of making Garden Walls. 213 



being in the ventilation, for which there is no provision except the 

 chimneys. Workmen are so fond of surrounding themselves with 

 the fragrance of tobacco and other vapours, that the providing ot 

 some small aperture for the escape of heated and foul air near the 

 ceiling is very desirable. The buildings are fireproof, in conse- 

 quence of the layer of concrete on the floors. The facility and ease 

 with which these buildings are erected is quite exceptional. The 

 mode of constructing the walls is that of Mr. Tall, an Englishman, 

 and deserves the attention of all interested in the matter. Not 

 only rough, useless gravel may be utilized in the erection, but 

 common burnt brick-earth or ' ballast' does equally well, and that 

 is made ready for use by having the very fine sifted out of the rest j 

 it is mixed with about one portion of Portland cement to eight of 

 ballast. The great masses of clinkers that are thrown out from the 

 furnaces in the manufacturing districts as useless are about the very 

 best thing that could be employed for this purpose, not to mention 

 other things to be had for nothing, or almost nothing. The rent 

 is not settled yet, and I forget the anticipated amount, but it is 

 something surprisingly low, considering the convenience of the 

 apartments. The windows opening on the staircase, &c., are made 

 with an iron ornamental grating on the outside, so that the glass 

 may be removed in early summer without difficulty, and re- 

 placed in the winter when the cold comes ; and this affords a good 

 plan of cooling and ventilating the houses in the hot weather. 

 Though so simple in design, the houses are as pretty as could be 

 desired for the purpose, the contrast between the grated windows 

 and the plain offering some variety j and when the little colony is 

 completed there are about forty houses constructed and construct- 

 ing here it will look quite smart. There has been some doubt 

 expressed as to the stability of these walls ; but, upon examination, 

 they seem as hard as stone itself. This kind of structure may be 

 put up much cheaper than the cheapest brickwork j when plastered 

 over, it looks as well as any other, and has advantages for resisting 

 wet or damp not possessed by one of bricks. Its merits are worthy 

 the attention of all interested in the matter of providing decent 



