4 ENGINEERING ON THE FARM 



though it is an error, owing to the fact that he knew the 

 results obtained by the recorder. 



All original records and computations should be made on 

 the assumption that errors will occur, and every possible 

 method of eliminating them should be used. It frequently 

 happens that one person makes a wrong record and another 

 a wrong computation and the results check. One mistake 

 balances the other. Where practicable, it is well for some 

 third check method to be used. A new employee should 

 not resent frequent checking of his work by other assistants 

 or superiors who may have had more experience and under- 

 stand the necessity of carefully guarding against errors. 

 The experienced man is always willing to have his data 

 checked in every way possible. 



The copying of notes introduces a source of error, and the 

 original records should be preserved and sent in even though 

 they may not be as presentable as a copied record. Notes 

 which are copied should be marked "Copy" and reference 

 made to the location of the originals. 



Correcting errors. When an error is found in a recorded 

 figure, a light line should be drawn through the figure and 

 the correct one placed above it. This clearly indicates to 

 the reader that the figure has been canceled and corrected, 

 and the original is still legible. A correction made by 

 erasing, writing one figure on top of another, or changing a 

 figure is generally indistinct and confusing. 



Clearness of terms. Words and terms used should be 

 explicit and those with two meanings avoided. Technical 

 terms should not be employed unless they have become 

 standardized and are known to be familiar to all those who 

 would probably have occasion to make use of the data. The 

 terms "right" or "left" hand have no definite meaning, and 

 have no place in a notebook unless the recorder has clearly 

 explained in what direction he was facing when he used the 

 words "right" and "left." The terms "right" and "left" 

 are definite only when associated with a stream or river. 



