Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-10

discomfort when 1t rains, and they are
therefore likely to be found out and reme-
died. Our sash window, the ordinary kind
in use, is well contrived for keeping out
rain when well made of seasoned materi-
ais, sash window is, without doubt,
perfectly weather. tight contrivance and
even when badly made is superior to bad
easement. Where easements are employed
the most woathor-tight construction is that
which is universal in France. In this ar
rangemont tho window is divided into two
folding easements, or glass doors, meeting
in tho centre, and both opened or closed at
the same time; the joint being made tight
by the edge of one easement being round
cd, and the corresponding edge of the ono
followed. A projecting fillet of wood, so
arranged MS to throw off the water which In
wet weather drains down the face of doors
and windows, is an excellent procaution
against the entrance of moisture; and,
where somewhat expensive oxpedient
can be adopted, the mechanical contrivanco
called "watcr bar" is often successful in
keeping out tho weather Mt external doors
and easement windows. For the ordinary
leally joints which constantly have to be
encountered in some rough and ready way,
there is no packing better than piece Of
India-rubber tubing, nailed up against the
| edge of the defective joint. The enemy,
| however, attacks us openly when it comes
| in at the window or the roof; and the shape
in which it shows itself-that of a stain or
apool of wator-is palpablo guide to the
locality where the defect is, and often fur
nishes n clue to the mode of applying a
remedy.
| Where moisture ponetrates the walls, the
case is widely different. The harm done is
insidious; it may go on long without be-
| ing detected; and when perceived, it may
| be difficult to find out how the mischief
arises, and almost an impossibility for even
an experienced person to devil @ remedy.
1t must be recolccted that nearly all the
| materials used in building are porous, and
| consequently absorbent of moisture; many
| of them are porvious to wet to an extent
| little suspected, and in not a few instances
they are oven hygromotric. A driving
| wind and rain, in an exposed situation,
will blow through many kinds of stone
|
| brick wall, if of moderate thickness and
solid build; and wall built with soa-sand
contains in its very mortar joints mate
rial which has n constant tendency TO abb
sorb moisture. Further, many a wall
which can Withstand the ordinary attacks
of rain falling against it, will give way be-
fore stream of water poured down upon
it at given point; and it constantly hap
pens that the arrangements of our houses is
such as to give opportunities for this to oc-
cur somewhere or other. Lastly, bad
workmanship, orunsllilled use of materials
will make defective walls out of even good
bricks and sound stone.
1t is then of the first importance, if q
house is to be dry, to know how far the
materials with which we propose to build
will turn water and if we find we cannot
| rely upon them TO do this, to understand
how to remedy their effects; for the same
bricks or stones which built up in one way,
will form but a damp wall, may often be
made, by other modes of handling, to re-
sist weather thoroughly.-GoodH Health.