

COMMODIOUS HOUSES WITH EARTHEN WALLS. {>3 



the corner of his rammer, in ramming home to the upright 

 joints, cut down a little of that part of the wall, up to 

 which he works; this will make the upright joints key toge- 

 ther, and unite in a solid manner. Having thus proceeded 

 and got up the walls, the next thing will be to stop the bolt 

 holes, with mortar made } lime and J earth the same as the 

 wall. 



The earth proper for this work should be neither sand nor Earth proper 

 clay, but partaking of both. Clay is particularly objection- for the P ur - 

 able, as is also chalk, or calcareous earth of any sort. Sand 

 is also not proper, unless accompanied with some binding 

 quality : the bolder and coarser the sort of earth the better. 

 When used, it should retain no more moisture than just to 

 make it adhere together, under the pressure of the thumb 

 and finger. Notwithstanding earths bordering on sand ap- 

 pear to make the strongest work, nevertheless good earths 

 may often be found in parts that do not abound with sand. 

 Those that abound with a mixture of grit or fine gravel are 

 generally the best. Having provided proper earth, as much 

 should be put in each layer as to form about an inch and 

 half when compressed by ramming. 



The rammer X should not be more than half an inch The rammer, 

 wide on the edge, in order that it may more forcibly com- 

 press every part of the earth, which a flat rammer would 

 not do so well. 



In making the walls, about three inches in thickness of Composition 

 loose earth should be put in each course, which done, the of tixe wal1 * 

 same, by means of a trowel made for the purpose, is drawn 

 back and cleared from the face of the wall, and the space 

 then tilled up with the facing composition, forming on an 

 average about one inch in thickness; the whole then is firmly 

 rammed, (in which, and properly preparing the facing 

 stuff, much depends the perfection of the work,) till it is 

 quite hard, when it will be compressed to about one inch 

 and a half in thickness. The common facing stuff is com- 

 posed of lime one part, and earth, the same sort as used for 

 walling, three parts. The lime and earth mixed and slacked 

 together, the same as for mortar. The more it is slacked 

 and wetted the better, provided time can be allowed for it 

 again to dry and pulverize, so as to be fit for ramming. The 



better 



