14 



United States Railroad Administration. 



SPECIFICATIONS FOR CROSS TIES. 



Maximum Prices. 



Ties 8 feet are 6 per cent, less in price than above. 



Quality. All ties shall be free from any defects that may 

 impair their strength or durability as cross ties, such as decay, 

 splits, shakes or large or numerous holes or knots. 



Manufacture. Ties ought to be made from trees which have 

 been felled not longer than one month. 



All ties shall be straight, well-manufactured, cut square at 

 the ends, have top and bottom parallel, and have bark entirely 

 removed. 



Dimensions. All ties shall be 8 feet 6 inches long. 



All ties shall measure both sections between 20 and 40 

 inches from the middle of the tie; and dimensions given are 

 minimum. 



Ties over 1 inch more in thickness, over 3 inches more in 

 width, or over 2 inches more in length will be degraded or 

 rejected. 



The top of the tie is the plane farthest from the pith of the 

 tree, whether or not the pith is present in the tie. 



Delivery. All ties ought to be delivered to a railroad within 

 one month after being made. 



