The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-18
A New Inven ton.

z,p,ors COMPOSITION SLABS AND PANELS FOR
DOORS AND WALLS OF BUILDINGS, &C.
natent was obtained few days ago
bv the American Fibre Company for an en-
tirely novel mode Of constructing roofs and
walls Of buildings, waterproof floors,
tanks, SC.
The fibre used Is made from the cane or
reeds of the cane-brakes of the Carolinas
and other southern States, disintegrated by
the explosive force Of steam by the process
recently described in the Richmond DIS
patch. The fibre as it comes from the steam
gun is in the shape of long, fine tendrils,
resembling oakum. This fibre is twisted or
spun into single yarn or strand, severai
Of which strands are interlaced go as to
form stout mating, which is charged with
composition of tar and pulVerised slate
or soapstone, limestone, &c., forced into and
amongst the fbres by great pressure, 30 as
to make a solid slab. The fibre being tho
roughly disintegrated and very absorbent
forms good base for the mastic.
A series Of these slabs made with
rabbet Joints are joined together and nailed
to the rafters, the joints are cemented, and
then another series Of the slabs, made in
the same manner, are laid over the others 30
as to break joints in every direction, the
upper series being fastened to the lower
with a mastic composed Of the pulverized
slate, ETC., and tar, and the joints being
cemented together. A light, strong, solid
indestructible slab is thus produced tho
roughly waterproof and practically fire
proof also. A similar composition, used for
roofs in Montreal and New Orleans, is I'M
affected by the heat or cold.
AS the steam blown reed fibre can be
supplied from Norfolk, Va, and Whining
ton, N. c., to New York, Richmond, Baltl-
more, Boston, etc., for fifteen to twenty dol
lars per ton, and the pulverized slate can
be obtained at about the same price, and
the tar is cheap also, it is claimed that this
invention secures the cheapest as well the
best and most durable roof ever made.
The roof resembles a solid block of slate
or stone about an inch thick. A coating
of sand is forced into the composition go as
to tighten the color and make it resemble
stone. The cost Is less than half that Of o
tin roof.
The inventors propose to make the same
slabs available for the outer walls of build
ings in lieu Of bricks, stone, or wood. The
same company have also obtained patent
for substitute for lath and plaster. For
this purpose fbrous composition panels are
made by the above method from the steam
blown cane fibre, in combination with sill"
cate of soda Qiquid hint), lime, and clay.
These panels are fre-proof, and we'll
adapted for ceilings, inner walls, and floors,
also for cabins of steamboats, and railway
cars. 1t is claimed that the fbrous COM
position panels are much cheaper than lath
and plaster, and that they do not warp
crack, peel, crumble, or decay, and that
they keep out heat and cold.
Certainly these inventions open wide
field of usefulness. They seem to be based
upon the most practical ideas, and in fact
have been tested to sufficient extent to
establish their utility. As already stated
in this paper, it is designed to erect in this
city lnanufactory of boards out of the
cane fibre.