Plow/Land measure

bgott · Jul 7, 2004

I found this on a blacksmith site I frequent. The plow rework at the start is interesting, I did a little of it when I was a kid. I really found the land measure section at the end of the page to be helpful. Now you know why fence posts get set 16 feet apart.

http://www.iforgeiron.com/Blueprints/BP0017Plow_Work/plow.htm

DaveNay · Jul 7, 2004

Extremely interesting! Thanks for the link!

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Dave

ljh2 · Jul 7, 2004

That's a pretty neat tutorial on the old measures.

Slamfire · Jul 11, 2004

Interesting, but I recently sold an 8 acre parcel that was deeded in perches. Does anyone know what a perch is?

Egon · Jul 11, 2004

1 Acre = 160 perches

One perch = 16.5 feet.

one perch [ Roman ] =10 feet

Egon

TWINKLE_TOES · Jul 11, 2004

Egon, If an acre equals 160 perches (an area measurement) how can a perch equal 16.5 feet (a distance measurement) Seems like a perch must equal a Rod.
I think a perch is where a bird sets or sits???

Inspector507 · Jul 11, 2004

If 1 acre=160 perches, then 1 perch=272.25 ft²=16.5 ft X 16.5 ft.

beenthere · Jul 11, 2004

Getting to the bottom of this. And a perches is area while a perch is length.

site

In the original post of this thread, I didn't think the measurement scheme of rods etc. came from the farmer plowing the fields. I tend to think the plowing mannerism's adapted more to the field measurement systems that came from England and fore-fathers. But I didn't research it, so cannot say for sure.

TWINKLE_TOES · Jul 11, 2004

Good job /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

160 Square Perch = Perches /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

beenthere · Jul 11, 2004

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
If you want to read more about 'perches', then this site takes its reference back to about the year 800, and it is interesting.

reference to perches

bgott · Jul 11, 2004

That can sure make your brain hurt trying to wade through it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I bet that if you take the time to learn the laws in effect back then it was a lot simpler than today's property codes.

BobInMN · Jul 11, 2004

Nice story, but it ain't true. I'll quote directly from my surveying textbook.

"The measuring device in popular use during the time of the settlement of North America was the Gunter's chain, which is 66 ft long, subdivided into 100 links. The length of 66 ft was chosen because of its relationship to other units in the foot system of measurements:

80 Chains = 1 mile
10 square chains = 1 acre (10 X 66 squared = 43,560 Ft squared
4 rods = 1 chain

End quote"

That is why most old roads have a 66 ft of right of way (i.e. 1 chain). Most alleys have a 33 ft width (i.e. 1/2 chain).

wroughtn_harv · Jul 11, 2004

( That is why most old roads have a 66 ft of right of way (i.e. 1 chain). Most alleys have a 33 ft width (i.e. 1/2 chain).
)

You haven't been to Texas lately.

Need to cut those numbers in half most subdivisions. And all the plats I deal with pulling property lines I've never seen sixty six or thirty three feet right of ways, here or California.

BobInMN · Jul 11, 2004

Harv,

Most of the time the right of way will include the blvd in subdivisions. It doesn't mean the pavement is that wide. Most laws forbid the owner to do anything with the right of way, except to pay taxes on it!

beenthere · Jul 11, 2004

( Nice story, but it ain't true )

What part wasn't true? Curious as to which you are speaking to? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon · Jul 11, 2004

Ahh we all know a Perch is the little addition to duh back door wheres wes takes our boots off after cleaning up behind du Percherons.

Egon

daedong · Jul 11, 2004

In the early settlement days here in oz they surveyed roads being 1 chain (22 yards) and 3 chain(66 yards), 3 chain roads were stock routes for drovers. I guess it was simaliar in the US
 one other point of interest, 1 chain is also the length of a cricket pitch

Slamfire · Jul 11, 2004

I have pitched more'n one cricket, and I don't think I ever threw on that far. Not even with my spinning rod.

DaveNay · Jul 12, 2004

( I have pitched more'n one cricket, and I don't think I ever threw on that far. Not even with my spinning rod. )

Yeah, but were you able to catch a perch on that cricket? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dave