Since wood always fails first at the ground, the use of concrete on
the farm has developed from the ground up. After a farmer has had to
replace several sills or blocks of wood, he begins to look about him
for a new material which will not rot or will not have to be replaced.
Concrete is his natural selection.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
Support the building by temporary struts, alongside of the post to be
removed. Saw off post entirely above rotten part. Dig a hole directly
under the post 2 feet deep, and slightly larger than the post itself.
Build a box with sides only, with the same inside measurement as the
hole already dug. The box must be long enough to reach from the ground
to a few inches above the bottom of post.
Fill hole with concrete, mixed 1: 2: 4. Then place the box in
position, and fill it with concrete until the bottom of the sawed-off
post is embedded about ½ an inch in the mixture. Leave the forms in
place for one week and after two weeks remove the struts which have
been used as temporary support for the building. The concrete should be
mixed fairly wet, and churned with a stick while being placed.
The bottom of the foundation may be made larger than the top, by simply
sloping one side of the box form—giving the effect shown in the
photograph.