The plate was tied so that the mortises of the plate would fit over the tenons of the posts once the plate was lifted high enough. If this doesn't happen, the plate needs to be turned in midair into the appropriate position. Besides getting the plate over the post tenons, there are four braces that need to be placed as well. The general procedure is to start on one side with one person guiding the plate into the post and his partner making sure that the brace falls into the right slot. When this is done the procedure follows its way down the plate until the opposite end is secure.
Nobody wants to work longer than necessary, but no one wants to make a mistake either.
The plate dropped into place with gravity doing most of the work. Eight crew members lift from above while others are hand lifting and using pike poles from down below. Photo of a plate being raised at Ray Stannard's farm, Newark Valley, taken in the early 1920's Next came the west plate. It could be brought to the top in three pieces. Before this was done, however, scaffolding needed to be brought to the opposite side.