16 Farmers' Bulletin 1057. 



Laylnij. — Before hn'ing the concrete the molds should be set and 

 thoroughly braced into i^lace. The side forms may be suspended iii 

 the excavation with their lower edges G inches from the bottom. 

 They are held in place by crosspieces nailed to the uprights and of 

 sufficieijt length to rest on supports placed several feet from the edges 

 of tltfe excavation. The concrete for the bottom and incline is de- 

 posited first, the mixture being of a consistence that water will flush 

 to the surface on ramming. The mixtures for the sides and end 

 should be very wet and thoroughly puddled into place. The con- 

 sistence of the concrete for the side walls should be such that it will 

 run off the shovel unless handled quickly. 



The laying of the concrete should be done, if possible, in one 

 operation, so there will be no joints between new and old work. If 

 it becomes necessary to do the concrete work on two or more da3^s 

 the surface to receive the new concrete should be washed clean and 

 coated with a grout of pure Portland cement and water mixed to 

 the consistence of cream. The new concrete should be placed before 

 the grout has set. Extreme care must be taken to prevent dirt from 

 falling on top of the fresh concrete. 



The forms should not be removed until the concrete is set, which 

 in moderate weather takes place in about 24 hours. Wet down the 

 concrete about twice in 24 hours until the forms are removed. In 

 damp, cold weather at least 48 hours should be allowed before re- 

 moving the forms. It is advisable, especially in water-soaked 

 ground, to allow the forms to remain in place for one week before 

 removal. 



Surfacing or fhiishing coat. — Dampen the walls before applying 

 the finishing coat. Cover the entire inside surface of walls and 

 floor with a coating of cement and sand, mixed half-and-half, and 

 with water enough to make it " quaky." Place a small quantity of 

 the mixture on a float ; beginning at the bottom of the wall as near 

 the floor as possible, make one stroke upward ; take up another float 

 of the cement-sand mixture, overlap the ending of the last float and 

 make another upward stroke, llepeat until walls are completed. 

 Do not try to float the walls too smooth. Finish with cement and 

 water mixed to thickness of cream and applied with a kalsominc or 

 whitewash brush. 



Exit incline. — The exit incline, as shown in the plans (figure 5), 

 is not so steep as to require a cleated false bottom. The surface, 

 however, should be finished very roughly to permit the animals (o 

 maintain a secure foothold. 



Slide. — The slide for dry or range cattle may be built only 2 feet 

 long with a drop of 2 feet. For daiiT cows, however, it is advisniilo 

 to have a slide 4 feet long, that is, long enough for the cow to stand 



