1803. Ohfervations. on the cQuJlruBion of Gates ^ iS'^ 



Length. Grf atefl Tapered to 



thickncfs. 

 Feet. In. In. by Jn. In. by In, 



Heel - 44 



Head - 44 



Rul . 9 o 31 ^i i\ ^l 



5 Bars - 9 O 3; 1 2; J 



X)iagonal Lacing 9 6 

 Larger Upright La- 

 cing. - 28 3]- 

 Smaller ditto a 8 ^ ■ 



which will be found to form a well proportioned gate, the whole 

 of the eight parts at the head prefenting to 'the eye ^\ inclies, 

 and feven out of the eight parts at the heel, that is, all excepting 

 the heel itfelf, prefent 3^ inches. 



The diagonal lacing is fitted into the heel by a ftrong butin.cnt, 

 even with the lowed bar, and its fmrjler end meets the upper 

 angle at the head, and is conllned laterally by two upright lac^gs ; 

 this would keep up the rail, provided the head were not pulhed 

 forward, and that is prevented by an iron ftrap of equal length to 

 the gate, being attached to, or forming a part of the upper thim- 

 ble in the firil inftance, where it holds the heel of the gate by the 

 flioulder of the thimble ; it is afterwards fcrewed to the rail at 

 proper diftances ; and laftly, fecures the whole work together, by 

 a fcrew nut, rounded and let into the front of the gate's head *. 

 By this arrangement, the gate is in facl fafpended by the iron 

 ft rap and rail, inftead of the heel, which afTilb greatly in prevent- 

 ing any drain upon the mortifes by the gate's own weight, or o- 

 ther^vife : I cannot imagine a gate of a more durable conllruclion, 

 and it feems particularly well calculated for Road gates \. The 

 faftening F is remarkably eafy for a horfeman to open, and as 

 difhcult, if not impoflible, to be opened by cattle : the upright 

 wire of the latch is furnifhed with a guard, and the mortife of the 

 head of the gate, through which the latch pailes, is tiniihcd with 



fheet 



* The iron ftrap is about an inch by a quarter of an incli in fubftancc, for onr 

 ''.alt of its length, when it is tapered towards the head of the gate. At the end near- 

 eft to the thimble, it is made itronger for a few inches ; and clofe to the flioulder 

 «'f the thimble, it ftiould be as much as half an inch thick : the edges arc chamfer- 

 ed off, and the whole appears to be gradually tapered from the htel to the head of 

 the gate, widcnijig a little round the hole which is left for the upright part of the 

 latch adjoining to the handle. 



f In refpedt to a field, through which there is no common road, it Is immaterial 

 what fort of gntes may be ufed, fo that they be made fecure agninfc cattle. 



