Two large 12-foot logs were chosen for the foundation logs at
the front and rear of the building. The logs were flattened along the
bottom so that they would have a firmer bearing on the ground, and
particularly on the corners, where they rested on foundation stones. Each
log was now notched about a foot from the ends. The notches were 8
inches long and about 2 inches deep. Care was taken to place those on one
log squarely opposite the notches on the other. A pair of 14-foot logs
were now laid across the foundation logs and rolled along them until
another half-turn would have dropped them into the notches (shown in
Fig. 266). Then notches were cut in the 14-foot logs to correspond, so that
when the final half-turn was given one notch would fit over the other,
making a mortise joint (Fig. 267). When the side logs were in position
notches were cut in their upper surface to receive a pair of 12-foot logs
which were rolled onto them, notched and dropped into place. Then
another pair of side logs were laid on, and so the work progressed. The
notches in each log were cut to a depth equal to one-quarter the diameter
of the log; that is, if the log was 8 inches in diameter the notch was made
2 inches deep, and if 6 inches in diameter it was cut to a depth of 1-1/2
inches.
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