On Measuring growing Timber. 263 



The gauge has also a movable joint upon its stalk, or handle, 

 by which means it can be placed square to any limb or branch, 

 so as to gauge them ; but it requires to be seen, before any con- 

 ception can be given of it. The one I have long used has this 

 motion regulated by means of a semicircular piece of ironwork 

 bracing the scale, and fixed tangent arms about 3 in. beyond 

 their point of junction, which hence prevents it gauging timber 

 below that diameter. 



The same motion can be given by means of a ball and socket, 

 which is both more elegant and universal. The other, however, 

 is more useful, as it strengthens the gauge at a point much 

 wanted. Mr. Gary, in the Strand, has one now in hand for me, 

 with all the improvements which my experience of the defects, 

 and his knowledge of construction, could suggest. 



On this it is proposed to have decimal multipliers stamped 

 upon the fixed tangent arm, so as to be always at hand when 

 any calculations are wanted on the spot ; and the same brass- 

 work is to be made to fit different sets of wooden arms, so as to 

 be suitable for large or small-sized timber ; it being inconvenient 

 to use a large gauge for the latter. I may also notice that, 

 instead of a regular gauge thus constructed, I have frequently 

 used one of a more ordinary description, being merely a flat 

 piece of wood, 3 in. or so in breadth, for the scale arm ; on the 

 under side of which the divisions for the quarter girt are 

 marked with strong black lines right across it, and having a 

 fixed tangent arm nailed upon one end of it, down into a round 

 short rod fitted for a tin tube, by which it can be sent up to any 

 height by means of other rods. By applying it to the tree, and 

 the observer standing so as to look square past it, the division 

 which cuts the opposite side from the fixed tangent arm can be 

 ascertained, and read off, although not so correctly as when the 

 perfect instrument is used. 



I have them also made in a rough manner, with all the scales 

 on them, and the slipping arm to move by the hand, which are 

 useful for gauging timber when lying on its side, being so much 

 quicker than the ordinary way ; and such a mode will be found 

 useful by all artificers who work with rough or unsquared timber, 

 as their common rectangular square might be readily fitted for 

 this purpose. 



The divisions for the quarter girt scale, allowing for the 

 bark, are found by dividing one foot in the ratio of 8'64 equal 

 parts, each division being l"388in. ; and such divisions, when 

 the gauge is applied to a tree, are representatives of the real 

 inches of its quarter girt when rectified, as formerly noticed, for 

 the allowance for the bark ; butit will be obvious that this scale 

 can be so varied as to make any other allowance which may be 

 V s 4 



