1921. J Modern Cottage of Chalk and Cement. 1011 



4 to 1 as against 5 to 1 in 1919. During the last twelve months 

 the cost of both cement and labour has risen considerably, 

 even over the figure for 1919, and the present prices are quite 

 beyond what the writer can afford from the income of the 

 estate. The making of these blocks in this locality has in 

 consequence ceased. Chalk and cement have, however, been 

 used in repairing cottages originally built of lime mortar 

 plaster. 



Year. Size of Blocks. Construction Ratio. Cement per ton 



Chalk. Cement. at Works. 



1904 18 in. x 9 in. x 6 in. 4 1 25s. 6d. 



1907 18 in. x 9 in. x 6 in. 4 1 16s. 6d. 



1919 18 in. x 9 in. x 5^ in. 5 1 67?. 0.1. 



Haulage 14 Miles. Total Cost per Ton. 



1904 os. 6d. 31s. Od. 



1907 5s. 6d. 22s. Od. 



1919 12s. 0d. 79s. Od. 



Labour per 100 Cost of Cement Total Cost 



Blocks. per 100 Blocks. per 100. 



1904 12s. 6d. 17s. Id. 29s. 7d. 



1907 — 12s. 6d. — 



1919 21s. Od. 39s. 6d. 60s. 6d. 



Fig. 5 shows a cottage in which the original plaster has been 

 entirely taken aw T ay at the ends, both inside and out, and 

 rebuilt with chalk and cement without the use of any other 

 material, such as hair or lime. This alteration was made in 



1920. Previous work done on these lines has been found to 

 answer well. 



The blocks can be made by unskilled labour. The only 

 material required in the way of plant is a few floor boards 

 clamped together with wooden clamps, and wood partitions of 

 the size of the end of the blocks. The process of manufacture 

 is extremely simple. Chalk is run through a 1-inch sieve 

 and mixed in a heap with cement and a little water. The 

 whole is then well stirred with a shovel, and the mixture, 

 in its damp state, is placed in moulds, and floated off with a 

 trowel. When the mixture has set sufficiently, the clamps are 

 taken off the moulds, and the blocks are then packed up 

 to dry out. The drying takes about two or three weeks. 

 The amount of water which should be added to the chalk 

 and cement before the mixture is placed in moulds can be 

 accurately gauged after a little experience. The mixture 

 should be in a pliable state; if too much water is added, it 

 takes longer to dry off, but otherwise no harm is done. 



The blocks have always been made quite in the open. During 

 frosty weather it is necessary to suspend operations, as the 



