New Building Material. 291 



The mode, as I practised it in 1848, for making concrete build- 

 ings, and the one then stated to Mr. Fowler, had its objections. 



By snch mode it was quite difficult to keep the walls straight 

 and perpendicular ; to set the door and window frames, and keep 

 them in their true position until the walls were hard ; also to 

 keep the moulds in their places, as well as to raise them when 

 filled without injury to the walls ; and to protect the walls from 

 storms while in the process of being constructed. 



But I have since discovered a remedy for some of these difficul- 

 ties in the construction of concrete houses ; and in order to com- 

 pare or cmitrast the concrete with sand brick, as a valuable and 

 cheap material for building, I will give you the plan. 



In the first place, put up what is called a balloon frame, with a 

 double row of studding (at any desirable distance apart j on the 

 outside ; and put in all of the door and window frames, and 

 make them fast to the studding. 



Spike all of the joice to the studding, to keep everything in 

 its place, and the building stifi" and perpendicular. Put on the 

 roof at ofl.ee, which will shelter the walls from injury- by rain, while 

 being moulded, and allow the moulding to progress even in damp 

 or wet weather. 



With some hand-screws or other device fasten some boards 

 (say one foot wide) to the outside of this double row of studding, 

 and fill the space between with this mortar, or concrete material. 

 The distance between the rows of studding determines the thick- 

 ness of the walls. 



As soon as the mortar is set in the moulds loosen the screws ; 

 raise the moulds, and fill again, until the walls arc completed. 



The studding will, in most places, cost no more than the mor- 

 tar to fill the space, while they keep the walls straight and per- 

 pendicular, and prevent their falling by their own weight before 

 being fully set or dry. When the walls are dry, the studding will 

 do no good or harm. 



The outside of the building should be covered with a good 

 stucco, and blocked ofi' in imitation of granite, marble, or free- 

 stone, to suit the taste of the proprietor. 



The mortar for the concrete should be made of good clear gra- 

 vel and sand, with only lime sufficient to fill the spaces in 

 the sand. Too much lime weakens the concrete, wliile a want of 



