The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-02-23
building Stone.

The range that the census work il taking
in Washington will make the report, when
completed, an exposition OF the resources
OF the United States in every branch OF
production the most thorough that has
ever issued from any press. one OF the
Investigations now going on relates to our
ouarries OF building stone and OF slate,
and of stone used for ornamental purposes.
The report will cover the capital employed
i'm fhis branch Of business, the quarries
from which the stone is taken, the mode
OF qllarrying, the wages OF skilled ana
common labor engaged in getting out,
dressing, and ornamenting stone, and also
an inquiry into the qualities OF the several
kinds Of stone, whether of limestone,
sandstone. granite, marble, coquina. or any
other. TO this sod multitude of cubes
four inches long RcEe been sent 10 the Blu
reau from different parts OF the country
for investigation. One of the objects OF
this investigation is to find out what mine
rails each OF the building and ornamental
stones contains, and to ascertain the
strength Of each and how each Will be al
fected under different conditions as 20 tenn
pcrature. DIR. George W. Halves. who has
charge OF this particular branch OF the
census work, has been explaining how
different stones are affected by differ
ences OF climate, and what they show I'M
der microscopic and chemical analysis.
Taking up block Of coquina-a species OF
shcll-rock, out OF which the old Spanish
fort at St. Augustine, Fla, is built-hc
said that. while ii answered admirably for
building-s:Onc in Florida, if Il house
were built on it in New York il would soon
I tumble down. "On the her hand, those
/ granite blocks, which are apparently indie
I structibe. and which are so valuable a
building stone in New York, would soon
deteriorate-rot, so 10 speak, in the
| Florida climate. Portland sandstone,
| ii set Of edge in walls, will flake
/ from the absorption OF moisture and
the alterations OF the weather. Exam
pies Of this fact in respect 70 most
/ sandstoneS are seen everywhere in our
cities. In Florida there is Il quarry Of a
/ kind OF sandstone which, when examined
| by the Bureau, was found to contain l6
per cent. OF phosphoric acid. and was,
therefore. much more valuable rs fer
tilizer than aS building stone DR.. Halves
explained the reason why Quincy granite
flies all 10 pieces in fire by showing that
il is full OF cells containing air and MI
mute bubbles of water easily TO be seen
under microscope. Many other blocks OF
stone were taken upaud commented upon.
and their uses and defects pointed out. IN
examination OF this kind, with the facts
bearing upon adaptability Of the stones for
! building and ornamental purposes and the
climate 10 which they are best suited, when
embodied in the census report, will be OF
great value TO quM1ymen, stonC-cuttcrs,
and builders, rs well H. those who propose
to use stone for ornamental purposes in
ediiccs for residence, OF in stores and
warehouses. The strength Of stone j.
not difficult to ascertain, but lis re-
sisting and absorbent powers, how il Is
affected by wet and heat and cold and by
exposure TO fire, j. branch OF knowledge
that has been acquired by few architects in
this country and to the general public is
not known att all. 1t the great Chicago and
Boston fires it was found that the stone
structures. that were thought most secure,
crumblcd away under the glowing furnace
heat OF flame, while the walls OF those built
of well-burned brick stood in many cases
firm and strong in the midst Of the sur
rounding ruins. The Census Bureau il,
therefore. doing good service in inStituting
inquiry into the qualities OF the different
kinds OF stone used for building or orna-
mental purposes, and in bringing forward
and giving publicity to varieties that have
not yet been put TO any structural or archi-
tectural Use Exchange.