1920.] The Modern Cottage: Experiments in I'isk. 533 



conclusions can yet be given in regard to them. As a result of 

 the experiments it is proposed to try two I'mms of rendering < n 

 the cottages built, one of lime and san<l, and the other of a 

 proprietory bituminous material. 



(e) Building in the Winter. — The cottage erected at Amesbury is 

 proof that, given sufficient protection from severe weather, 

 building in pise can be carried on during the winter months. 

 The expense of providing screens and tarpaulins, and the labour 

 charges involved in moving them on and oil' the work as d< maueVd 

 by weather conditions, goes to prove, however, that it is J I 

 sound economy to undertake pise construction during the winter 

 season. 



(f) Cost in Comparison with Brickwork. — The cost of the first pis6 

 single two-storey cottage at Amesbury, when complete with all 

 finishings and fittings, will not, it is estimated, show an 

 appreciable saving over a similar cottage in brickwork. It must 

 be remembered, however, that this cottage was the basis of all 

 the experimental work ; that the brick foundations were carried 

 to an unnecessary height, as is now recognised ; that there were 

 difficulties and delays in arriving at a satisfactory form of 

 shuttering ; that further delay and expense were incurred by 

 building in the winter ; and that the workmen employed had to 

 gain their practical experience on the work. 



Work on the pair of two storey cottages in progress is 

 proceeding smoothly now that the preliminary difficulties have 

 been surmounted ; and the careful costings kept in regard to all 

 the building work show that pise walls, using ordinary building 

 labour, can be constructed at a cost of 15s. per yard super, as 

 against 25s. per yard super, for 11-inch hollow brick walls. 

 These figures are calculated on pise walls 18 inches thick on 

 lower floor and 14 inches above (average 1G inches), with labour 

 at Is. 3d. per hour produeing 1 foot cube of finished wall per 

 hour as against brickwork eosting £5G 13s. 4d. per rod. The 

 cost of scaffolding is not taken into account in these figures, but 

 would bo less with pise than brick. 



The nature of the foundations is a considerable factor in 

 the ultimate cost of pise building. It is considered that the pise 

 work may be begun at 9 inches to 1 foot above ground level ; 

 below the level, brick, stone or concrete must be employed.'' 



As regards soil, the material used at Amesbury was approxi- 

 mately a 2 to 1 chalk and earth mixture, both ingredients being 

 immediately available on the site. The inconvenience of chalk 

 is that it absorbs moisture, and unless this property is checked 

 by the use of a good skin of some sort, trouble from frost is 

 likely to be experienced. As, however, such buildings will 

 ordinarily be completed and covered in before winter, the danger 

 is more theoretical than real. 



The Newlands Cottage had no more elaborate covering than a 



c 



