264 CORN 



the car in rounding curves will surely spring weak sheathings and 

 allow the escape of grain, which the linings will not prevent. Leak- 

 age at sheathings is not readily detected unless the cars are in motion. 



Leaks due to defective door and end posts are liable to be serious. 

 Therefore, a careful examination of them should be made before 

 loading. When there is any evidence of weakness in these posts, the 

 inside of the car at these points should be lined with burlap or cloth 

 in such a manner as to prevent leakage should they give away. 



End doors which extend to the floor are a source of many leaks 

 and should therefore receive a careful examination, and if cooperage 

 be necessary, it should be on the inside of the car. A grain door set 

 on end will afford good protection. Always lock or cleat the end 

 windows on the inside and do not neglect to board them high enough. 



In referring to end windows when preparing cars for grain, Mr. 

 R. C. Richards, Claim Agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Com- 

 pany, writes: "When you load cars, fasten the end doors inside with 

 a cleat, since it is through these doors that robberies occur. That 

 is the reason we want them cleated before loading with grain." 



The lining of cars should also receive careful attention on the part 

 of the loader, as grain lodging behind them frequently amounts to 

 several hundred pounds ; and where it lodges in pockets is often lost 

 to the shipper. A careful cooper will pay particular attention to this 

 point. 



In addition to the above, special attention is directed to the floors, 

 more particularly when small grains such as flaxseed, rye and wheat 

 are to be loaded. 



Aside from repairing large defects in a car to be loaded with bulk 

 grain, any shipper can secure the best insurance against leakage at 

 the least expense by lining the cars to be loaded as they are frequently 

 and most successfully Ifned for flaxseed. 



The cost of preparing a car in this manner varies from fifteen to 

 thirty cents for the material, according to its condition. 



Size of Cars. Box cars for the shipment of grain have capacities 

 varying from 30,000 to 100,000 pounds. Their dimensions range from 

 27 feet 6 inches in length and 7 feet, 10 1-2 inches in width, to 40 feet 

 in length and 8 feet 6 inches in width. The grain line which is placed 

 in cars for the purpose of preventing overloading and underloading, 

 varies in height in the case of corn from 3 feet to 6 feet 7 inches. 



It is not expected that corn will weigh out according to the meas- 

 urement or grain line in car. According to the Chicago Shippers' 

 Manual, corn testing 55 pounds occupies approximately 2,090 cubic 



