CHAPTER VI 

 Directions for Constructing House 



I will now tell you very plainly how to construct these 

 houses, so anyone that can use a saw and hammer ought 

 to be able to build one. 



First, square up your planks twenty feet long, then 

 take your third plank and make two planks ten feet long 

 each. Now spike your twenty-foot plank on your ten- 

 foot plank, using twenty-penny nails, and you have 

 a box twenty feet long and ten feet four inches wide, 

 outside measure. 



Now take a 2 by 4 and saw six pieces four feet long. 

 Then saw out each one of these 2 by 8 ; these make your 

 corner posts and also your center posts. Spike these 

 firmly on your plank box, one in each corner, and one 

 in center of house, letting the 2 by 8 piece you saw out 

 come on your plank. Nail from inside and let flat side 

 come toward ends. This will make your outside even. 

 Then saw four pieces 3 feet 4 inches long to double your 

 corners with. These nail from plank up on each end. This 

 will make them all even on ends and sides. Now take a 

 2 by 4, just 20 feet long, nailing one on each side flatways 

 on top of your uprights, even with ends and outside. 

 Now take a 2 by 4, ten feet four inches long, saw two 

 inches out of each end, drop this in center of house on 

 your plank, which drops bottom two inches below level 

 of plank ; spike firmly both ways. This keeps your house 

 from spreading and is also your division. Take a 2 by 4 

 nine feet eight inches long, spike this at end of house, 

 away from door, between your 2 by 4 even with top of 

 plate. This piece stays in and keeps your end from 

 spreading and is also used to nail your end boards to 

 Now take two more 2 by 4, saw ten feet three inches long, 

 nail one in center of house to upright under plate, nail 

 14 



