. The Cuba review. Ey'£n(^-Conlr one of cement. Water is added, mak- ing the stuff pliable without causing it to stick to the molds, because of exces- sive wetness. Too much water likewise makes the work liable to settle and be- come soggy when removed from the molds. On the other hand, if too dry, the stuff- cannot adhere well and may harden prematurely and crack. In fact, the manufacture of blocks with the some- what defective apparatus used in the average Cuban plant is somewhat dif- ficult. The wooden mold is set up in the fashion exhibited by Fig. 1 and filled. The tamping in Cuba is done
. The Cuba review. Ey'£n(^-Conlr one of cement. Water is added, mak- ing the stuff pliable without causing it to stick to the molds, because of exces- sive wetness. Too much water likewise makes the work liable to settle and be- come soggy when removed from the molds. On the other hand, if too dry, the stuff- cannot adhere well and may harden prematurely and crack. In fact, the manufacture of blocks with the some- what defective apparatus used in the average Cuban plant is somewhat dif- ficult. The wooden mold is set up in the fashion exhibited by Fig. 1 and filled. The tamping in Cuba is done with a de- vice constructed of hard wood, shaped as shown in Fig. 4. All the particles should be tamped un- til the block is compact from bottom to top. The smallest voids should not ex- ist, for air spaces will ruin the block. Blocks are also made under heavy pres- sure by mechanical apparatus, but most of the blocks are tamped by hand. Some of the mechanical tamping devices I saw in use were constructed to compress the blocks from all sides at one time, result- ing in the development of thin layers, preventing the air from escaping from the interior and airholes resulted. The mold is now ready to turn so as to get the core out. The core (see Fig. 1) is quite easily loosened by pounding on the wood with a hammer, and lifted directly upwards without marring the ^. edges of the form. Fig. 2 shows the form of the mold when locked up and a finished block is shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 shows some of the devices employed in the shaping of blocks to some special design. A gutter tool is exhibited and a combination mallet and one of the trowel devices shaped for doing cor- nering work. An edger of the Cuban pattern is also shown, and a jointer. Curing is by no means a simple op- eration. I have seen good blocks ruined at the curing. On the other hand, defec- tively moulded blocks are often improved in the curing operation. One should- pile the blocks as closely as possible to- gether an
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