to the Firft Volume, 593

andif the fate is found to fall properly, the thort poft may be put up accordingly, though the method defcribed may not have been minutely purfued, taking care that the fhort poft be fufficiently within the line of equilibrium, and that the gate fet off from the fhort poft with a velocity equal to overcome any increafed friCtion by-ruft on the hinges, for oil thould not be ufed at all, as its occafional aid is not to be depended on*.”

It is obferved that“indifferent gate-pofts are liable to get out of their upright po- fition; the conftant weight of the gate mufi have a tendency to pull the hanging- poft inwards; the fall of the gate may make the falling-poft recede from the direc- tion of the frequent blows it receives, and heavy carriage-wheels paffing near the pots, will occafion them to open outwards; and the natural or artificial flopes of the ground adjoining gate-pofts often affe& their upright pofition, and decline them:from the higher ground,” and many other caufes produce fimilar effects, to ebviate which many contrivances have been recommended; fuch as“ mortifing the pair of gate-pofts together by crofs pieces of timber under the road; but the moft effectual preventive of the evil appears to be that of letting down the pofts very deep into the ground, which will fuperiede the expenfe of crofs timbers; and in gaining a firm hold at their bafes, they will be the better fecured both from natural and accidental difplacementt+.” Gate-pofts for common gates fhould be from eight to eight feet and a half in Jength.

Care is alfo“ to be taken in hanging a gate, to choofe the belt fide for it to open; im doing which there are two circumftances to be confidered; the principal one is, that there may be plenty of room for a fervant on horfeback to hold the gate while a car- riage pafles, and the other is, to avoid its opening againft any crofs road or path: Add to which fome attention is due to the trefpafs of cattle from a common road, or otherwife; and it is thought more fecure for a gate to open againft that fide from which the trefpafs may be moft apprehended. In fome cafes it is advifable to furnith a hanging-poft with a pair of hooks on both fides of it, fo that the gate:.can be fhifted as occafion may make it convenient ft.”

A key-hole and cotter may be put in the lower hook“ to fecure the gate from being taken off the hinges for idle purpofes; ora ftud rivetted to one fide of either of the hooks, with a little notch cut in the ftrongeft part of the adjoining thimble,-is a:fimple and good contrivance, whereby a gate is prevented from being taken off‘the hinges when fhut, but is eafily taken off at fome one part of its courfe when required, where the ftud comes oppofite to the notch, and admits the thimble to pafs over the ftudded hook.” And it is not uncommon fo{ee one hook

* Parker's Effay on Gates.{ Ibid.{Ibid.

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