248 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



suffered in consequence. The whole of the outside ought to 

 be finished before the time of the fall rains, and especially the 

 grading which is to turn the water from the building. 



The last subject to which I will refer is that which relates 

 to the cost. This, of course, varies in different localities, ac- 

 cording to the price of lime, the facilities afforded for obtain- 

 ing gravel and stones, and the price of labor. I used the Pitts- 

 field and South Adams lime, at an expense of about two dollars 

 per cask. My gravel I was obliged to draw one-fourth of a 

 mile. The stones were obtained in clearing the surface of the 

 farm. The labor was all done by ordinary farm hands, no 

 masons being employed except in putting on the finishing coat. 

 My estimate of cost does not exceed five cents per cubic foot 

 for the rough wall, and from one and a half cents upward per 

 superficial foot for the covering, according to the kind of mate- 

 rial and style of workmanship. This makes a saving of at 

 least one-half as compared with wood, in the ordinary style of 

 finishing a dwelling house ; and it would not differ materially 

 from the cost of barn walls well boarded and matched or bat- 

 tened. As compared with brick, by which it is not surpassed 

 in any respect, there is a saving in expense of from two-thirds 

 to three-fourths of the entire cost, so far as regards the walls. 



The composition and style of finish of the outside coat may 

 be varied according to the taste or means of the owner. Or- 

 dinary plastering mortar costs perhaps the least, is quite dura- 

 ble, and by a little skill may be made to look like hammered 

 granite. A coat of water cement resembles sandstone. Hard 

 finish may be made to imitate marble. Mastic cement, although 

 rather expensive, makes a very durable and beautiful finish, re- 

 sembling some of the best specimens of sandstone. 



As no mere statement of this kind will enable any one to 

 judge fully of the character of the work, or to gain much infor- 

 mation of the detail of its construction, I would invite the com- 

 mittee, and all others interested, to visit and examine the build- 

 ings at any time when it may meet their collective or individual 

 convenience. The location is a mile and a half northerly from 

 the village in Fitchburg. 



