The sun., 1919-03-16

enough 10 be musny ana run OH the
shovel when handled. 1t is used for
thin walls, &C. 1t contains sufficient
water TO permit its flowing from n
shovel or wheelbarrow. but not enough
10 cause separation Of particles.
The quaky mixture is Just wet
enough to make It jellylike, used for
floors, foundations &C. A man should
sink ankle deep in 1t II he were to
step on the pile. 1t is used in all
moulded products requiring REINFORCE
ment, such as fence posts, drain
tile. &C.
The dry moisture Is like damp
earth and is used where it is i'm
y>rtant to have the concrete set as
soon as possible, principally in moulded
york.
In making moulds or forms, if dry
lumber is used it should be thoroughly
wet before the concrete is placed.
Where any fine ornamentation is
used the moulding or other device
used to vary the surface should be
painted with equal parts of boiled
linseed oil and kerosene and the forms
must be thoroughly cleaned each time
they are used. The face of the forms
or other irregularities, as they will be
reproduced in the cement. Be careful
to have the forms strong enough to
hold the weight Of the concrete with
, out bullying out of shape.
Fresh, or green" concrete, as the
builders call 1t, should not be exposed
to the sun until after it has been al
lowed to set five or six days. Each
day during that period the concrete
should be wet down by sprinkling
water on it in the morning and in the
afternoon. This is done so the con-
crete on the outside will not dry ont
much faster than the concrete in the
centre OF the mass. and should be OBJ
served carefully. especially during the
hot summer months. Old canvas,
sheeting, burlap, &c. placed so as to
hang an inch or so away from the
face Of the concrete Wilt afford proper
protection. Wet this as we'll as the
concrete.
On exterior surfaces a coat of pure
cement will check the fine hair cracks
resulting from the rapid drying out OF
the concrete. For the interior OF
tank which will be kept wet while in
make the concrete water tight. Put
this on as soon as the forms are re-
moved and take Off the forms as early
as possible. In small pieces, like a
small trough, the inner form may be
removed in two or three hours and
the wash applied Immediately. Wet
the inside thoroughly and apply pure
cement with brush or trowel.
Do not attempt 10 handle concrete
in freezing weather.
Tables are given by the author for
making cement of various colors, for
proper dimensions of retaining and
basement walls. Directions are given
for making fence posts, steps, copings,
sun dials, benches and other things
which space will not permit in this
article.
In making concrete sidewalks the
foundations should be from 6 to IL
inches deep. II the soil is clay blind
drains of coarse gravel or tile pipe
should be laid at the lowest points in
the excavation to carry off any water
that may accumulate. Walks are often
ruined by water freezing in the founda-
| tions and heaving them out OF place.
In tho excavation a foundation OF
porous material is laid, such as cinders.
broken stone or screened gravel. The
| excavation should be three inches
wider on each side than the proposed
walk. Fill in with the porous material
10 within four inches OF the proposed
finished surface, wetting we'll and
tamping in layers, so when completed,
it will be even and firm but porous.
Place inch by inch scantlings, per-
fectly straight, planned on the reside,
on top OF the porous foundation the
proper distance apart to form the in
ner and outer edges OF the walk. The
outside or curb strips should be one or
two inches lower than the inner edge
OF the walk. This will give a slight
incline to the finished surface and al
low the water to run off. A good rule
is to allow three eighths of an inch
slope TO every foot of width of walk.
Wide walks are laid off inNo equal
sections between the scantlings, not
larger than six feet square. Fill the
spaces with concrete to "a depth OF
three inches with one part cement to
two parts clean coarse sand and four
to five parts broken stone or screened
gravel. then lamp until water begins