[Cob] cob and adobe "Ianto says"

[Amanda Peck]

Clay/sand/(and at least sometimes?) straw formed into bricks which are dried 
and then mortared into place when dry is called adobe.

Clay/sand/straw mashed well into the previous course when it's still wet is 
cob.  Over the years, "Ianto says," the sand content has risen. Too much 
sand, it falls apart.  Too much clay, it shrinks and cracks.  But the "it's 
fine" proportions seem to be pretty variable.

One problem can be that the wall itself has already dried too much.  In the 
southeast and Pacific northwest we are likely to have the opposite problem.  
But in New Mexico, at least sometimes they do.  That may be why adobe 
instead of cob evolved in the desert areas of the southwest.

I'd bet that all the ancient cob houses still used as houses have been 
retrofitted with what the British call "mod cons"--modern conveiences like 
running water and fuel for heating and cooking that doesn't involve an open 
fire staining the rafters black.

As I would suspect do most of the old adobe churches.  Although lights may 
be the most valued of the mod cons there.

(I read too many British mystery stories--so occasionally a phrase sticks 
with me)

The Hand Sculpted House by Evans, Smiley, and Smith is pretty overwhelming 
when one first reads it. So much so that we tend for some time afterwards to 
start sentences with "Ianto says."  Having, at times, disconnected our 
critical facilities.  Sometimes even making up "Ianto says" statements to 
suit us.  Which doesn't mean that the book isn't valuable, informative, 
worth buying so that it can be read again and again.
............
Paul responds to me:
 >I wonder if the more experienced people on the list think that your
 >clay/sand mixture is OK.

A clay/sand mixture is called adobe.

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