Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-09-04
wHEAT--wErGHTs AND mEA-
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HARD TO BEAr.-Mr. Delashmuit, of
Buckeystown, Frederick county, Nd,
delivered load of Wheat at the Mono
cacy Mills few days ago, weighing SO
pounds per bushel. 1t is believed his
whole crop will average 6s IL pounds
per bushel.-Bah. Clipper.
This certainly surPasses 10 soeigh any wheat
raised in the County Of Berkeley. far as our in
formation extends, although our crop is one of re-
markedly fine quality. But is there not some de-
csption effected, in thus stating the weight Of Ma
rylsnd wheat, compared with that, grown upon
this aide Of the Potomac We do not profess to
be at all familiar with the standard of weights and
measures established by the State Of Maryland,
but we have derived the Information from reliable
sources, that their bushe has somewhat greater
capacity than ours. If this be so, it will at once
account for the apparent difference in the weight
Of their wheat and ours. viii some OF our Mary
land friends be so good enlighten upon this
subject
The standard bushel in Virginia is tina, which is
usually called the Enghsh Winchester Bashsi,
established in the 18th wear of the Reign OF Hen
y VII 1902 land subsequently more particular
y regulated and ascertained by an act Of Parlia-
meni passed in 1897 Perhaps a more special re-
ference to our legislation on the subject, msy inte-
rest readers
By an act of ocr Colonial Legislature passed in
1874, the weights and measures in this Colony were
declared to be "aecording TO fhs standard Of TIE
Ezcheqaer in England"
BY the 9th Section OF the LIST article Of the Con-
stitution of the United States adopted in 1887 the
power. was conided TO Congress "to fix the stan
dard Of weights and measures"
Our General Assembly in 1892 passed an ret,
providing that the act of 1894 should continue and
remain in force until the Congress of the U. S.
shall have made provision on the subject"
This power conferred upon Congress has so far
remained dormant, from the many difficulties at
tendant upon the subject, although it has been
pestedy brought to the attention of that body in
most elaborate reports. Until Congress shall fix
a standard the States possess the unquesiionsble
power to fix their own weights and measures--and
accordingly weights and measures in Virginia are
now regulated by the act ofl734.
What then is the measure of Bushel, according
to the standard Of the English Ercheqaer1
BY the Act of the British Parliament passed
1897 and before referred to, it is determined, that
every round bushel with plain and even bottom,
being l8t inches in diameter and eight inches deep
should be esteemed legal Winchester Bushe, &C
quer. A vessel thus made will contain 2I50.42
cubit inches. The water required to fill it, will
weigh ISL ounces and fourteen pennyweights troy.
By recent act of the same Parliament, passed
IN the S Geo. 4th--(having however no authority
with us) the Imperial bushel was established,
which prescribed to contain 22l8 1872 cubt inch
es, to be made round with plain and even bottom,
and being ;3iS inches in the interior diameter by
in depth and 1873 inches from outside to outside.
1t will thus be seen that the old English Bushel
by which ice are governed, differs from that
tablished BY laws in England as follows:-
The Virginia or Winchester Bush
ell contains 215040 C. in.
The Imperial Bushel. 22ls 1872, do.
Which of these. if either, is the standard in Ma
ryland
Ltis interesting to remark the various dimensions
Of bushel which local usage and custom have
tablished in different portions of England. At
Abingdon bushel contains 9 gallons. At Dor
chester 10 gallons. At Appleby is gallons. Al
Carlisle "a gallons. At Chester 80 gallons.
We should like to know by what bushel our Ma
ryland friends weigh their wheat before we can
yield the fact thar their grain is heavier than ours.