It
may be added, in favor of this, as a medium measure, that eight of
the standard, or statute measures before enumerated, are below this
term, and nine above it.
The measures to be made for use, being four sided, with
rectangular sides and bottom.
The pint will be 3 inches square, and 3 3/4 inches deep;
The quart 3 inches square, and 7 1/2 inches deep;
The pottle 3 inches square, and 15 inches deep, or 4 1/2, 5,
and 6 inches.
The gallon 6 inches square, and 7 1/2 inches deep, or 5, 6, and
9 inches;
The peck 6, 9, and 10 inches;
The half bushel 12 inches square, and 7 1/2 inches deep; and
The bushel 12 inches square, and 15 inches deep, or 9, 15, and
16 inches.
Cylindrical measures have the advantage of superior strength,
but square ones have the greater advantage of enabling every one who
has a rule in his pocket, to verify their contents by measuring them.
Moreover, till the circle can be squared, the cylinder cannot be
cubed, nor its contents exactly expressed in figures.
Let the measures of capacity, then, for the United States be ---
A gallon of 270 cubic inches;
The gallon to contain 2 pottles;
The pottle 2 quarts;
The quart 2 pints;
The pint 4 gills;
Two gallons to make a peck;
Eight gallons a bushel or firkin;
Two bushels, or firkin, a strike or kilderkin;
Two strikes, or kilderkins, a coomb or barrel;
Two coombs, or barrels, a quarter or hogshead;
A hogshead and a third one tierce;
Two hogsheads a pipe, butt, or puncheon; and
Two pipes a ton.
Pages:
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128