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, L’, M’, N’, and connect 
these with two boards, the tops of which are level with Z. Next 
pass a string, RS’, over the point P at right angles to the line 
OP. 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 PO 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 PS’ 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 
” ZL LR Mm 
ialy | 
-——. 
s 
4 
pl lla 
After Rice and Rogers, Cornell Bulietin No. 274. ” 
Fig. 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 O 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 
