64 



THE YOUNG FARMER'S MANUAL. 



66. In splitting bar-posts, or any pieces that are required to 

 be thin and wide, first split the log in two, and if it is a large one 

 quarter it. Make calculations how many posts a quarter will 

 make, splitting from the heart to the bark. If a quarter will 

 make four, split it in the centre, and these pieces again in the 

 centre. If they are wider than necessary, take off a stake from 

 the heart side, as at Fig. 12. If half a log will make about six 

 posts, it is not best to quarter it first, because FJQ. 12. 

 each piece then would contain timber enough 

 for three posts each, and there would be dan 

 ger of spoiling a post in attempting to split 

 only one post from a stick which is large 

 enough for three ; therefore, divide the half 

 log into three equal parts, and first split off a 

 piece large enough for two posts, and ^^ 

 split the pieces in two in the middle. The POSTS - 



workman would do well, after opening the end a little, to set a 

 wedge or two in the side of the stick, to prevent its running 

 out, and drive all the wedges at once, or drive that wedge the 

 most which seems to split the truest and straightest. When tim 

 ber is not inclined to split exactly straight, by tracing it with the 

 axe and beetle the whole length of the stick it can be made to 

 split tolerably straight. In splitting a log eight or ten inches in 

 diameter into bar-posts, or any other wide posts, make an esti 

 mate how many a log will make ; if it will make four, split it 

 through the centre, and then, by tracing or starting it a little with 



FIG. 13. 



MANNER OF SPLITTING A LOG INTO FOUR POSTS. 



the axe and beetle on the side, the two halves may be split in 

 two again the wide way, as represented by Fig. 13. Fig. 14 



