commodious Houses with Earthen Walls, 26f 



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

 make it adhere together, under the pressure of the thumb 

 jand 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 vnch and a 

 Jialf when compressed bv ramming. 



The rammer X should not be more than half an inch 

 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. 



Tn making the walls, about three inches in thickness 

 of loose earth should be put in each course, which done, 

 the 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 filled 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 pne 

 inch and a half in thickness. The common facing stuff is 

 composed 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 sort of facing stutf may have a small quantity 

 more of lime in it. 



The foundation should be of brick or stone, carried up 

 nine inches above the ground ; and if a plinth is to be shown, 

 then one course above the same should be of brick or stone, 

 to prevent the water that might lodge on the plinth from 

 damaging the earth wall. 



The proper season for performing this work is any time 

 that the earth is to be procured sufficiently dry for the pur- 

 pose; the more early in the season the better, in order to 

 give it time to dry before finishing, or if late it would be ad- 

 viseable not to finish till the year after it is built. 



Windows and doors may be left in the walls wherever 

 wanted, by fixing the head of the moulds and carrying up 

 quoins to form the same: in erecting which some bond tim- 

 ber should be laid in coarse moi tar and rammed in with the 

 earth. Lintels may also be laid at the proper height. This 

 intthod ig cheapest, where only one window or door of a 



size 



