290 GENERAL ECONOMY OF THE- FARM. 



length, height, &c. of the gate may be varied to suit circum- 

 stances but the proportions should be preserved. 



The posts may consist of wood, well sunk in the ground 

 any coarse timber of sufficient strength and durability may be 

 employed. But we would earnestly recommend in every case 

 where they can be obtained, single stones of granite, green- 

 stone, or any harder rock that can be fashioned into the shape 

 of a pillar. The band of the hinge should pass through the 

 wood or stone, as shewn in the figure, and firmly fixed by a bolt 

 or screw nut on the opposite side. The band of the latch and 

 hinge should in like manner pass through the post or stone 

 pillar, and be fixed by a screw nut 



The latch may be of various forms. That shewn in the 

 figure is a spring two feet in length, to which at right angles 

 is fixed a piece of .iron which passes through the upright bar 

 of the gate. This piece of iron, by means of two joints, acts 

 as a lever when the hand is placed upon it, and withdraws the 

 latch. 



All the mortices of a gate, and the parts at which the diago- 

 nal and braces cross the bars, should be carefully coated with 

 white lead and after the parts of the gate are joined together, 

 the whole should receive two efficient coats of good oil paint. 

 Gates are sometimes, as a matter of convenience, so hung as 

 to shut of themselves when opened. We should think it best 

 to have the hinges move in a socket; as they are more firmly 

 supported, and can be made to move more smoothly by occa- 

 sionally introducing into the socket a small portion of oil. 



