[To THE EDITOR 07 THE "SPECTATOR.') SIR,—I read the letter
of your correspondent " Z " in your issue of the 22nd instant with great interest, and especially the information there imparted of building of Pied houses in the Colonies. The system of Pisd-de-terre appears to have been practised in France from time immemorial, and is said to have been brought to Western Europe by the Romans. This material must not be confounded with "cob," which is raised as a semi-fluid mass composed of clay and straw. nee is only wetted sufficiently to make the earth pack tightly, and must have no vegetable matter with it whatever. The mould in which it is put up is composed of two shutters 10ft. long by 2ft. 9in. high, resting on four morticed bearers of about 3in. stuff, with uprights tenoned into them to support the shutters. There are two heads to the mould, which are required when constructing quoins, window openings, or doorways. The rammers are of a peculiar flat spear-shape, so as to ram the earth in two directions and tie it into the lower layers. Almost any earth will do, with the exception of sandy soil or heavy clay. It requires to be dug, the lumps broken, and all stones screened out that are larger than a walnut, after which it is sprinkled with water or, better still, with milk of lime, and placed in the mould in 4-inch layers. The earth is spread by the feet of the workmen, of whom three are stationed in the mould, and rammed down to about half this thickness. When the mould is full it is dismounted and moved on to take the next block. The walls are generally about 18 inches in thickness, and the courses, with shutters of the size stated, 2ft. 6in. high. The blocks of Pise seen in the wall have a rhomboidal shape, the joints being at an angle of about sixty degrees. It is found that three courses of Pise may be constructed, one upon another, in a day, without overcharging the work below, and plates, beams, &c., may be laid on it at
once. The many advantages, cheapness, and incombustibility of Pise-de-terre render it necessary that the method of con- struction should in this country be generally understood. In conclusion I may state that I am negotiating with the Rural Co-Partnership Housing and Land Council of 4 Tavistock Square, London, with a view to erecting some Pise cottages for one of their societies.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Assoe.M.Inst.C.E.
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