292 The Farmstead 



it is probable that the plank frame will become 

 as common in the near future, in barn build- 

 ing, as the balloon frame is in house building. 

 It is frequently convenient to place 

 horses or other animals on the second 

 floor above other animals, or above a 

 covered yard, in which case a tight 

 Fig 112. floor may be made as follows (Fig. 

 Built-up post. 113): Lay an unmatched, rough inch 

 floor ; upon this place strong, tarred building- 

 paper, with joints well lapped. Saw and 

 prepare the 2 -inch planks which are to form 

 the floors. For every four hundred square feet 

 of floor, procure one barrel of hard Trinidad 

 asphalt and three gallons of gas tar. A large 

 iron kettle may be used for heating and mixing 

 the material, which should be in the proportion 

 of about one to ten. With an ax remove the 

 barrel, and chop oft' and place in the kettle 

 pieces of asphalt until it is not much more 

 than one -half full, then add the due propor- 

 tion of gas tar. The kettle should be placed 

 in a rude arch and at a little distance from 

 the building. By means of a slow fire heat 

 the material. When all is ready, dip the hot 

 mixture into a galvanized iron pail and pour 

 it in a small stream on the paper, spreading 

 to the width of the plank intended to be laid, 

 by means of a shingle or paddle. Lay the 



