stone vs. Wooden Walls 275 



mortar is largely dependent on the uniform 

 incorporation of the cement with the sand. 

 This mixing can be much more perfectly done 

 when the material is dry than after it is wet. 

 Other precautions are necessary. The mortar 

 should contain the minimum of water which 

 will permit it to work freely, and when the 

 mortar is used it should be solidified, that is, 

 pushed together by means of a trowel or by 

 the material which is laid upon it. In case of 

 cement or grout floors, the material should be 

 pounded thoroughly. The object of all this is 

 to compel each particle of sand to firmly touch 

 other particles. The tendency to "water-log" 

 mortar, to save labor in spreading it, is too 

 common. 



If, from any cause, the basement walls must 

 be largely of stone, the tendency for them to 

 gather moisture may be somewhat overcome by 

 plastering them with cement mortar, or studding 

 may be placed against the walls upon which 

 unmatched boards may be nailed (Fig. 104). 

 The warm air of the stable cannot then reach 

 the relatively cold walls, and little condensation 

 will appear on the boards, since they are always 

 more nearly the temperature of the stable than 

 are the stone. 



"Wooden basement walls are preferable in all 

 ways to those constructed of stone, grout or 



