March 2, 1891.] 
THF TROPICAL AORICULTURIST. 
<337 
MATERIALS FOR ROOF COYERIKG. 
We have been asked to which of the sevenil 
materials available for covering the roofs of I'csidences 
in Ceylon, preference should be given if it were 
entirely a matter of choice. It must be 
admitted to be diflicult to arrive at any 
decision such as would enable a positive answer 
to be given to such a question, The^ selection 
must be dependent on many varying con- 
ditions , chief among these being the character of 
the climate in which the residence might be 
situated. Such conditions as they exist between 
a lowoountry and an upcountry residence differ 
considerably, and even if a decision could be 
arrived at subject to such variance, there_ may 
be the further point to enter into calculation as 
to the resources of the district in which such 
residence may lie. 
When writing some time back on the subject 
of the half-round tiles which are so largely 
used, we entered fully into the many objec- 
tions to be taken against them. Theoretically, some 
authorities are of opinion that for very many reasoris 
the flat roofs so largely employed throughout India 
and the East generally have much, owing to the 
character they possess of permanence, to recom- 
mend them over every other description of roofing. 
But, practically, these roofs are insufferably hot. 
There is no space between their flat surface ex- 
posed to a burning sun and the living rooms 
below in which a circulation of air may be main- 
tained, and it is held that this disadvantage counter- 
balances every preference which may for other 
reasons be accorded to them. We may, therefore, 
for our present purpose, leave roofs of this character 
out of consideration. 
But when we turn to other methods of covering 
our dwellings, wo cannot decide upon one which 
is wholly free from objection. The objection taken 
in regard to half-round tiling, or, indeed, to earthen 
tiling of any description, has been dealt with on 
a previous occasion. Slate is far too costly a 
material to receive general adoption here ; but many 
consider it is open to fewer objections than almost 
any other roofing. Slate is light, the thinness 
of it does not admit of the great retention of 
heat which is such an objection to earthenware tiles 
of any kind, and once fixed it is less likely to 
become disturbed than almost any other covering. 
Corrugated zinc is disapproved of from its heat- 
conducting properties, from its liability to corro- 
sion when exposed to soa a’r, and, when used up 
in the hill country, to the intense cold it both 
accepts and transmits. The relatively large 
sheets also render it liable to stripping in the 
case of exceptional winds. Shingles, while admir- 
able in many respects, are from their lightness 
and diflicnlty of fixing, also in seme districts 
liable to take to partial flight during the same 
natural disturbing cause • but the difficulty now 
is to get a supply of really good shingles. Straw 
thatch would be perfect as a protection against 
either heat or cold, but it so rapidly decays as 
to need constant renewal, and in its dry state is 
H.ablo to ignition and gives rise to dirt and the har- 
bouring of vermin. 
Many old colonists who have had experience all 
over the island consider that for the acme of 
comfort so long ns it can bo properly maintained, 
there is nolliing like a well-made oadjan thatching. 
This is light and it is both warm or cool as 
occasion or ciroumstanocs require. But, unfortu- 
nately, it has no permanoivje, and is besides 
open to the objection expressed to straw-thatching, 
that of liability to take fire. The man who 
by a msihod of steeping in somo ohomioal 
80 
igneous material could both obviate the liability 
and arrest the rapidity of decay in the plaited 
coconut laaves known as cadjans, would, in the 
opinion of very many, confer a speoial benefit on 
residents in tropical countries, and one too that 
ought to benefit the discoverer and patentee. It 
seems unfortunate that, with suoh an urrlimited 
supply of the raw material as we possess in 
Ceylon, such means have as yet remained undis- 
covered. Who will be first in the field ? 
Meantime we are aware that on upcountry 
estates an experiment is being tried with shingles 
made of the giant bambu. The large stalks are 
split in two, the inside divisions are cleared away, 
the bambu is cut into proper lengths and these 
ate tarred and fixed on the roof. In the earthquake 
region of Western Java houses are built entirely 
of bambu and roofed with plaited sections of ruyra 
palm leaf, the nijya being the rjinpol of the Sinhalese, 
known to the English as “the water coconut." 
The late Mr. Moens was much surprised, as well 
he might be, that the bambu was not more 
utilized in the construction of native houses in 
Ceylon than is actually the case. 
Since writing the above wo have received the 
opinion of a practical engineer of much local ex- 
perience in favour of what are known as Mangaloro 
tiles. He writes ; — 
“Undoubtedly the best all round material for the 
covering of roofs whether for the hill or low country is 
the Mangaloro or Oa'iont tiles. These tiles are made 
of the best clay, are W'ell burnt, of good shape and 
make, and just heavy enough to keep steady under 
pressure without the aid of weighting down. The 
Mangalore tiles are nou-porous aud weather-proof and 
maintiiii an even temperature : they are so cleanly 
made that ceilings are uot required in ordinary rooms. 
As regards cost, the Mangalore tiled roofing with the 
woodwork complete costs about R4 per square over and 
above the cost for the ordinary half tiled roofing in 
Colombo. The tiles are more expensive per thousand, 
but there is a saving in timber in their favour. 
“ Many buildings have of recent years been covered 
with Mangalore tiles in aud around Colombo, and 
their use is being gradually extended through agencies 
in Co'ombo and Kandy. 
“The subject of material for roof. covering is one that 
should engage the attention of those interested in the 
Technical Institute. This interest might take a practi- 
cal form by the introduction of improvements in 
the preparation of clay for the manufacture of tiles 
tor roofing, as also in the preparation of canstio 
tiled pavements and term cotta ornaments for archi' 
tectural and decorative purposes. 
“ There is indeed in this direction a large field open (o 
private enterprise, and really good material for the 
purposes abovenamed may bo found at Seddawatto 
near Colombo, and at Katugastota and Gatembe near 
Kandy. All that is wanted is a knowledge of the 
preparation of the material and the aid of the newest 
plant, backed of course by capital, for developing an 
industry which would be apreciated throughout the 
island.’’ 
♦ " 
Tue Australian Siie-Oak has been aoolimatised 
in Aberdeenshire, and there seems every likeli- 
hood that it will prosper apace in that compara- 
tively bleak quarter. The specimens which have 
so far flourished best on Dee-side have been pro- 
duced from seed brought over from Tasmania, and 
the young saplings are reported to make headway 
at the rate of 18 inches a year. This is as much 
as they do at the Antipodes, and as the she-oak 
gives the best firewood the world produces it is to 
be hoped that its cultivation in the Eo.ith may 
, extend rapidly.— it’, 
