Cob: Re: hair/alternative materials/additives.

[ToSwink]

Has anyone seen article on switchgrass as a energy product?
Read brief article where they use it mixed with other type fuel.
But thought maybe it could be used as heat product / or fiber etc.

Years ago there were small trailers that contained hydroponic grass growers.
also in San Diego zoo they harvested 1000lbs a day of grass.
using simple ten day rolls. Where they plant one row aday and harvest one
row.
It was simple and very fast way to grow grass.I used a gravity flow system
where I lifted a tank of water each morning and when it drained I set it on
the floor and let it refill. I grew things real fast and low cost.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Darel Henman" <henman at it.to-be.co.jp>
To: <organic_architecture at yahoogroups.com>
Cc: "cob list" <coblist at deatech.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2001 10:02 PM
Subject: Cob: hair/alternative materials/additives.


> Thanks Charmaine,
>
> Charmaine R Taylor wrote:
> >
> > Horse and cow hair were used extensively in pure lime and sand
> > plasters
> > and mortars.  Goat hair is used now in modern times, but human hair is
> > too fine and weak, the body hair of the horse not the mane or tail-too
> > springy- were combed and used.  polypropylene fibers are now avail in
> > little sacks for $3.00 apiece, and lime plasterers use it, as do cement
folks.
>
> I always thought that it was the tail and mne hair that was  used.  So
> just the body hair.  Seems like it would be too short.
>
> Well there goes my idea of going around to beauty parlors to collect a
> lots of human hair for free.
>
> >
> > There is a well documented history thru the Historic Scotland people,
> > with cob clay lime and all types of building  researched and put into
> > booklets. most of it is for restoration purposes, as they found the
> > old
> > materials do best- no cement is ever used, or polyfiber.
> >
> > Charmaine  Taylor/ Taylor Publishing  << eyeing the neighbor's shaggy
goats>>
>
> I found in Japan they also use old aged and naturally bleached hemp
> rope.  They'd use old broken hemp ropes, cut them up, wash it, and let
> weather outside for a bit.
>
> Another fibre I found used was the strong hairy looking fibre from palm
> trees.  This has been used in southern regions.
>
> Darel
>