^<5^ JAOQGS IxJAV 23 



Material for Concrete Floors 



The dirt floor of the stable should be as level as possible, thoroughly 

 tamped and well wet, so that no settling will occur. 



It IS advisable, before laying the concrete, to spread a foundation of porous 

 material, such as gravel, cinders or sand, evenly on the surface and thoroughly 

 tamp. The depth of this porous foundation will depend upon the drainage 

 of the soil. Where a fill of earth has been provided, this foundation need not 

 be more than four inches thick. 



Thickness of Concrete Floor 



The usual thickness of a stable floor is four inches concrete grout with '/2 

 inch to 1 inch thick facing on top of the concrete grout. 



Proportions of Materials 



A mixture of one part of Portland cement, two and a half parts sharp, 

 coarse, clean sand, and five parts coarse, clean gravel is used; for the upper 

 %-inch facing one part of Portland cement, two parts sharp coarse clean sand. 

 No loam., dust, vegetable matter or clay should be allowed in the material, 

 as it tends to form a layer over the face and keeps the cement from binding it 

 into a solid mass. 



Mixing the Concrete 



The water used should be fresh and clean, free from any acids or strong 

 alkalis. The water should not be put in the mixer with a hose, but should be 

 measured, and when the proper consistency has been found, use exactly the 

 same amount for each batch. 



The concrete should be mixed in batches. All materials should be first 

 thoroughly mixed dry, after which the water is added and the mixing continued 

 until the concrete is uniform. 



Gutter 



A properly constructed gutter is very essential to insure strict sanitation. 

 It should have vertical sides, at least four inches deep, to break the spatter, 

 and make it easy to clean with an ordinary shovel. The size of gutter which 

 has proven most satisfactory is sixteen inches wide, six or seven inches deep 

 on the stall side and four inches deep on the other. Often the alley back of 

 the cow is pitched just a trifle, so that the liquid manure and flushing water 

 will run back into the gutter. 



Mangers and gutters should be provided with drainage, to be used only 

 for washing out — never for the purpose of removing the manure. 



