Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-04-09

PLASTERING THE OUTSIDE OF HOUSES.
A correspondent asks if some cement might not
be made to cover the outside of houses. The prin-
cipal trouble in our climate is, not so much what
shall be used that will merely withstand the effects
of the weather. as how shall the water be kept from
getting beneath it in winter and by freezing burst
it off?
Good lime mortar is a very durable cement, and
we have known where it has lasted more than one,
two or three generations on the outside of wood
en- house. But then, in the first place. it was first
rate mortar-in the next place, it was well put on
and in the third place, it was SO guarded that the
rainwater could not get under it.
We have also known houses covered with NOR
tar, and then the covering crowded with small peb
BILE stones-whether for ornament or for oddly we
could not say. 1t was bad plan, nevertheless;
the rains would get in between many of them and
the mortar, and soon throw them out.
In order to have good cement, we should, in the
tirst place, have good lime--the more recently it
has been burned the better. Then we should have
good sand; coarse, sharp sand-full of angles and
points, and without any clay or loan among it. You
cannot make hard and durable mortar when YOU
have any Hnburnt clay in the mixture. We would
mix 1t in the proportion of part lime to seven
parts OF sand. Be careful not to put too much
water to the lime while stacking. Put in the sand
mix WELL and beat it thoroughly together.
We doubt not that the following process would
be good one. Take good newly burnt lime and
slack it, one part, then work in four parts of clean,
sharp, coarse sand-mx it and beat It I'D well, and
lay 1t by for month or two. Then take three parts
OF clean but fine sand, and quantity of water in
which some copperas (sulphate of irony has been
dissolved, and work it into proper consistency for
laying on. If it is desired to have it set quick,
some molasses or sugar may be dissolved in the
water.
Then put it on thoroughly, crowding it between
the aths, and placing the weather boards in such a
that thew shall Ian tha nd 10
great care to have no chinks or gaps for water to
creep in
DIR. Higgins made great number of experiments
upon mortars, and spent much time in researches
upon this subject, which he published some time
ago IN book. He found the following proportions
Of material TO be very excellent:
Lime, newly Stacked, part
Fine, clean sand, 8 parts.
Coarse sand, parts
Ashes OF burnt bones, part, or l
quarter as much bone ashes as he used of lime.
! He thinks that the mortar should be made under
ground and then covered up and kept there for a
considerable length Of time, the longer the better
and when it is used, it should be beat up afresh.-
This makes it set sooner renders it less liable to
crack, and more hard when dry.
There is some diversity of opinion among ma
sons in regard to the proper proportion of sand to
the lime No doubt different kinds of lime require
different quantities of sand. A lime that contains
but little no sand in it naturally will require and
take in more than that which has a considerable
amount in it The object of the sand is to in
crease the bulk-to make the mortar harder-to
bind the lime together by giving something for it
to cling to, and to prevent the lime from cracking
as it hardens.
The cause of its hardening is the absorption Of
water by the lime, and afterwards the absorption Of
carbonc acid from the air.
When all the principles OF the soidilcation Of
mortar are understood, the practice of the mason
can be much more Understandings guided than
when all is done haphazard- i'm the dark as it were
We know of several cottages in Somerset coun-
mortar, and which makes neat and durable coy
ering, it having been well made and well put on
Maine Farmer.