THE VALUE OF A BIT OF WIRE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1071, 15 February 1883, Page 3

THE VALUE OF A BIT OF WIRE.

All who use velrVes of any kind, and farmers especially, should know the great value of a hit of copper wire in making a large variety o f repairs. Indeed, its utility is not confined to the .farm. We never set out mon a j 'Urnev, or even on a short fishing excursion, without making sure that copper wire is placed among th* essentials of the outfit. Perhaps the most convenient size for general use is No. 16—about the size of an ordinary knitting needle—but a size larger, and one smaller, will very often come ba:.dy. The wire may be made into a small coil, or it may be wound upon a spool, or even a stick. Before it is coiled or wound, it should be made ready for use by straightening out any kinks or crooks there may be in i». This is done very qnic'-ly by making one end of the wire fast to any convenient strong nail ; then take one end of the wire around a smooth stick of hardwood—a hammer handle answers well—and by walking backwards allow the wire t> slip tightly on the stick. This will make it perfectly smooth, when it may be wound up. A coil or roll of the wire shou’d be put in every cairiage or waggon, and every mower, reaper, grain-drill, and other farm machines he similarly provided. Even the ploughman, if he values time, will take care to have a pi«‘ce of tie wire either attached to the plough or in his pocket. He can then mend a trace chain without spending several hours in going to have a loose link put in ; and even a broken whiffle tree may be made serviceable in a few minutes. There is scarcely any part of the harness that cannot he mended by the use of I lie wire, and often so completely that no further repairs are needed. The number of breaks in farm and household implements of vinous kinds which may be remedied, and the article made as good as new by the proper application ot copper wire, will le found surprisingly large when one gets in to the way of using it. A friend of outs who was making a journey in his own carriage broke one ot the springs when a long way from home ; this was soon mended with the wir , and the spring was so serviceable that it was used in this condition after reaching home, until it was convenient to have it repaired by the blacksmith. In repairing an article of wood or metal, the wire should be wound around it in close coils, each pulled taut in the same manner that sailors apply yarn in ‘ serving ’ or ‘ wolding.’ In mending harness, long stitches may be made with Jie wire.— * Anneakd ’ iron wire is the cheap r and the stronger, and as useful if proteete I Iro n rusting.—American Agriculturist.