Specifications for Constructing a 24 - 
Hen “Rancocas” Utility House 
General 
The site selected for the house should be in the back yard, wherever 
convenient. The front should face the south as nearly as possible. The 
location should not be in a hollow place, where surface water will collect and 
form a pool, but should be as high and dry as circumstances will permit. 
In these specifications we have specified mostly hemlock. If, however, 
you can purchase other lumber more cheaply, you may use it. 
Foundation 
Should you desire to build a concrete foundation, first stake out the 
dimensions according to the measurements on the plan in Fig. 1. Then 
excavate a trench 9 inches wide and deep enough to extend below the 
frost line, which, in a cold climate, will be anywhere from 1 foot to 2 feet 
deep in sandy soil, and from 2 to 3 feet deep in clay soil. Have the bottom 
of the trench level all around. 
Now box in the trench with wood, thoroughly bracing it on the sides 
to make a “form” to receive the concrete. Make the top of the box level 
wdth the point intended for the wall head, allowing 7 inches for the thick¬ 
ness of the wall. The level of the wall head should be 3 inches above the 
ground at its highest point. 
Mix 1 part of Portland cement with 3 parts of clean sharp sand and 
4 parts of clean gravel, cinders, or broken stone. Mix these thoroughly 
in a dry condition—then add water and mix thoroughly with a shovel to 
the required consistency. 
Dump the concrete into the trench, stamping it thoroughly. Once 
you have begun this work, do not stop until the cement is all in and the 
top of the wall head smoothed down to a level. Leave the forms up till 
the cement is hard. Then remove them and proceed to lay the cement floor. 
Level the ground inside the walls 3 inches below the wall heads, tamp¬ 
ing the ground thoroughly. Then cover the ground with two-ply tar 
paper. Now mix some more cement concrete in the proportion specified 
and spread it on top of the tar paper to a depth of 2^ inches. Stamp it 
solidly in place and bring it to a level surface. 
Walls 
Lay a hemlock 2X4 sill all around the wall head, making the outer 
edge of the sill flush with the outer face of the foundation. Halve and 
spike the sills thoroughly at the corners. 
Location 
Concrete 
Cement Floor 
Sills 
17 
