The Washington herald., 1911-10-07
WILLUOECONCRETE
FOR 200 HOUSES
Large Building Operations
in Virginia Highlands.
IMPROVEMENTS ARE INSTALLED
Gas, Water, and Sewerage Have
Been Put in for Attractive Old
Dominion Subdivision and 20
New Houses VIII BE Commenced.
Concrete Houses Are Popular.

Washington has been given an excel
lent demonstration Of the value of con-
crete as a home builder in the colony of
poured concrete houses springfng up
at Virginia Highlands, under the Morrill,
system of steel molds From a barren
spot on the Virginia hills the site of Vir-
ginia Highlands has assumed the aspect
y hustIing suburban residence section
and she progress Of the last year is to
De more than equaled by the season OF
; l9ll-12. II present plans are carried out.
All the sanitary and utility improve
. r1ents Of a city have recently been In
stalled in Virginia Highlands, sewerage
water and gas, and twenty-five new
houses are now in course Of construction
there. 1t is the plan Of the property
owners to commence the construction OF
2O houses within the next twelve months.
Forests Are Depleted.
neers encountered a trackless forest eX-
tending from the Atlantic TO the praIries.
the removal OF which was necessary be-
fore they could create farming land. AS
the country began to be, settled demand
upon the forests was made for building
material A hundred years ago almost all
agricultural structures and buildings of
all kinds in farming communities were
constructed from lumber procured from
nearby forests. Even a few years ago
the farmers used nothing but lumber
for farm buildings. The timber was cut
from his own land and sawed at nearby
mills so that his own tees were con-
vcrted into his troughs, dairy houses.
walks. fences. and even his house and
harm: hence the high price of lumber
consequent upon the rapid decrease in
the cOuntrys timber supply was felt
last by the farmer. though now the de-
mand for a new building material is no.
where more keenlv felt than on the farm.
Such a material has been found in cor
"rcte. which in some instances has proved
superior to lumber. brick, or building
stone. and is being used for all kinds of
farm structures from silOs TO sidewalks
and stables to dwellings. This material,
too, like his lumber. can generally be
largely produced from his oVn or nearby
land. as nothing but the cement and
metal bars foT reinforcement need he
purchased from afar. and much of the
work can he done by the farmer and with
ordinary farm labor under the direction
Of a skilled concrete worker.
often Make Mistakes.
Frequently concrete users have made
costly mistakes by not informing them
selves properly, before starting their
work concerning the correct methods of
making good concrete. As a guide in the
selection OF the proper materials, espe-
ciaIly the sand and gravel which form
siN-Sevenths or the solids used in con-
crete. the United States Department of
Agriculture issued Farmers Bulletin No.
H. Containing ssggEstiuHs which. should
hr observed.
Concrete is manufactured stone formed
by mixing cement. sand. and stone or
gravel ii. e. pebbles together with water
The cement is but small part Of the
mixture and is the product Of skilled
workmen under the supervision of the
manufacturer who must compete with