CIlfeAy AND DURABLE STRUCTURESo 217 



The foundation must be of masonry, eighteen inches thick, —on a low 

 and may be raised to a foot or eighteen inches above the masonry. 

 ground; which is necessary, to secure the walls from moisture 

 or splash, Mark upon them, the distance at which the joists 

 are to be set for receiving the mould. These -should be three 

 feet each, from centre to centre. This will leave six inches at 

 each end, which serve to lengthen the mould at the angles of the 

 house. After having set the joists in their places, the masonry 

 must be raised between them, six inches higher than the upper 

 side of the joists. Raise the mould immediately on the masonry. The mould 

 as described, placing it over one of the angles of the wall. The "^^"" 

 head of it, which is to be placed against the angle, should have 

 eighteen inches in breadth at the bottom, and only seventeen 

 inches and a half at top. Thus the sides of the moulds will 

 incline towards each other, and produce the necessary diminu- 

 tion. The wedges must then be driven in, the posts well fixed 

 by cords, and the head of the mould secured by iron pins. 



A workman should be placed in each of the three divisions Threeworkmea 



of the mould, the best workman at the angle. He is to direct '"am at the 



'^ same time, m 



the work of the other two ; aijd by occasionally applying a the eneth of 



plumb-rule, to take care that the mould does not swerve from ^^'^^"^ "^^*' 

 its upright position. The labourers who prepare the e^rth 

 must give it in small quantities to the workmen in the mould, 

 who, after having spread it with their feet, begin to press it 

 with the rammer. They must only receive so much at a time 

 as will cover the bottom of the mould to the thickness of tiiree 

 or four inches. The first strokes of the rammer should be Method of 

 given close to the sides of the mould, but they must be after- ''*"*""'^°- 

 wards applied to every other part of the surface. The men 

 should then cross their strokes, so that the earth may be press- 

 ed in every direction. Those who stand next to one another 

 in the mould, should regulate their strokes so as to beat at the 

 same time under the cord ; because that part cannot be got at 

 without difficulty, and must be struck at obliquely. With this 

 precaution, the whole will be equally compressed. The man 

 at the angle of the wall should beat carefully against the head 

 of the mould ; and to encrease the strength of the building, it 

 is usual to spread, every six inches high, a layer of mortar near 

 the head. Care must be taken that no fresh earth is received 

 Vol. XIV.— July, 1806. Ff into 



