444 THE YOUNG FARMER'S MANUAL. 



in length when cold. But when such a rule is used there is no 

 allowance to be made and no liability to make mistakes. 



694. Squares are not always " square " or true. They may 

 be readily tested when purchasing them, by holding them against 

 the straight edge of a board, and making a mark across it, and 

 then reverse it ; and if the arm of the square is exactly paral 

 lel with the mark, the square is true. Let squares and rules be 

 kept bright by rubbing them with a piece of white chalk. 



695. Measuring poles are very convenient many times. I 

 have three of different lengths. One is six feet in length, three- 

 eighths of an inch thick at the ends and an inch wide at the ends, 

 and half an inch thick at the middle and two inches wide, gradu 

 ated to three inch spaces at the ends. Another is ten feet long, 

 one inch wide and half an inch thick at the ends, and in the mid 

 dle two inches wide, graduated in feet. Another, of the same 

 size as the ten feet pole, is sixteen and a half feet long, correctly 

 graduated to half feet. These are all made of baswood, very 

 straight and true, and varnished with three coats of shellac, (see 

 next vol.,) and a piece of sheet copper, just the size of the ends, 

 is neatly fitted and screwed on the ends, to keep them true and 

 square. All these poles have their appropriate place in the shop, 

 where they will lie in a straight position ; and when they are 

 not in use they are returned promptly to their places. It will 

 injure them very much to get very wet, by springing and warp 

 ing them. 



696. Instead of poles, many men have a graduated tape, two 

 or four rods in length, which is wound up in a circular case of 

 stiff leather, and can be carried in the pocket. In measuring, 

 the tape is drawn out of one side of the case, a part or the entire 

 length. The tape is usually graduated on one side into feet and 

 inches, and on the opposite side is a graduation into Units for 

 measuring land. But for ordinary purposes, and especially for 

 correct measuring, and for cheapness, poles are far the best, and 

 the most convenient. One man can measure alone with a rod 

 pole very expeditiously, while with a tape it would be very diffi 

 cult for him to measure alone. 



