106 SKETCHES OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 



rial of the barn-floor is a matter of great importance, 

 and differs according to the judgment of the owner. 

 Compositions of an earthy kind are sometimes used, as 

 are floors of brick or stone ; nothing, however, can 

 be superior, if equal, to a sound oaken floor, for this 

 is close, firm, and strong, while, if properly laid, it 

 is also the most secure from damp. Perhaps the best 

 kind of earthen floor is that made in some parts of 

 Gloucestershire, in the following manner : the surface 

 of the intended threshing-floor is first dug out to the 

 depth of six inches or thereabouts ; the earth thus 

 taken out is well cleared of stones, and mixed with very 

 stiff clay, and with the dung of cattle. The whole is 

 then worked with water until it is formed into a stiff 

 mortar : it is then spread as smoothly as possible with 

 a trowel, on the spot from which the earth was taken. 

 In the course of drying, numerous cracks appear, but 

 these must be filled up and got rid of by frequent and 

 powerful beatings of the floor, or by the continued 

 action of a heavy roller ; when this is properly attended 

 to, the floor becomes perfectly smooth and compact, and 

 in dryness and solidity can scarcely be surpassed. It is 

 in all respects superior to brick and stone, and yields 

 only to oak-plank in those qualities which are so much 

 prized in a barn-floor. Yet unless made with care, 

 earthen floors are by no means desirable ; the small 

 cracks and crevices which sometimes occur in them, 

 harbour insects to a very injurious extent ; and if the 

 floor once becomes damp, a serious mischief is done to 

 the wheat. Asphalte, a material now coming much 

 into use for pavements, will probably be employed also 

 for barn-floors. In most respects it seems admirably 

 adapted to the purpose, but there would be one defi- 

 ciency still ; it would not have that pliability or elas- 

 ticity which makes the floor of oak so pleasant to work 

 upon. A thoroughly well-made floor of oak is, after all, 

 the perfection of a barn-floor. It is made of good sea- 

 soned planks, accurately measured, the edges shot true, 



