The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-04-02

Latin area. The denominations used
. are the ar and hektar or one square
hektometer.
In measuring cubic contents the
cubes of the measures of length are
used. Therefore tho cube of ten units,
or 1000 units makes unit of the next
higher denomination.
Thus, 900 cubic millimeters make !
cubic centimeter, etc.
For measuring wood the cubic meter
Is the unit, and Is called ster. from q
Greek word meaning q solid, and
which is found in our word stereoscope.
These are all the tables and terms es-
sential, and any intelligent person can
master the whole system in half an
hour. Its beauty and simplicity be-
comes more and more apparent as 1t Is
better understood, and ifthe old system
had not ignorance and prejudice on its
side it could not stand for moment
against the metric system. 1t has been
estimated by competent instructors that
if the old system were replaced by the
new the change would on the average
save one whole year in the schooling of
each child.
The saving in commercial transac-
tons through the adoption of the met
ric system by this country would be
enormous, reaching into the millions.
The saving would not be alone in time,
but in the multitude of different
weights and measures corresponding to
the different tables at present in use.
1t would enable our physicians and sci
cntific men to understand and employ
the formulas and other metric express
sions in foreign journals, and would
create q much needed uniformity in
their writings in these respects.
There is no difficulty in the way of
the adoption of the metric system ex-
cept the obstinate conservatism which
clings to old Inconvenience because
they are old. For all ordinary business
the cost to individuals of replacing the
old weights and measures by metric
ones would be little felt. All the sys-
TEN needs is all actual trial of it in bus
mess to become Indispensable.
One objection often made 10 the met
ric system is our unfamilarity with its
units and the fact that they are incom-
measurable with the units TO which we
are accustomed. This objection won 4
disappear with an actual sight and
handling of metric weights and ne ,s-
urcs. In using the metric system the
idea is not to think in terms of the old
measures and then translate them by
calculation into metric measures, but
we must learn TO think in the metric
system at the outset.
A comparison OF the relative conven-
fence of the units employed in the two
systems results almost invariably in fa-
voi of the metric units. The meter is
| puila cnuynuinnt tI,o ,,o.l e., ,,ooo
uring cloth and moderate distances.
The centimetcr is much more conven-
lent than the inch for measuring small
distances and lengths, while for very
small measurements the millimeicr
with its decimal divisions gives much
more convenient expressions than the
small fractions of the inch. The length
of the meter is but little more than that
! ot the yard, being little less than thir-
| iy-nine and two tiiihs inches. The kill
ometcr or one thousand meters, is pref
cradle To the mite for measuring long
distances, inasmuch as it is more easily
giaspei by the mind.
The kilogram, or kilo, as it is abbre-
Waited, is n little over two pounds aud
| three oun res. and for most articles is "A
more convenient weight than the pound,
while the half kilo, or five decigrams.
differs from the pound by an exec IS Ct
ONLY about an ounce aud half. For
| druggists, chemists and assayer's use
| the nilligram and its decimal multi
pies are beyond all comparison more
convenient than the Troy and apotheca-
ries weights with their complicated re-
lations. The metric ton or 1000 kilos
differs but little in weight from oar
"long ton"
The liter is slightly more than tie
quart in capacity.
From these few examples of the rela-
tions between the units of the two sys-
tens it will be seen that there is no sac
rifice of convenience in making the
! change, so far rs any difficulty in ad-
lusiing the new measures to new pric,
is concerned.
In another article further account
of the metric system and of its history
and applications will be given.
To those of our readers who NAV be-
come interested in the system and de-
sire to obtain metric measures, we
would say that the American Metric
| Bureau, q Franklin street, Boston,
Mass, is an organization devoted to the
introduction of the metric system in
this country and the dissemination of
information in regard thereto. ANY
sum from five cents to two dollars sent
them will purchase metric rule Ofcor-
responding value, at much cheaper
rates than corresponding rules of the
ordinary linear measure can be purchas-
ed. A stamp sent them will procure
interesting documents containing full
account of the metric system, and price
lists of weights and measures.