Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-07-21
CHEAP sTARLE FLOOR.

Oaac That l. Waterproof and Cannot he
Anrrtci by Dry Rcc
1t is a matter for S2srprlse 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-prcof and indcstructible when
well pnt down. The reason lies III the
very great stumbling block, first cost,
including the labor required. Every
space 6x12 feet requires barrel Of
Portland cement, costing 81 or more.
or two barrels of common cement at
Sa.5o TO s., besides the digging and
hauling of sand and stone or their pur-
chase. Then comes in the expense of
cxcavating. mixing and accurate laying.
The study has been long and hard how
to make a stable door 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
half inch deep on poor roofs. but to the
natural product as it comes from the
gas works in its thin and inolasses-like
consistency. This is excellent also
floor while still dry, as preservative.
1t should be applied hot with a large
brush as long as the lumber will soak
1t in
But the hoor. Having laid the sills
and joists in the manner usual for
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
quantity of sand or ashes with the
tar to the condition of mortar and
throw it between the floor jeists on the
bed prepared. Let this be leveled of
with straight-edgod board scraped
on the jossts. At once flow II with coal
tar and begin laying the dry pianks.
While the foundation in 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 a floor which water cannot
penetrate, and which dry rot, that most
| destructive of agencies in warm wealth
er, cannot affect. Rats and mice alb
hor IL, as do insects that work in wood
| floors, making them leak and opening
| the way for water to soak them It's
| 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 little. have taken pains to in
sist that the wood used be dry; if not,
the moisture it contains will ferrnent
within the air-tight tar coating, and be
detrimeat 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 nals, and allow planks
to spring apart, drawing them out a
little 50 that the urine seeps away. The
disagreeable odor from tar can be alb
sorbed by dry earth and ventilation for
few days A great advantage this
! floor possesses is that it can be laid at
slight extra expense by all who have
| got to replank their stables and feel
the need of greater economy of plant
food. In most cases the timbers are all
ready for the work.-Hollister Sage, in
| Country Gentleman.