Book IV. GATES APPROPRIATE TO AGRICULTURE. 



501 



would be at its highest elevation, and would have a tendency to fall either way until it arrives at A, when 

 the head will be at its lowest descent If the gate be shut, the spur and catch prevent the head from fall- 

 ing to its lowest position ; but the tendency it has to fall to A, is designed to assist in keeping the gate 

 closed. The iron- work of the gate ought at least to be painted. If the whole of the gate be painted, the 

 appearance is greatly improved ; and if, when painted, the wood be quite dry, it will be likely to last 

 longer. Gates, in close situations under trees, although painted, will sooner decay than gates not painted, 

 in open and more exposed grounds ; and this circumstance has, perhaps, induced some persons to conclude 

 that the paint, instead of the situation under trees, was injurious to the gates." 

 3082. Parker's compensation hinge for gates which are much in vse {fig. 495.) is an excellent corrective 



to their falling ; 

 all that is neces- 

 sary, when the 

 gate sinks at the 

 head, is to screw 

 it up by the nut 

 (n) till it regains 

 its original posi- 

 tion. For road 

 and farm - yard 

 gates the hinges 

 are valuable parts 

 of the construc- 

 tion. 



3083. A gate 

 should be so hung 

 as to have two 

 falls; one to the 

 hanging-post, to 

 make it catch, 



and the other to a point at right angle with the gateway, so as to keep it ftiUy open. To effect this pur- 

 pose, having set the post perpendicular, let a plumb-line be drawn upon it : on this line, at a proper height, 

 place the hook, so that it may project three inches and a half from the face of the post; and at a con. 

 venient distance below this place the lower hook an inch and a half to one side of the perpendicular line, 

 and projecting two inches from the face of the post ; then place the top loop or eye two inches from the 

 face of the hanging style, and the bottom loop three inches and a half: thus hung, the gate will have a 

 tendency to shut in every position. A gate so hung will have a tendency to shut in every position: 

 because if the weight of the gate be represented hy a diagonal line from the heel to the head, this, by the 

 resolution of forces, is resolvable into other two lines, one perpendicular, and the other horizontal ; the 

 former representing that part of the weight which presses in a perpendicular position, and the latter that 

 part of the weight which presses in a horizontal direction, and gives the gate a tendency to shut. 

 {Northumb. Rep. 63.) _ 



3084. Gales are generally constructed of timber, and whatever kind may be used it is 

 essential that it be well seasoned, as, without attention in this respect, they are soon de- 

 ranged in their structure by the heat of the sun : they should also be well and correctly 

 put together. Oak is undoubtedly the best sort of wood for the pxupose, where dura- 

 bility is the object ; though some of the lighter kinds of woods, as deal, willow, &c. will 

 often last a great length of time, as, from their lightness, they are not so apt to destroy 

 themselves. The lighter gates are made towards the head or opening part the better, 

 provided they are sufficiently strong for the purpose they are to serve ; and on this 

 account the top bars may, in many cases, as where horses are to be kept, be left con- 

 siderably stronger than the others. If this is not done, they are liable to be broken by 

 the animals rubbing their necks upon them, except where they are made very high. 

 Gates are generally made eight and a half or nine feet in width, and from five to six 

 feet in height ; the bars being three or four feet broad, and five or six in number. In 

 particular instances a smaller bar is introduced between the two lower ones, in order to 

 prevent small animals getting through. 



3085. Iron, both hammered and cast meted, has long been in use for ornamental gates 

 (Jig. 496.), and has lately come into use in some districts for field gates. Their eligibility 



must depend on their price and durability with relation to wood. At the ordinary prices 

 of wrought iron and oak, they will be found of doubtful economy j cast-iron gates are 

 too heavy, and too liable to be broken, for agricultural purposes. 



^9>6. Tlie posts or pillars to which gates are attached should, in all convenient cases, 

 be formed of stone ; as this material, when hewn and properly constructed, will last for 

 ages. When formed of wood, oak and larch are the best sorts. The latter, where suit. 



Kk 3 



