166 



LAND DRAINAGE 



has been able to check as closely with it as with the 

 higher-priced instruments. It is sometimes used by 

 architects and builders for checking 

 up the level of foundations for large 

 buildings, and in leveling shafting 

 where an intercepting wall prevents 

 the use of the ordinary level. As 

 a drainage level, its chief limitation 

 is that the distance over which a 

 single reading may be taken is 

 relatively short. 



214. Availability and cost. - 

 Garden hose is readily obtained in 

 most towns and villages. Indeed 

 it is used on many farms, so that 

 frequently it is already owned or is 

 easily obtained by the party desir- 

 ing to use it to construct a level. 

 Water gauge tubes, twelve inches 

 long, are not difficult to obtain 

 through the local hardware man, 

 who is likely to have them in stock. 



215. Materials needed. To 

 construct a hose-level one should 

 have the following material : 



Sixty feet of garden hose ; 

 Two 12-inch glass water gauge 

 tubes ; 



A few feet of strong copper wire 

 or flexible steel wire to close tightly 

 the ends of the hose about the gauge 

 tubes, and form a hook at each end of the hose by which the 

 end may be suspended when not in use, or for other reasons ; 



FIG. 70. Ends of hose- 

 level, showing the way 

 in which the height of 

 column should be read. 

 The meniscus in each 

 case, that is, the upper 

 end of the water in the 

 tube, is U-shaped. The 

 reading should always 

 be made to the bottom 

 of this U or meniscus. 



