HOUSE AND GARDEN 
April, 
1914 
337 
All the tools required are a tight floor, 
platform or large box in which to mix, 
a square-pointed shovel and a hoe, with 
which to handle and mix the material; a 
peck or larger measure for measuring, 
and a couple of pails to carry water, or 
fresh cement in, if it has to be poured into 
forms. 
In making the concrete, these materials 
are mixed together in varying proportions, 
according to the requirements of the work 
to be done. The more cement used in 
proportion to the other things used, the 
stronger the concrete. 
Medium Mixture — For Ordinary work, 
such as walls, walks, curbs, small founda¬ 
tions, etc., use 1 part Portland cement, 2 
sand and 5 gravel, by bulk. 
For thin walls, posts, troughs, or any 
materials which must be strong and imper¬ 
vious, use 1 part cement, 2 sand and 4 
gravel. For abutments, foundations, re¬ 
taining walls and other use where bulk 
rather than great strength is the object, 
use 1 cement, 3 sand and 6 gravel. 
In making walks care must be taken to 
have the foundations firm, well drained 
and even before the top is laid down. 
Except in good stiff soil a foundation 
layer of broken stone or very coarse gravel 
is desirable, if not actually necessary. For 
a hard, smooth surface, or to finish off 
gutters or curbs, mix thirty shovelfuls 
sharp sand to a bag of cement (or about 
three shovelfuls to each ten pounds of ce¬ 
ment), and apply before the base has 
hardened. 
Carefully measure out the gravel, sand 
and cement and shovel them over once or 
twice to get the cement fairly well dis¬ 
tributed before applying the water. Add 
the latter gradually, working over quickly, 
until the mass is of an even consistency 
and thin enough to pour, or spread, and 
put into place at once. If the wet concrete 
is allowed to make its initial “set” it should 
not be used. 
Forms — For constructing walls of build¬ 
ings, and for many other purposes “forms” 
are used. They may be readily con¬ 
structed from ordinary boards, free from 
rough splinters or knotholes. For heavy 
work plank are better, as they do not give 
so readily. In either case brace all forms 
thoroughly, so that they will not bulge 
under the pressure of the wet concrete, 
which should be tamped down firmly into 
place. It should set for a day or more, and 
then the forms should be carefully re¬ 
moved. If the concrete is to be subjected 
to use or strain at once, the forms should 
be left for a longer period. Protect fresh 
concrete from possible freezing. 
In connection with the use of concrete, 
or even without it, the use of gas or water- 
pipe, either new or second-hand (which 
may be bought very cheaply) offers many 
possibilities in the way of repair or con¬ 
struction. You can order the pipe cut to 
any desired length, so that by the use of 
“split fittings,” which are now made for a 
great variety of purposes, you can put up 
iron work that does not have to be water 
Willow Furniture 
Never before have our stocks been as comprehensive as they are this season. 
The new models are built on beautiful lines and the prices are very moderate. 
Stool, No. 1001 ----- $3.00 
Side Chair, No. 1002 ----- 7.00 
Arm Chair, No. 1003 ----- 9.00 
Table, No. 1004 ----- 11.00 
Sofa, No. 1005 ----- 19.00 
The above prices do not include cushions, for which an additional charge is 
made dependent on character of material used. 
Illustrated Booklet sent upon Request. 
McGihbon & Co. 
3 West 37th Street (just off Fifth Ave.) NEW YORK 
Let our book help you in the 
selection of your 
Lighting Fixtures 
You will find it: a cyclopedia of the most 
appropriate and most efficient, lighting fixtures 
for every room, in town or country home. And 
our moderate prices will pleasantly surprise 
you. Please request our Lighting fixture Catalog 
No. 84H65. It will be mailed to you free. 
Sears, Roebuck and Co. 
Chicago 
mi I Jls 
A GARDEN is never quite complete without attractive, 
comlortabie furniture. 
We design and make a great variety of Old English Gar- 
den Furniture, Chairs, Seats, Tables, Trellises, Arbors, Per- 
golas, Houses and Gates. 
Send for complete catalog, mentioning this medium. 
NORTH SHORE FERNERIES CO. 
BEVERLY, MASS. 
New York Showroom: Craftsman Building, East 39th Street 
In writing to advertisers please mention House & Garden. 
