THE YOUNG FARMER'S MANUAL. 65 



shows how a log may be split into three bar-posts by tracing on 

 the sides as the wedges are driven in the end. "We first take off 

 a slab, and if the timber does not split rather freely it is very lia- 



FIG. 14. 



MANNER OF SPLITTING A LOG INTO TUREE BAR-POSTS. 



ble to run out and spoil a post. It is very impracticable to give 

 a perfect idea on paper of splitting timber correctly. 



THE LENGTH OF RAILS AND STAKES. 



67. The most common length for rails is twelve feet, although 

 many farmers make them ten, eleven, and even fourteen feet in 

 length ; but when we consult convenience and economy in split 

 ting and handling, as a general rule twelve feet for rails is the 

 best length. If timber should split very freely, there is no objec 

 tion to cutting them fourteen feet long ; on the contrary, if timber 

 should not split well it might be a matter of good economy to cut 

 them ten or eleven feet long ; but there ought to be a uniform 

 length for rails on every farm, because when rails are of different 

 lengths there will be more or less disadvantage in making them 

 into a fence. Large logs should be sawed in two, just twelve 

 feet long, and smaller logs may be cut with an axe ; and as every 

 rail cut should be measured with a pole just twelve feet long, 

 each cut should be measured from the middle of the chip, or axe- 

 cut, and the top end of each cut should be left square ; this will 

 make the heart rails a little longer than the outside rails. But in 

 laying the foundation for a fence, if there should be a little varia 

 tion in the length of rails, it should be remembered to select i|rsf, 

 the sap rails, and if the heart rails project a litt}e m^re than is 

 necessary at the joints, it will do no haym, 



68. The length of stakes should always be rcgu.la.tecl by t}io 



