Bond

—The method of laying brickwork or masonry so that the work becomes firm and stable, by proper use of stretchers and headers, and care that a vertical joint is covered by a solid center above or below. English bond consists of alternate courses of stretchers and headers; Flemish bond of stretchers and headers laid alternately in the same course, care being taken to break joint with the courses above and below; stretcher bond is used for half-brick walls or partitions, a header course of bats or half bricks being laid every few courses of stretchers, the same bond is used on nine and fourteen inch walls in cheap work, but if a substantial job is required there should be no more than three courses of stretchers for one of headers, and the breaking of joints must be carefully watched.