Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-25

Z>g cement and sand.
 The success of this method of construction has been thor oughly proven in a great number of cases, in the large structures now stand ing, number of which are very old and quite beautiful buildings.
 Many of the most successful con- structors of such buildings make build ing blocks by molding the concrete, when mixed in simple mold of wood formed by mailing together four one inch. blanks, which are eight inches wide, and setting these on smooth sur face. preferably of rough timber, then pouring the mixed concrete into them and allowing to stand until solid. The sketch illustrates one of these devices.
 Many of the larger but roughly con- btructed concrete works are being built by pouring the concrete between the temporary walls built of one-inch boards. Practically all of the heavy foundation work now being constructed in the cities. under large buildings, is made in this way. For small farm structures this is perhaps the cheapest method to employ The procedure of such building is about as follows:
 First there is constructed solid wall of one-inch planking on the. inner side of the ground. where the foundation of the wall is to stand. This is erected to . height of some four feet. with the smooth side out. being firmly braced within Another wall of the same nature is constructed and placed facing 1t six to eight inches away, as the thickness of the wall is desired. When this has been constructed all around in the manner described, concrete is poured into this mold and allowed to harden. As often as the mold is filled some boards are added above and the con- crete poured in, in layers of one to two feet deep. The board walls are allowed to remain until the concrete is quite solid.
 The double wall is by far the most practical. since it has an air-space ex- tending from cellar to joist. which re- tsrds the passage or moisture, heat or cold and makes the building much more stable. The inside wall supports the floor joists and is consequently made thicker than the outside wall. Usually the inner wall is five inches and the outer wall three inches thick, and the space four inches wide. The two must be fastened together, as they are built by the insertion of number of small iron rods, which to prevent rusting should be galvanized. These may be placed in the concrete as the walls are raised.
 Several machines are on the market for building these walls. consisting sim ply of frame for the two outside sur faces. with a mold for the cavity. But very good success has been obtained by the use of constructed molds, says Farm and Home. These walls are usually smooth enough on the inside to take a putty finish and paint without further treatment.
 The concrete used for this purpose. which is meeting with widest success. is made of one part of cement. three parts sand and i've parts of broken stone or nut gravel. This mixture is prepared as it is used. since if allowed to stand any length of time after mix ing it will harden and not make solid wall.
 Such a building is practically fire proof. and if the walls are not thick will be very dry within. If the walls are very thick. however. the moisture will collect upon the insides of them and will not allow the plaster to remain without cracking.
 A comparison of cost between frame and brick construction is considerably in favor of concrete. Tn an estimate on . building 24x36 feet. two stories high. the frame cost $52o. brick S523. while a similar construction of concrete. with two walls. the outer three inches and the inner five inches thick. would cost about s432.
 Machines for the moiding of single and tvo-piece building blocks are on the market. ranging in cost from s25 to $500. but for ordinary frame struc- lures the scsfoldins molds are by far the cheapest and most practical. For fancs structures. dwelling houses. etc. molded concrete blocks are very serv- iceable and may be introduced in any part of the wall to decorate ft.