Cement and Concrete Fence Posts. 5 
enough stronger to justify anyone in constructing it in preference 
to the tamped one at the necessary additional expense for molds. 
The poured post is smoother, more nearly impervious to water, not 
so 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 immediately, the post remaining on the bot¬ 
tom piece until the cement has set. Thus the same mold can be con¬ 
tinuously used for making as many posts as are desired. The ne¬ 
cessity for but one mold makes this type of post less expensive than 
the poured one. The results of the test 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. 
Molds For Tamped Posts .—In this 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 into the mold to a depth of about one inch. The reinforce¬ 
ment is then placed and the mold is next filled, and the mixture 
tamped, so that only about one inch of material 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 con¬ 
sists in smoothing off the top of the post with a trowel and re¬ 
moving the mold. This is done by unfastening some form of hook 
or clasp, slipping the sides of the mold a little distance 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 that there are no cross 
pieces to interfere with the placing of the reinforcement, the tamp¬ 
ing of the mixture, and the smoothing off of the top of the post at 
the finish. 
Molds For Poured Posts .—The more common forms are 
made of sheet iron, either galvanized or plain. For posts having 
a continual taper from top to bottom, sheet iron molds prove very 
