Common Methods of Corner Notching in Log Construction

Originating from the quadrant courtyards of German monasteries, the Pennsylvania German four-square kitchen gardens were divided into an even number of garden beds, usually four. They were raised, and divided by narrow paths. The garden was always fenced, with a pale or picket fence, allowing a free flow of air but keeping unwanted animals out.
The prime function of the raised beds was easy drainage and accelerated warming of the soil, producing earlier crops. The "kitchen garden" was close to the kitchen door and near a ready water supply.
Garden crops (peas, onions, lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, radish, lovage) as opposed to field crops (cabbage, potatoes, turnips, etc.) provided at least two crops per year. The most common seasonings were parsley, sage and dill. Many of the herbs were also used for medicinal purposes.
Flowers, per se, had no place in the kitchen garden, although some plants we consider ornamental were grown for their food value. Nasturtium buds were pickled to use as a caper substitute, "Pot Marigolds" eaten as a vegetable, and the "stinky flower," french marigolds were grown among beans to repel beetles.
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Common Methods



of Corner Notching in Log Construction
Saddle · "V" · Full Dovetail · Half Dovetail · Corner Post · Square
· split-log house (flat inside) round on outside
chinked with "Wattle" (twigs and clay)
· V-notch
· corner post
· square notched, square-hewn logs
"chink-slabs" over the cracks
· flat-hewn dove tail
· saddle-notched (upper log grooved)
chinked with "Wattle" (twigs and clay)
· half dove-tail

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