THE YOUNG FARMER'S MANUAL. 233 



twice as easy, as it could be done with spade or crowbar. For 

 digging up the earth in the bottom of post holes, when no dirt 

 auger is used, a spud is far better than a crowbar. Any good 

 blacksmith can make a spud, and the cost will be from $1 50 to 

 $2 50, according to the size and weight of it. 



314. Description. a is the blade, from two and a half to three 

 inches wide, and about half an inch thick and a foot long, and of 

 the best of iron, and the edge or lower end of the blade, for two 

 or three inches, all steel, properly tempered for cutting stone and 

 gravel. The edge is bevelled from both sides like a crowbar. 

 b is the socket, large enough to receive a handle two inches in 

 diameter, and not less than four inches deep. The handle c 

 should be round and tapering, and made of the firmest and tough 

 est timber. If it is two inches in diameter at the socket, it will 

 be of a fair proportion if it is made of a true taper to the 

 upper end, which should be about one inch and an eighth in 

 diameter. The whole tool is about six feet in length. Re 

 member that a spud is not made to pry or lift with, like a 

 handspike, but to cleave off the dirt, and to dig it up, so that 

 it can be taken out of the holes with the dirt spoon. Let 

 the edge be made as thin as will be consistent with sufficient 

 strength. If it is too thin it will soon break or bend. 



THE RAMMER. 



315. The rammer (Fig. 101) is used for packing the earth 

 firmly around posts. In using it workmen are too apt to 



FIG. 101. 



o 



THK RAMMER. 



pack the dirt close around the posts and leave much of it 

 untouched with the rammer. The dirt should be well rammed 

 from the post to every side of the hole. The rammer should 

 be about five feet in length. The large part of it should be 

 about four inches in diameter and twenty inches long, and the 



