686 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [lo Oct.. 191 r. 



striking it over the edge of the anvil. Tlie depth of the cut varies with 

 the thickne.ss of the bar and the quality of the metal ; in thi.s case, a nick 

 .'-bout ^ in. deep will be adequate. 



It will be noticed that .sometimes the bars break off easily; whilst, on 

 other occasions, difficulty in separating them is experienced. This is due 

 to the difference in the quality and the temperature of the metal. On 

 examining the fracture of a bar that has broken off easily, it will be 

 observed that a portion, or the whole, of the broken .section is crystalline 

 in structure, and bright in colour. On the contrary, when harder lo 

 break, the appearance of the fracture is grey in colour and the fibres are 

 distinctly visible. Iron showing the latter class of fracture is the best. 

 Such work as links, hooks, shackles, and bolts, in fact, anything .subject to 

 vibration, should never be made from crystallized iron, for the reason that 

 it breaks off suddenly. A great deal n'.ight be written concerning the cau.se 

 of the crystallization of iron, but it would be superfluous in these articles. 

 The farmer simply desires to know how to .select the material for his 

 requirements. 



Having broken off the piece, the next thing is to bend a circle at one 

 end to form a handle. A convenient size will be 2 in., inside measure- 

 ment. Previous to doing the practical work it will be necessary to make 



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27. POKER. 



a ' ' 



.. simple calculation regarding the length requisite 

 for forming the circle. This will be equal to 

 3i times the sum of the diameter of the bar and 

 the internal diameter of the circle. Thus, ^ the 

 diameter of the bar l)eing- i in., and the internal diameter of the circle 

 2 in., the length will equaf (2 + i) x 3! = 7s in. (nearly). In prac- 

 tice, the nearest sixteenth of an inch is con.=;idere(l sufficiently accurate. 



Mark off this length from the end of the bar; and, with the centre 

 punch, mark the position as .shown at a (Fig. 27). Place in the fire arid 

 heat to a bright red, taking care that the part to be bent is uniformly 

 heated. It should then be removed from the fire and bent as shown at b. 

 To do this place the centre punch mark level with the furthermost edge 

 of the anvil, and strike with the ball of the hand-hammer about ij in. 

 from the centre punch mark ; a few blows only will he necessary to bend 

 it to the required shape. The second operation is to place the bent por- 

 tion on the beak-horn of the anvil, and start by hitting on the point of 

 the bar and continuing striking wherever necessary until- the correct shape 

 be formed, as shown by dotted lines c. 



This exerci.se is a splendid one for the beginner. It teaches him the 

 value of making calculations, and is also excellent training for the eye 

 and hand. It is remarkal)le how true a person with a practised eye can 

 form a circle on the anvil with no other tool than a hammer. To com- 

 plete the poker, a point should be made on the other end. This operation 

 appears to the onlooker to be a very simple one. but it requires consider- 

 able practice to do it properly, on accouiit of the bar having to be raised 



