188 The Farmstead 



but little thicker than whitewash. This leaves 

 the wall smooth and nearly white. However, 

 many walls are now finished on the second coat 

 which is left level but rough, and may be tinted 

 by mixing coloring material with the mortar. 

 The quality of the wall depends largely upon the 

 mixing of the mortar and the amount of firm 

 troweling which it receives. The fewer interstices 

 between the particles of sand the better. Firm, 

 persistent troweling tends to reduce interstices, 

 and hence to make the wall firm and strong. 

 Plastered walls are much strengthened by being 

 painted, and wherever such painting is appropri- 

 ate, as in the bathroom, wardrobe, and kitchen, 

 they should receive two coats of light cream 

 color or other warm -colored paint. 



A new mixture, cement and hair, or wood- 

 fiber, has been put on the market, and is likely 

 to be used extensively, for when properh^ used a 

 stronger, harder, and more durable wall is se- 

 cured than by using the ordinary stone lime and 

 sand mortar. This cement is sold under a va- 

 riety of names, and is usually known by the 

 builders under the generic name, adamant or 

 adamant plaster. It is put up in barrel pack- 

 ages, and sells in central New York from $2 to 

 $2.50 per barrel, wholesale. It is mixed in 

 small quantities immediately before using, in the 

 proportion of one of cement to two of sharp 



