A Handy Stake-Driver.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 176, 30 October 1886, Page 4 (Supplement)

A Handy Stake-Driver.

Where it is required to drive long poles into the ground for any purpose, as for Instance hop-poles, it is impossible to do so by the ordinary method of striking them on the top with 1 an axe or a maul, unless you have a &idvabl« stage to stand on. Also the tops of the poles or stakes are apt to be battered and split during the operation. The device shown in our engraving illustrates a plan invented by a correspondent of an American paper, which

enables one to drive long stakes into the ground as readily as short ones and without injury to the stakes. A block of tough wood a foot long is fashioned to the shape represented in the cut, namely, four or five inches square at the top, and tapering 1 at the other end to the form of a wedge. The side of the block intended to go next the pole is hollowed out somewhat, so that the pole may fit into it, thus helping to keep the piece of wood upright when struck with the driving implement. An ordinary plough chain is wound . tightly round the block and pole at a convenient height on the latter, and securely hooked in place. By a few heavy blows on the top of the block the pole can .now be driven quickly and firmly into the ground. It will easily be seen that every blow must lighten the grip of the chain upon the pole. ■■-♦■