A. If the mortar was not dried in the warm weather, its moisture freezes, expands, and thrusts the particles of the mortar away from each other; but (as soon as the frost goes) the water condenses and leaves the mortar full of cracks and chinks.
Q. Why does stucco peel from a wall in frosty weather?
A. If the stucco was not dried in the warm weather, its moisture freezes, expands, and thrusts its particles away from the wall; but as soon as the water condenses again by the thaw, the stucco (being unsupported) falls by its own weight.
Q. Why cannot bricklayers and plasterers work in frosty weather?
A. Because the bricks and plaster would start from their position as soon as the frost came and expanded the mortar.
Q. Why do bricklayers cover their work with straw in spring and autumn?
A. Because straw is a non-conductor, and prevents the mortar of their new work from freezing during the cold nights of spring and autumn.
Q. Why are water-pipes often covered with stall-litter in winter time?
A. Because straw (being a non-conductor) prevents the water of the pipes from freezing, and the pipes from bursting.
Q. Why are delicate trees covered with straw in WINTER?