PART NINE— ROPE WORK 



CHAPTER LXXXV 



ROPE, KNOTS, AND SPLICES 



A practical knowledge of the correct ways of tying, 

 hitching, and splicing ropes is valuable to any farmer. His 

 work is such that an extended use must be made of ropes; 

 and such knowledge will not only be convenient and save 

 time, but will also be a means of averting accidents. Only 

 the more important knots, hitches, and splices will be dis- 

 cussed. 



Kinds of Rope. Mention has been made in a former 

 chapter concerning the various kinds of rope in use for 

 transmitting power. The rope used for general purposes 

 about the farm is hemp rope. As most of it is made from 

 Manila hemp imported from the Philippine Islands, it is 

 generally known as Manila rope. Cotton rope is some- 

 times used for halters or ties. 



In making rope, the fibers are first spun into a cord or 

 yarn, being twisted in a direction called "righthand." Sev- 

 eral of these cords are then made into a "strand" by being 

 twisted in the opposite direction, or "lefthand." The rope 

 is finally made up of three or four of these strands twisted 

 "righthand," and is known as a three- or a four-strand rope, 

 depending upon the number of strands used. The four- 

 strand rope is constructed on a core, and is heavier, more 

 pliable, and stronger than the three-strand, in any given size. 



Strength of Rope. The following table gives the strength 

 and weight of some of the common sizes of three-strand 

 Manila rope when new and free from knots. The smallest 



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