The midland journal., 1916-05-12
CONCRETE MIXING
ON THE FARM
Directions For Preparing Material For
Mixing For Farm Use.
G. P. SPRINGER.
Maryland Agricultural College.

There are many ways of mixing con-
crete, but to the person having only a
small amount to handle. up to about
$50 cubic yards, hand mixing is the
only economical method.
Mixing on the basis of a two-bag
batch; meaning batch of concrete
where the basis of measurement is two
bags of cement, 1:2:4 concrete would
require two bags of cement "a bag of
cement contains one cubic foot). four
cubic feet of sand, eight cubic feet OF
stone or gravel. The tools that will be
required are: A mixing board 9x10
feet, which will require the following
material:
8 pcs. H in. K IL in. 10 #. x0 in,
dressed one side and two edges.
5pcs. 2 in. < In. K 9 #. 0 0in.. rough
pcs. 3 In. < in. K 10 it. o in, rough
2 pcs. 2 in. < 2 in. K 8 #. O in, rough
The mixing board should be tight
with the 2-inch strips nailed around
the edge to prevent water from escap-
ing.
Runways will require several pieces
of plank 1Ox12 inches wide.
A measuring box for sand and stone
will require for 1894 mix the follow
ing material:
2 pcs. in. K 11M in. K 2 IT. o in, rough
2 pcs. in. K liz in. K 4 #. 0 in, rough
This forms box two feet square,
the extra length on two pieces is for
making handles. There will also be
required two or more square point"
shovels, one or more sheet iron wheel
barrows, rake, water barrel sew
eral water buckets, a sprinkling can,
temper, spading tool and q sand
screen.
Making The Mixture.
Level the mixing board, place the
measuring box at one side Of the cen
ter, fill measuring box level full Of
sand. lift Off the boz and spread the
sand evenly over the board until four
or six inches deep. Take two bags Of
cement and spread evenly over the
sand. Mix the sand and cement thor
oughly by turning three or more times.
To mix start at the edge Of the sand
and cement mass and shovel 1t over
into a new pile. In shoveling do not
take a shovelful from one pile and
dump 1t upon the other pile. but in
turning the shovel give It twisting
pull, this will cause the sand and
cement as it falls from the shovel to
scatter and mix. The material 10 shov-
eled from one side of the mixing board
1 to the other at least three times, and
lie properly turned should then show
Throughout an even gray color. Spread
out upon the mixing board to depth
Of four or six inches and place the
measuring box on the center of the
mass, I'LL level full Of stone, lift OF
and level, replace and I'LL full Of stone
again, lift of and level down. (Note
THAT the box is filed only once with
sandy Wet the mixing board upon
the side where the mass IL to be
turned, shovel the cement. sand and
stone over to the other side Of the
board sprinkling 1t as turned, wet
board on other side and turn mass
back again. sprinkling as turned. As
each shovel Of material is deposited
drag the shovel toward you, this will
spread and mix the wet mass. Turn
and sprinkle where dry spots, show un-
til q complete turning will not expose
lany dry material. The concrete mass
should now contain sufficient water so
that tamping WIN cause water to nush
to the top Of the mixture. bringing
with 1t thin Aim Of cement TO the
surface.
Use At Once.
The concrete is now ready to be
placed in the forms built to receive it.
Concrete should not be allowed to
stand after mixing but should be