36 ASPHALTE FLOORING. 
asphalte cools, so as to consolidate the structure as 
much as possible. 
_ Melt another boilerful of medium bitumen, if for 
imside work, or soft, if for outside, and when melted 
add fully its own weight of dried sand. Stir well 
while doing so, and the produce will be a thick viscid 
mass. Lay down your straight-edges upon the under 
coat (now perfectly hard), so as to enclose such a 
space as the contents of the boiler are likely to cover. 
Ladle these contents into the cans, and empty them 
smartly, beginning from one corner across the floor; 
spread evenly, about three-fourths of an inch thick ; 
and, when one strip is finished, begin again at the 
first, ere it has time to harden. This upper coat will 
incorporate thoroughly with the one below, and so wil: 
each canful with its predecessor. Dust the surface 
immediately with a mixture of ground chalk or éried 
whitening and finely-sifted sand; or, if the floor be 
wished rough, use coarsely-sifted sand alone. As the 
asphalte cools, clap and rub up the surface, so as to 
expel air-bubbles and remove wrinkles, and render all 
firm and smooth, As it hardens, rub still more firmly 
and rapidly. 
When the asphalte flag is broad, a plank must be 
laid across it about six inches from the surface, upon 
which one of the assistants can go upon his knees 
and rub it over everywhere. 
Single-coated asphalte may do for barn floors and 
other places subjected to the common wear and tear 
of foot traffic. 
The under-coat of asphalte is thus dispensed with. 
Medium bitumen is used if for inside work—soft, if 
for outside; and when melted it is mixed with its own 
weight of dried sand, stirred well, and spread out 
upon the broken metal, which may be an inch shal- 
lower than in the case of double-coated work. Part 
of the asphalte sinks among the stones, and binds 
them well together, but the greater part remains on 
the surface, and may be spread about three fourths 
ot an inch thick, and dusted and iubbed up same as 
in double-coated work. 
The irons should be placed straight on the broken 
metal, levelled carefully, and fixed firmly down, A 
smart stroke will bring them away when the flag has 
cooled, and then it will present a clean and square 
edge, against which a second flag may be laid, and 
will adhere closely. The seams or joints may be soft- 
ened either by a chauffer or a, red hot-iron held over 
it. (but not in contact), dusted with the chalk, pared 
carefully with the edge of the rubber, and pressed 
and vigorously rubbed, after which the joining will 
scarcely be seen, Before laying one dag against an- 
