THE YOUNG FARMER'S MANUAL. 63 



eight good rails, the true way is to quarter it first, and then split 

 those quarters in two. If we attempt to split off of one side one 

 rail, in most timber it would be sure to run out before it would 

 split half the length of the log. The following cuts will furnish 

 the learner with a more correct idea how a large log is to be split 

 into rails, stakes, or posts. In the first place, split the log intc 

 quarters, if practicable, whether it is to be split into rails, stakes, 

 or posts. Fig. 1 1 represents one of those quarters split into rails. 

 After a log has been split into quarters, split FIG. 11. 



the quarter in two again, as nearly in the 

 middle as may be. If the workman cannot 

 stick his wedge within half an inch of the 

 centre of a quarter of a log at sight, he had 

 better measure the distance. Now split these 

 pieces, first in the direction a a a, then split 

 off the heart rail b b, then split c c, and we 

 have three rails. Split the other heart piece, QUARTER OF L00 

 like the first, into three rails ; split the sap 

 pieces at c?, and split each piece at e e. Sometimes it is better to 

 set the wedge in the middle of a stick, half-way from each end, 

 then to set it at the end, when splitting a piece that will make two 

 rails, as at c c, for example. When a wedge is set half-way from 

 each end, in the middle of the stick, if the crack does not run in 

 the middle, each way from the wedge, sometimes a blow or two 

 with an axe will start it, so as to make it split in the middle ; and 

 sometimes it is necessary to set another wedge half-way between 

 the middle and the end. A little practice will enable the builder, 

 if he has a little good skill, to split timber very accurately, with 

 out spoiling but few pieces. The same rules are observed in 

 splitting stakes as in splitting rails; only it is necessary, first, in 

 splitting a quarter, to make a little estimate how many pieces a 

 quarter or an eighth of a log will make. In splitting fence 

 posts it frequently occurs that a piece is too large for one post, 

 and too small for two posts. In such a case, if a stake cannot be 

 split off without its running out, it is best not to attempt to split 

 it again, lest both pieces be spoiled. 

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