The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-09-29

running the levels in order to get the
precise elevation Of each hub. after
which 1t was possible to establish the
grades and ascertain exactly the
depth Of the trench at each hub.
When the hauling was finished all the
work here outlined had been done
and we were ready to begin digging
the trenches.
In discussing each step in the work
have not taken for granted that the
farmer, upon short notice, can qualify
himself for acting as his own engineer
if he can use lowell and from his
notes, prick out a profile, so much the
better-but wanted to give him a
comprehensive idea of what is neces-
sary to be done in order that he may
be able to prepare for the work in
telligently.
Further preparations had been the
assembling of the following articles
Eight tiling spades with blades IS
inches long; six common long handle
shovels. three Of which were narrow
ed to 1-2 inches by clipping off the
sides: two stout garden lines for
marking the trenches; a small but
strong fishing cord for the overhead
grade line.
One grade rod feet long and half
dozen other rods 1-2 inches short
er, the seven-foot rod being readily
distinguishable from the others.
These rods are simply straight pieces
Of wood cut to the exact lengths
given
SO stakes, A. Gig. y two inches
square and five feet long. made of
straight grain pine and nicely sharp
ened.
20 grade boards r, half an inch
thick, or inches wide and two feet
long, on which were nailed the bat
tens c To prevent splitting.
On the top edge of B and 19 inches
from the edge of the bottom c., was
driven the small carpet staple d,
through which the line f Gig. p was
passed.
These several pieces of wood, when
assembled in position. formed the ar
rangement shown in Figure /. The
stake A was driven firmly into the
ground about two inches from the
hubs, and in linz with them, so when
the boards B were placed in position
the staples d were directly over the
centre Of the trench.
The stakes A were driven before
the digging was begun, as driv;ac
them after opening the trench would
have caused the side Of the trench
to cave.
The boards B could not be placed
| in position until the trench had been
worked out deep enough for the
heads of the workmen to be out ol
the way.
Fig. 1 shows a cross section of the
completed trench with a grade boart
In position. Fig. 2 shows severa
grade boards in perspective, with the
open trench below. In this figure
the bank Of earth thrown from the
trench Is purposely omitted in ordel
to give view of the trench.
In marking out trench for pipe,
not larger than four-inch, 1 stretched
my lines 16 inches apart. Taking 3
STAFF of wood 26 inches long, 1 max,
some distinguishing mark on one end
and 10 inches from this end 1 cut
notch. Laying the staff on the grount
at right angles to the line of hubs
and with the marked end at the cen
tre Of hub. I drive two stakes. on,
at the notch, the other at the end O
the staff and consequently 26 inche
from the hub. These stakes Ga pai
opposite each hub) are thus placed II
inches apart. The two garden line
are now drawn taut from pair to pal
Of these stakes. and mark the side
of the trench. The lines are left II
position until the first spading O
earth has been thrown out and tn
sides OF the trench neatly trimmed
Az the wOrkmen do not trim tn
trench exactly to the lines, the to,
Of the trench when finished Is abou
"A inches wide.
The grade boards B are so place.
that their top edges are exactly sever
feet above the proposed grade Of tn
trench bottom. To get this p ,sitlon
subtract the depth Of the trench a