BUILDINGS IN INDIA. 381 



the three first days you divide the lime, giving a part each day 

 with a little shell lime mixed with water. — It is now ready to 

 be carried up to the root', where it is to be expeditiously spread 

 in the shape you want it, and the beating business commences. 

 On a small roof you must employ at least fifty people, women 

 and children will answer, with a few bricklayers, constantly, 

 to see that the materials are laying right. They must all sit 

 down on any thing you find convenient, and continue beating 

 sharply and hard for three days, with a piece of wood about 

 three by two inches thick, and sixteen inches long, handle and 

 all, shaped, thus, 



The substance must be constantly wetted, taking care that 

 the lime be not washed out. At the end of three days, the hard 

 beating must be abated (as the work is beginning to set) and 

 the watering diminished. 



For two days more, the beating must be only a little constant 

 patting, very light, but the fourth day, all the rough face must 

 be filled up with bits of brick, not more than half a cubic inch 

 in size, with the fine dust sifted out; this last must be well mix- 

 ed with lime, one third its quantity, and rubbed with plenty 

 of water all over the terrace, and a little shell lime added ; while 

 this is thin and soft, the beating must be constant, but very light, 

 merely paddling in it with the beaters; as it becomes dry, the 

 beating may be increased to a tolerable sharp blow, constantly 

 filling up every inequality. The sixth day, the surface must be 

 covered with fine brick dust and lime, as before, and the padd- 

 ling or gentle beating recommenced, adding a little of the juice 

 of the sugar cane, or you may use molasses. At nine days end 

 it ought to be finished, but you had better, in your climate, 

 continue it thirteen days, as patience in this case will afterwards 

 reward you. If it should rain often it will make the business 

 more tedious, and if the rain be heavy you must cover the work 

 with something, or the lime will be washed out. When the 

 beaters rebound from the terrace as if they struck stone, and 

 the sound is clear, you may conclude it is done. 



