All bearing walls should have footings sufficient in width and depth to carry the weight of the building (see fig. 7), excavate and put in the footings before setting forms for the walls. The forms for a concrete wall are commonly made of board moulds. There are different ways in which these forms may be built. We will give one of the most practical ways for a basement wall. This method will work for any wall.

Cut 2x4's the length required for partition studs of the building and use them for the upright supports of the basement wall. Plumb down from the grade or wall line at the corners and drive a stake directly under the top wall lines. From these stakes draw a line to set the bottom of the forms plumb with the top line, cut enough sheeting boards of equal length to make a section of forms from the bottom of the basement to the top of the wall; set the corner studding the thickness of the sheeting outside of the wall line; stake and nail the bottom and brace the top two ways to keep the corners plumb. Nail a board flush with this studding on the inside at the bottom, and set another studding, centered on the end of this board, plumbed and braced at the top and staked at the bottom the same as the corner studding. Then nail another board of this section at the top temporarily on which to space and set the other studs of this section. The studs should be spaced not more than 2 1/2' apart. (See fig. 6a.)

From this section measure to the opposite corner and cut enough boards of this length to make another section to finish the outside of the wall. Space and set studs as in first section. Continue this method on each of the outside walls. Cut No. 11 wires long enough to span around the studs of the inside and outside forms; place one around each stud above the first board of the outside wall and about 2' above this as the form is sheeted. When the inside form is placed and sheeted, they can be easily attained and tied. Cut l"xl" spreaders the length of desired thickness of the wall (fig. 6). Cut the boards for the inside sections, using the same method as for the outside, placing studding directly opposite the outside studding, except at the corners (fig. 6b).

Fig. 6

Set the end of the first section in from the outside wall 7/8" more than the length of the spreader to allow for sheeting of returning forms, then place another spreader between the two forms near the bottom of the form, loop the wire around the studs above the first board, tie and twist the wire to hold the spreader and form in place.

Nail temporary ties at the top to stay the inside form to the outside, the thickness of the wall, measure from this section to opposite corner allowing for thickness of wall and return sheeting the same as the first. corner, keeping the wall of the same thickness. Cut enough boards of one length for this section and set the studs as before. Continue this method around the inside of the wall. Place a spreader between the forms at each stud, where the wires were placed, in the outside walls as the sheeting progresses. Draw them tight and tie on the edge of the studdings; with a bolt or spike twist the wires taut enough to hold the spreaders in place; continue this method until completed. Nail the boards with 6d nails, vice versa, every other stud. Continuing this process to the top of the wall, lay a 2x4 flat on the ground against the studdings and stake firmly to straighten the forms and hold them in place, also nail a 2x4 near the top of the form for the same purpose. Brace every other studding to hold form in place. Leave top wall line in place until all walls are straightened and braced. (See fig. 6.)