SB: Re:Smelly earthen floor and some other off topic drivel

["Rene Dalmeijer" <rened@cistron.nl>]

Barbara,

Rob Tom presented a very good idea Lime kills the fungus it is a good
disinfectant and because it is very hydroscopic will draw out the moisture.
It also works in wooden boat bilge's keeping them sweet by removing the
moist boat smell. So when next buying a second hand wooden boat check to see
if the bilge has been treated with lime. Sure bet the boat leaks. Worse
still if the owner has sacks of lime hanging about then it is a write off
(or the owner is a SB aficionado, lost interest in the boat and just wants a
place to store the lime.)

>Another thought that crossed my mind was to sprinkle some rock salt on the
floor
>to draw the moisture out and in doing so, possibly pickle the floor at the
same
>time, which might discourage moulds ?

Maybe not such a good idea because the rock salt will make the floor
hydroscopic

>But then, maybe you'd get cows busting in wanting to lick the floor and
leave a
>"note" behind in gratitude ? Then you'd probably be writing to the List
again
>about smelly floors of another flavour.

Then again it is a good idea you never know. It goes to show you must read
the whole story before hitting the reply button in anger. Animal manure is
an excellent fixative for an earthen floor. Nearly all earthen floors in
Africa are bound with manure (some even with blood) and this is not only for
huts. Many colonial farmhouses had or still have these floors. Some have
been "upgraded" in the meantime. BTW once dry the floor doesn't smell. And
they are beautiful


Rene Dalmeijer