proceed as follows: Determine 

 level at which it is desirable to finish foundation wall. Drive stake at this 

 level at approximately the center of the house. From this stake by means 

 of a leveling board, spirit level and temporary stakes run level lines to the 

 four corners, driving permanent stakes at each corner and marking correct 

 level on each. When constructing concrete forms for walls they can be 

 leveled to these stakes. In determining the level of the wall it should be the 

 plan to have it at all points at least six inches above the ground line at that 

 point. If the ground is sloping this may mean considerable grading or an 

 excessive height at some points. 



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