Cement and Concrete Fence Posts. 7 
In making poured posts in these molds exactly the same pro¬ 
cess is followed as with tamped posts in molds of the first class just 
described; with the exception that the mixture is not tamped and 
greater care must be exercised in preventing the reinforcement from 
being misplaced. 
Some forms of wood molds are made and used for the purpose 
of making poured posts only. Any desired form may be given to 
the post by properly shaping the mold. This point, in favor of the 
wood mold, is an extremely important one, as it permits the post to 
be made of uniform size from the bottom to the ground line, but 
with a rapid taper from this point to the top. Then too, the sides 
of the mold may be removed after 24 hours and used again in con¬ 
nection with other pallettes; while the post which has not yet be¬ 
come sufficiently strong to be removed from the pallette lies un¬ 
molested in its original place until it is ready to move. 
Molds which may be used for making either the tamped or the 
poured posts are much the same as the wooden molds for poured 
posts, except that they are stronger. The heavy, cast-iron molds 
could be used in making the poured posts as well as the tamped 
ones, but their original cost make them impracticable. The wooden 
molds serve the purpose equally well and are much cheaper. 
Selecting the Mold .—The most important point to be con¬ 
sidered in selecting the mold is the shape and size of it. Next 
to the shape and size we should look for ease of operation. The 
simple mold almost always proves to be the best, providing it has 
sufficient strength. 
Care of Molds .—Before the molds are used they should 
be well coated with some kind of heavy oil. Crude petroleum is 
perhaps the best and cheapest material for this purpose. In case 
the petroleum cannot be obtained, a good oily mixture may be made 
by stirring about two pounds of axle grease into a gallon of gaso¬ 
line. This mixture is applied to the molds with a brush. The 
gasoline evaporates, leaving a thin coat of axle grease spread over 
the entire surface of the mold. This oily mixture should be ap¬ 
plied to the outside as well as the inside of the mold, which makes 
it impossible for any of the material to cling to it. With the iron 
molds, the oil prevents rusting. In case the molds are made of 
wood, the oil helps to keep out the moisture, thus preventing shrink¬ 
ing and swelling, and also making them easier to keep clean. 
As soon as the mold is removed from the post all material 
sticking to it should be scraped off and the inside surface covered 
with a thin coating of oil. Great care should be taken not to allow 
the molds to become bruised or dented. If the molds are not to be 
used for a time, they should be thoroughly scraped and oiled, inside 
and out, and carefully laid away. 
