Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-11-14
Cement For Barn Floors.

Whlle there is oDJectlon to cement
floors in the stable, there are SO
many things in favor Of them that
they are constantly growing in
popularity. The principal objection
urged against them is that. they are
cold during winter. Cement is a
good conductor of heat, consequent
ly if an animal lies down on bare
cement surface, heat is conducted
away from it very rapidly, thus lower
ing the body temperature. This OBJ
lection can readily be overcome by
the free use Of bedding. A cement
floor should never be troweled and
made smooth at the time Of it's con-
struction, but the surface should be
left in a roughened condition SO as to
enable it to hold the bedding.
The first cost of a cement floor is
a little high in some localities where
course gravel and sand or crushed
rock cannot be secured except at
considerable expense. However, the
lasting qualities are SO great, that,
regardless Of first cost, it will prove
to be more economical than plank
floor in almost any locality. In
building floor Of this kind, do the
work thoroughly. Begin by ex-
cavating to a point six inches below
the desired level of the completed
floor. Dig a trench for a gutter II
inches wide and six or eight inches
below the prepared surface for the
stalls. This done, lamp the ex-
cavated portion thoroughly so as to
secure as hard a surface as possible.
Cover this with three inches of
gravel or coarse rock and tamp it
thoroughly SO as to secure as COM
pact mass as possible. Now pre-
pare a mixture of one part Of cement
and eight parts Of coarse sand and
gravel. The latter must be sharp
and free from dust. While dry,
mix the cement and gravel thorough
ly and to it add a sufficient amount
Of water to give the mixture the
consistency Of moist earth. Spread
this mixture over the rock previous
ly put down and make this layer two
and a half inches thick; thoroughly
tamp it and give the surface the de-
sired slope or make it level as may
be necessary. "A COW stall should
have slant from / to Il inches
from the manger to the gutter. A
horse stall should have a slant of
about 2 inches. The floor is now
ready for the finishing coat which
should be made from cement and
sand mixed at the rate of | part of
the former to 2 parts Of the latter.
This sand, Of course, should be fine,
sharp and free from dust. The
consistency of this mixture should
be thin. 1t should be applied to
the depth of one-half inch in the
case Of COW stable, whereas in the
case Of a horse stable one inch of
material should be used. The sur
face may be smoothed with the edge
of a board.
The bottom of the gutter may be
made in the same manner as the
stalls, although it will not be
possible to put gravel on the sides
Of the gutter. They should be built
entirely of cement, such as is recon-
mended for surfacing. 1t is good
plan to lay the cement in the form
of blocks 3x3 feet square. This
prevents cracking. The blocks may
be made by mailing together 2x6
timbers into forms 3x3 feet square
and these may be used in making
the floor by sections.
Allow plenty Of time for cement
floor to dry out. Do not hasten the
drying process, as this.is very apt
to cause the cement to crack and
crumble. About ton days should