CHAPTER XLI 



MEASURING DISTANCES 



IN order roughly to measure distances, between trees for 

 example, planters should learn to measure more exactly the 

 distance they stride. A yard is a good long stride for most men. 

 If one can depend on stepping exactly 2j feet or 3 feet, it con- 

 tinually comes in useful on a plantation. It is also useful to be 

 able to walk distances at a certain fixed rate of progression per 

 mile and be able to depend on its being approximately correct. 

 A square mile being 640 acres, or vice-versa, an area can be 

 checked by walking steadily at a known rate of progression. 

 Had some visiting agents been equipped with such knowledge 

 it might have prevented 250 acres being reported on as approxi- 

 mately 600 acres. Such things have happened more than 

 twice. 



The following lengths multiplied by breadths equal an 

 acre: 



220 yards long by 22 yards wide 

 121 40 " 

 no 44 



88 55 



694 70 



There are 4840 square yards in i acre. Ten square chains 

 equal I acre, and, as before stated, 640 acres equal i square mile. 



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