Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-07-22

- uystAouhS CcuuouG anu IN lJUi,
52,23O.OOO. From this it is evident
that the use of cement is increasing
with greater rapidity in industries
other than those classified as aeri-
cultural.
The high price of lumber is in
ducing} many farmers to look for
cheaper materials. Especially is this
true OF those who are contemplating
building new structure, and we sug-
gest that they look into the adapta-
bility Of cement very thoroughly
before deciding upon the use Of
other substitutes. Cement floors in
cattle and horse barns, in hoghouses
and feed lots are generally we'll lik-
ed. There has been some complaint
against cement floors in stalls for
dairy COWS on the ground that they
are cold and have a tendency to pro.
duce udder troubles. This obiec-
ton is not without foundation, es.
pecially with highly developed
mixers, though it may be overcome
by covering the cement with planks
or stats: This is an excellent plan
if the covering is made so it can
easily be raised and the cement
underneath cleaned as often as may
seem desirable. A liberal use Of
bedding will in measure answer
the same purpose, although at times
the cows udder will come in contact
with the cement if straw alone is
relied upon as covering. 1t may
be stated in this connection that ce-
ment COW stalls are in use in many
up-to date dairy barns and are
giving excellent satisfaction.
Some farmers object to cement for
horse stalls on the ground that it is
hard onfthe horse to stand on a floor
to which there is no give. Being
impervious to water it also has a
tendency to unduly dry out the
hoofs cahsing them to crack. This
applies only to the front feet and
may be remedied by the use of a
plank covering for the upper one
third ofthe stall, which may be fin
ished two inches lower than the hind
part and.in such manner that the
plank covering will fit into this por-
ton andimake the proper slope with
the rear end.
For hogs there is little objection
to a cement floor except possibly at
arrowing time, and this may easily
be overcome by liberal use of cut
straw at that time. A cement floor
has 30 many advantages over a dirt
or any other kind of floor for hogs
that the disadvantage mentioned can
hardly be considered of sufficient
moment to stand in the way of its
use.
For cutters, feed alleys, and walks
in the baRnsthere is nothing super
ior to cement. It is easily kept clean
and for that reason is more sanitary
than any other material that could
be used in its place. Not only is it
sanitary, but it is durable. A con-
crete floor properly laid and finished
with good Portland cement will last
almost a lifetime and the first cost is
but little, if any, higher than wood.
In sections where rock is plentiful
and close at hand cement may be
used to excellent advantage in the
construction of silos: in fact it has
been used in that way for number
of years in Wisconsin, New York
and other states. During recent
years cement has also been largely
used in the manufacture of drain
tile, and it is generally considered
that cement tile is fully equal in val
ue to clay tile, provided it has been
properly made. Some farmers have
had poor results with cement drains
but this was because it had been i'm
properly manufactured. Since it is
impossible to determine from it's ap-
pearance whether or not cement til.
ing has been properly manufactured,
farmers should be very careful when
purchasing tile of this kind to deal
with reliable makers.
Cement is also being used for
fence, corner and gate posts, al
though SO far not extensively. We
are not aware that thorough test
has been made of it's value for these
purposes, although we know of ce-
ment posts that have been in the
ground and around feed lot for a
number Of years without any of them
having broken. Here again the i'm
portauce of properly mixing gravel,
sand and cement comes into play. A
post that is properly made will sun-
doubtedly last a lifetime and thus be
much cheaper than any wooden
posts that could be purchased or
grown on the farm.
On account of the heavy weight
of cement posts it is not practical for
the farmer to purchase them at a
great distance from home. The bet
ter plan is to make them on his farm
on rainy days when the men cannot
| get into the field or otherwise occu-
py their time to advantage. In sub
sequent articles we shall call atten-
ton to some Of the special uses of
cement and concrete on the farm
Farmers Tribune.
A Chinese peIieaey.
;. The tips from the topmost shoots Of
the bamboo tree are culled when they
are not more than three inches long.
peeled and preserved much as pine
apple is, though the tips are cut in
| nnn rtors rEhir fruit haa a ,,o,,,a rl n hl,r