The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1893-07-05
CHEAP STABLE FLOOR.
One That II Waterproof and Cannot BE
Affected by Dry Rot.


Affected by Dry Rot.
1t is matter for surprise to many
that cement floors do not more rapidly
come into general use, saving as they
do both liquid and solid manures, and
being rat-proof and indestructible when
well put down. The reason lies in the
very great stumbling block, first cost,
including the labor required. Every
space 6x12 feet requires barrel OF
Portland cement, costing "a or more,
or two barrels of common cement at
s2.5O to So, besides the digging and
hauling of sand and stone or their pur.
chase. Then comes in the expense oi
excavating, mixing and accurate laying.
The study has been long and hard how
to make stable floor that is at once
durable, water-tight, proof against rats
and cheap. The solution is well-sea-
soned lumber laid in coal tar and sand
or ashes. | do not refer to the hard
brittle compound unwisely smeared a
half inch deep on poor roofs, but to the
natural product as it comes from the
gas works in its thin and molasses-like
consistency. This is excellent also
with which to cover the completed
floor while still dry, as preventative.
1t should be applied hot with a large
brush as long as the lumber will soab
| it in.
But the floor. Having laid the stills
and joists in the manner usual fol
plank floors, let them be coated with
hot tar and filed and rammed level to
within one inch of the surface where
the plank is to lie, with sand or coal
ashes. Small stones may be used also
to within one inch of the surface. Mix
a quantity of sand or ashes with the
tar to the condition of mortar and
throw it between the floor joists on the
bed prepared. Let this be leveled off
with straight-edged board scraped
on the joists. At once flow it with coal
tar and begin laying the dry planks.
While the foundation is in progress let
one hand prepare the planks This is
done by lacking some thick, soft
cordage, like candle wicking, on one
edge of each, so it will come between
every two planks, and tarring all edges,
soaking the wicking full. When the
planks are put down they must be
forced together tightly and at least
every third one spiked
Here is floor which water cannot
penetrate, and which dry rot, that most
destructive of agencies in warm wealth.
err, cannot affect. Rats and mice alb
hor it, as do insects that work in wood
doors, making them leak and opening
the way for water to soak them. Its
cost is slight, not exceeding the price OF
cement alone, and it is almost as dura
BILE. 1t is never broken by the feet Of
animals, and when worn out can be
quickly replaced, as the foundation is
still there and only needs to be patched
up a little. have taken pains to in
sist that the wood used be dry; if not
the moisture it contains will ferment
within the air-tight tar coating, and be
detriment to durability. For cattle,
the plank drops must be put together
with heavy spikes, and on the SAME
principle as the floors. Avoid the use
of wire nails; they have not the hold
ing power of cut nails, and allow plankl
to spring apart, drawing them out {
little so that the urine seeps away. TIL,
disagreeable odor from tar can be alb
sorbed by dry earth and ventilation fol
a few days. A great advantage thi'
floor possesses is that it can be laid a
slight extra expense by all who have
got to replank their stables and fee
the need of greater economy of plan
food. In most cases the timbers are al
ready for the work. HOLSTER Sage, i,
Country Gentleman.