Traegerwellblech and Asphalt. 81 



fell into desuetude, however, with many other arts and 

 inventions, and has only been resuscitated forty years ago. 

 Referring to our illustrations, Fig. 14 gives two different modes 

 of uniting the asphalt plates; in most instances the method x 

 will be found to suffice. The plates generally have a length of 

 12 feet, a width of 2 feet 8 inches, and a thickness of J to 

 -J inch. The overlapping joints are firmly united by means 

 of asphalt in the fluid form, and the entire exterior surface 

 is treated in the manner previously indicated. 



Fig. 15 shows a method of applying the plates in order to 

 get dry rooms in fortifications. 



Fig. 16 shows a section trough and a portion of a bridge. I 

 cannot restrain, in passing, from making a brief reference to 

 the great necessity of protecting the bearing surfaces of 

 these important and costly structures from the effects pro- 

 duced in many ways from the penetration of water. 



Fig. 17 shows in what manner a cottage in a low-lying 

 locality may be insulated from moisture. 



Fig. 18 shows a brick-kiln protected in like manner. This 

 insulation is very important in this case, in order to get well- 

 burned bricks. 



Fig. 19 shows in which way any foundation may be pro- 

 tected by the interposition cf a substratum of this invalu- 

 able material. 



Fig. 20 depicts the roof of a cotton factory made of the 

 asphalt plates as a precaution against fire. The entire roof- 

 area forms a permanent water reservoir. Should fire arise in 

 a,ny part of the building, the quenching of it is palpably a 

 matter of instantaneous accomplishment. 



Asphalt bricks. — This item may be dismissed with the 

 remark that, with the exception of watercourses and forti- 

 fications, asphalt bricks meet with little favour. The cost 

 of freight will prohibit their use here, and I much doubt 

 their ever attaining to any marked degree of popularity, 

 although they could be employed with great advantage for 

 grain stores. 



Having thus brought the functions of two new and 

 genuine kinds of building materials under review, I trust to 

 have awakened sufficient interest in your minds to encourage 

 their introduction in this town. Investors have a right to 

 expect that the best available known means shall be adopted 

 to ensure a dry and fireproof building ; and the community 

 in general have a right to demand the framing of such by- 

 laws as shall bring about a radical change in the present 



