84 VERMONT AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



stone will, of course, vary considerably, but none of them should come 

 within less than one-half inch of the proposed surface. If too high, 

 break the tops off with a stone hammer. Next haul smaller stone and 

 wedge them with the maul in the instertices between the larger stone 

 already in place. Next comes the use of concrete. This should be made 

 thin, using perhaps half sand and half gravel, and be poured onto the 

 stone so that it will work down between the stone and when set hold 

 them firmly in place and prevent all possibility of the stone "crawling." 

 By experience I have found that the concrete for this purpose can be 

 made from good lime instead of cement, and, of course, at a great saving 

 of expense. The stable, however, must be so located that there is no 

 danger of water ever soaking under it. If the location is not such as to 

 guarantee this, proper precautions must be taken by drains outside the 

 stable to protect the foundations. If lime is used it should be allowed to 

 harden, which will take much longer than if cement is used, perhaps 

 ten days. When the top coating is put on let the surface be moistened, 

 using a broom or sprinkler. For the top or surface coat, which should 

 be at least an inch in thickness, use one part best Portland cement, two 

 parts clean, sharp sand and two parts clean gravel. Sift through coarse 

 sieve so that no stone larger than half inch in diameter are left in the 

 sand and gravel. The surface should be level, but not polished. There 

 is danger of cattle slipping on a polished cement floor. It can be 

 leveled with a trowel made from an unplaned board, or can be put on 

 with a steel trowel and then, while soft, brushed over with a common 

 broom. 



A trench, of course, must have been excavated where the gutter is to 

 be. The sides of the gutter can be laid up with stone and cement, 

 which is probably the best way. In my own case I used timbers six by 

 ten, set on edge, for side of gutter next cattle. I now believe this to 

 have been unnecessary. The cement in the gutter should be polished 

 with steel trowel. About eight inches deep by eighteen wide is a good 

 size for the gutter. The platform on which cows stand should have 

 about one and a half inches slope from tie to gutter. Plank may be 

 placed on this platform for cows to stand on or not, as preferred. 



The principal points to success in the construction of concrete floors 

 are: First, to secure a perfectly solid foundation. A comparatively thin 

 layer of cement concrete on a solid foundation will endure forever, 

 while if the foundation gives, a thick layer of the concrete will soon 

 crack. Second, it is absolutely essential that water be kept out from 

 under the floor. Third, use only best grade of cement. The cheap 

 cements are dear at any price. 



Floors of this kind are also as desirable for horse stable, pig pens, 

 etc., as for cows. The concrete in the horse stalls, however, should be 

 covered with plank and the layer of concrete in the rest of the stable 

 should be heavier than is necessary for cows. 



It has not been the intent of this article to cover the entire subject of 

 cement floors for stables, but only to point out their desirability and to 

 indicate a cheaper method, where the materials are available, of their 



