Cement and Concrete Fence Posts. 9 
hard to cure, stronger, somewhat more expensive, and can be better 
recommended than the tamped one. 
TAMPED POSTS. 
The tamped post is one in which the mixture contains very 
much less water than the poured one. It contains just enough water 
to make it hold together well when tamped. In the manufacturing 
of this type of post, only one mold is necessary. The mixture is 
tamped into it, and the sides of the mold can be removed immedi¬ 
ately, the post remaining on the bottom piece until the cement has 
set. Thus the same mold can be continuously used for making as 
many posts as are desired. The necessity for but one mold makes 
this type of post less expensive than the poured one. The results 
of the tests made, show that the tamped post is inferior to the poured 
one and cannot be placed in an equal class with it. 
On account of less water being used in the mixture for a 
tamped post than in the mixture for a poured one, the tamped post 
requires more water and attention in curing. It is of more open 
texture, less impervious to water, not as strong, and not as desir¬ 
able as the post of the poured type. 
POST MOLDS. 
In general, the molds in which cement or concrete posts are 
made may be divided into three main classes. 
First, those molds which are designed exclusively for manufac¬ 
turing tamped posts. 
Second, those which are made exclusively for manufacturing 
poured posts. 
Third, those which may be used for either tamped or poured 
posts. 
In the first class of molds we find mostly the heavy cast iron 
forms which are built of strong and heavy material. The most of 
these molds are designed to be laid upon pallettes or upon a smooth 
floor. The mixture is first tamped in the mold to a depth of about 
one inch. The reinforcement is then placed and the mold is next 
filled, and the mixture tamped, so that only about one inch of ma¬ 
terial remains to be filled in. The second set of reinforcement wires 
is put in place next and the mold is tamped full to overflowing. 
The last step consists in smoothing 1 off the top of the post with a 
trowel and removing the mold. This is done by unfastening some 
form of hook or clasp, slipping the sides of the mold a little dis¬ 
tance away from the post, and then removing the molds to the 
position chosen for the next post. 
The principal advantage of these molds lies in the fact that 
they being made of heavy iron need no center stays. This gives 
greater speed in operation, due to the fact there are no cross pieces 
