The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-09-09
Concrete for Farm Buildings.

Concrete in some form. that Is q mix
ture of common lime, or hydraulic &C.
ment, and the requisite amount of sand
to form mortar, with gravel or frag.
ments of stone, is . building material
OF great antiquity. 1t was employed by
The ancient Romans soon after they
commenced TO erect substantial build.
higs.. Its use in nearly every civilized
country in the world has been general
for more than two thousand years II
has been employed in this country to
only n limited extent for the reason
that timber is SO cheap. plenty. and
generally distributed. In Mexico, sun
dried bricks and concrete have beer
the building materials most generally
employed. The former have been used
for the walls of buildings, and the lat
ter for floors. Concrete in many places
may be made at small cost, and 1t Is
nearly as enduring as natural stone.
Various circumstances indicate thai
concrete will soon be largely, employed
in the construction Of farm buildings.
in this country. 1t is not well suited
for the construction Of buildings re-
'quiring great strength and high finish
like those wanted in large cities, but
il is admirably adapted to the require
ments of farmers. Many farms thai
are remote from any supply Of lumber
contain limestone, sand, and gravel In
abundance. Others are 80 situated
that these materials can be obtained
within a reasonable distance for the
trouble of hauling them. Little skilled
labor is required to erect ordinary farm
buildings from concrete. There IL .
practical treatise on the subject of the
preparation and use Of concrete that
contains directions that will enable any
ingenious man to erect ordinary build
ipgs for protecting stock and farm pro-
ducts. gltfl y
The growing scarcity and advancing
price OF lumber will soon render the
employment of some other building
material necessary; and nothing SEEM
so likely to take the place Of wood ~
concrete. Split stone and brick arc
both expensive. It is troublesome to
haul them over ordinary roads. and tho
services Of q skilled mason are required
to lay them in a wall. Concrete pos
sesses many advantages over wood for
the construction of farm buildings. II
requires no paint to protect it from the
action Of the elements. 1t IL incom-
bustible, and nearly i~ndestructible.
Buildings made Of it are fire. water, ROT
and vermin proof. They are never
very beautiful, but their appearances
improves with age. while the contrary
is the case with buildings made Of most
materials. 1
Concrete is an excellent material to
employ in making floors for stables and
barns. Unlike wood it absorbs neither
urine nor the wash of manure Wood
that becomes saturated with these sub.
stances gives off foul odors that are de.
leterious to animals as well a. to man.
A concrete floor will last an average
lifetime, and may be kept as clean a. .
piece of crockery. Concrete is also m
excellent material to use in making
pens for pigs. Not only the walls and
floor. but the troughs for holding food
and drink may be constructed Of tho
same material. A concrete pig-pen Is
more conducive to the health Of the
occupants than one made Of wood. ~
it will absorb no vile substance, while
it may BIO washed with very littls
trouble. Exchange. Z