Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-02-13
o BUILDINGS.
uow the Western Farmer May Economlze
Building Material.

~ oOv10NtNSSs .
dow the Western Farmer May Economlze
Building Material.
As compared with brick, stone, con-
,rete and frame buildings, those built of
,dobes have many advantages. They
,ost less, are as durable, cooler in sum-
,,er. warmer in winter, and let there be
incessant rains for weeks at a time, the
valls will never "sweat' or show a
PARTICLE Of dampness.
In Western villages lack of conven-
ant clay-beds has induced the settlers
= make adobes of common earth or
[oamy soil. On western or southern
[,ynosures, cottages of such adobes soon
,onk very much battered and worn, the
material not possessing power to resist
the beating rains.
Adobes require to be well protected
sv q projecting cornice, and a founda-
ION high enough to keep the drip off
.hn caves from splashing up against
he walls. When the high foundation
l. Objectionable, the first foot or more
,bove the foundation is frequently con
Etructcd of hard brick. Should troughs
,a fitted to the caves, the wear on the
s;drs of the walls and the splashing at
be base are entirely obviated. When
,n]y inferior material can be obtained
For making adobes, they are frequently
[,id 50 as to be plastered ON the out
Eide, br not filling the outer joints with
nortar. Another plan adopted in some
o%calities is to dovetail the edge of each
adobe by a piece secured in the molds.
Another still is to drive large nails in
he outside walls, about two nails to
bach adobe, leaving the heads project
no about three-eighths of an inch. In
kither case the plaster is clinched on
he walls securely. Adobe walls are
aid in clay mortar, composed of two
barts of sand, and n part of clay, by
Measure. This, when dry, adheres so
Ermlv as to make an almost solid wall.
Is this clay mortar, containing
o large a proportion of sand,
washes badly when exposed to
he weather.: it is now the custom
b Law the outer tier Of adobes with lime
MORTAR, or to point the exposed joints
Nth good quality lime mortar, which,
rying smooth and white in well struck
bints, adds much to the beauty of the
uilding. In plastering outside walls
he first two coats are applied with clay
portar, as lime mortar will not adhere
B adobe walls. The last, or finishing
Dat, is applied with lime mortar, pre-
AIRED for outside wear. The first and
kcond coats for inside plastering are
so of clay mortar. finished with a
fhitc coat Of either lime or plaster of
.ris. The mortar adheres firmly
1ough on inside walls without any spe-
al preparation of the surface. Rarely,
adobe cottage is painted of a brick
dor, with the joints laid Off in white
amt. Adobes re always in demand
hong the farmers, as the common
nds can be made by any oneAt the
ace where wanted. The common blue
ay that underlics the sub-soil of many
RE districts in the prairie States
Puld no doubt yield excellent adobes,
made in the dryest part of the sum
MINER. and thoroughly sun-baked.
laid in the walls with clay mortar,
pbes are capable of supporting great
assure.
"A wall in the basement of a large
lex building, the second story of
hich has long been used as q theater
d dancing-hall, has supported the
cssure of a central post that sustained
center beam of the upper floor,
der all the weight and springing of a
crowded attendance for several
ars. This wall is only the
hgth of one adobe in thickness
out eleven inches, yet it remains firm.
The church in Payson, Utah, a struct-
forty-tive by seventy-five feet, with
lis twenty-four feet high, supporting
heavy roof and belfry, appear as Sc
fe as any brick building Of the same
nen>ions. These walls are two feet
Elk. on a firmly grouted wall which is
Fmounted with several layers Of brick
a stone water-table.
5e>ldes the uses already mentioned,
pbes are much in demand for backing
brick walls of dwellings, stores and
D!lc buildings of that material, and
frequently used for the back walls
stores, being joined to the brick.
zee courses of adobes equal in height
= courses of brick. Adobes are also
Oh used as lining for frame houses,
'''U up edSe"avS IN ciay-mOftaf
Ween the studding. When so used the
p are placed farther apart than usual.
en- adobes are usedfo backing brick
Is 1t Is customary to tie the adobes
bricks together when the courses
pc even, with Light straps of iron laid
oss every two OF three feet.
! the Ear West adobes are used for
Kinds OF buildings, especially on the
p, They could be safely used in
rly all the Mississippi Valley by
ne the precautions that have been
mentioned. Many farmers could
stfuct all their smaller out-buildings
Dis material, and thus add much to
comfort OF their animals, and to the
sure and profit of agricultural pur-
'-Ameftcan A~g1icuAw15st.
.