Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades - Mechanic Yearbook (Media, PA)

Page 29 text:

igritklaping Eepartment T is thought by many that bricklaying is a trade which cannot be taught in a school. It is, therefore, my aim to give a short account of the way it is taught here at Williamson. Upon entering the school few of us had a very clear con- ception of what is required of a bricklayer and of the opportunities of the trade. ' From the beginning it was the purpose of our instructor to create in us an interest in our work. To do this it was only necessary for him to tell us of the success of many of the graduates and it was not long before we partially realized the desirability of the trade. The first few weeks were occupied in learning the uses of the trowel, spreading mortar, slaking lime, and making mortar. After learning the use of the trowel fairly well we started to build four-inch walls in stretch- ing bond, after which we were advanced step by step to thicker and higher walls built in the various bonds. These exercises, called bond exercises, varied in thickness from SZ inches to 252 inches. Following the bond exercises were the formation of flues by corbeling, the buiding of several kinds of chimney tops, also SM-inch and 13-inch house walls with window frames for practice in building them in properly and bringing full course of bricks level with tops. The next step in the course was the introduction of arch building, starting with simple segmental rollocks, having a small span, and followed by heavy arches with larger spans. Various kinds of cornices were then Josepn H. ELLIS built with interlacing, Gothic and semi-circular arches. From time to time Insffumf in Chef-se Of Department of throughout the course we built walls 50 feet long and longer, to acquire B ' kl ' . . nc aymg speed and to become accustomed to working with a gauge. In our Senior year we received considerable practical experience in house Work as we built several single and double dwellings one story high. These exercises involved the locating of plumber's chases, placing of furring strips, jamb blocks, washboard blocks, window frames, etc, Sev- eral designs of fireplaces were built, using red. Pompeian, and red rough-texture bricks. Exercises involving the setting of boilers were built in red and fire brick. ln addition to this we received considerable practice in repairing the furnaces under the boilers in the heating plant in use by the school. Much time and attention was . 23

Page 28 text:

In the Senior year the entire day is spent on the farm. Each Senior has charge of a different department cov- ering a period of four weeks. The posi- tions are as follows: Inspector, farm mechanic, teamster, poultryman, dairy- man, assistant dairyman, creainery man, swine herdsman, gardener and green-house man. Classes are held two nights a week and lectures are given by Mr. Burr on the subjects of farm management, parliamentary practice and rural law. Two nights a month are given to the members of the class, who talk on the subjects of farm tractors, draft horses, Creamery machinery, farm buildings, drainage, dairy equip- ment, artificial incubation, gardening and water-power on the farm. One night each month is given to the work of the 'Williamson School Agricultural Society, the members being the grad- uates of agriculture and the members of the Senior Class. . . Several trips were made to neighboring farmers during our Senior year. VV e also attended fairs, live stock, grain and poultry shows, institutes and plowing demonstrations with gas tractors: l ,The success of the graduates has proven to the members of the present Senior Class that if we shall have made the best use of our time while here we shall have no difficulty meeting the demands in the agricultural field. In behalf of the Class of Agriculture of 1917 I wish to thank Mr. I-Iarvey R. Burr, our instructor, and Mr. john Sheerin, the Farm Superintendent, for the interest that they have shown in our development during our apprenticeship at Williamson. VV- EARL ENGLAID JUDGING TEAM 22

Page 30 text:

paid to buttering work and we built several buttered exercises of white enameled brick, Pompeian and red brick. As an efficient bricklayer should have a good knowledge of concretmg we received much instruction in its use, the proper proportions of the materials used, the proper mixing and handling of the concrete, and the plac- ing and finishing of it. in our Freshman and Junior years we gained much experience in concrete paving by put-- ting down pavements around Second A and Third B cottages. We also put down a curb and gutter along the drive to the station and on both sides of the drive to the President's house. We acquired a good knowledge of street paving by paving the drive along the shops, to and around the kitchen, and along the east side of the Main Building. In our Senior year much experience was obtained in the erection of a new foundry for the school's use, which included the setting and lining of a cupola. Instruction is given on each exercise before We start it, attention being directed to the main and new feature of the exercise. Short shop talks are given each day in reference to Work to be done, and errors made the pre- , ceding day are discussed. We receive 4 instruction in the making and reading Q I' of drawings and blue-prints. Thus we are able to go about our work in a more intelligent way. All exercises are built from drawings after explana- tion of same has been given. We are also taught estimating which includes stone, brickworlc, concreting, and plastering. In closing, I wish to say in be- half of the bricklaying division of the Class of 1916, we extend to Messrs. Samuel H. George and joseph H. Ellis our many thanks for their thor- ough instrnction and interest in our progress during our stay at VVilliam- son. Ji. SENIOR BRICKLAYERS 21