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hay is mixed with the mud, and then it is moulded into the proper shape. The price of adobes (1875) at El Paso, was $7 per thousand, hence building there is very cheap. Roofs are also made with first a layer of clay, above which is sometimes spread a thin layer of ashes, and above this is placed a thick layer of cement made of clay, gravel and lime ; about two-thirds clay and sand, and one of lime. These roofs are nearly flat, only having inclination sufficient to let the water run off. The roofs of the old mission churches near San Antonio were made of cement, and are still in a very good state of preservation. Adobe houses are very cool in summer and warm in winter.

Cement floors are also used in the adobe houses. The mortar is evenly spread to the thickness of three or four inches over a layer of broken limestone. When the mortar has stood about twenty-four hours, and its surface is quite dry, it is pounded all over with a block of wood about twelve inches square, and three to four inches thick, having a handle in the middle. This makes the floor smooth and moist, and when it becomes dry it is again pounded until very little moisture comes to the surface. In some of the best houses, a thin layer of red ochre is then sifted on the floor, and it is thoroughly rubbed in and polished with a smooth, flat stone.

WATER POWER IN TEXAS.

The great objection to utilizing the large and varied water power of the State, has been that heavy rains sometimes caused the sudden rise and overflow of streams, doing more or less damage to mills and factories. In some instances, factories and mills have been swept away, as was done a few years since at New Braunfels.

It is now demonstrated that power can be transmitted to great distances by wire or raw hide ropes. In Europe this has been done extensively-Pirn being the inventor. In one instance by a combination of ropes and pullies, the power of a waterwheel was transmitted to distance of several miles.

A good illustration of this method was lately given in "Mines, Metals and Arts" of Saint Louis, where there is a view of the mills of Messrs. Smyser & Milton, at the falls of the Ohio river, Indiana. There the wheelhouse is two hundred feet distant below and across a race or