"Fool-Proof  Spacer." — To  keep  the


HOUSEHOLD    DISCOVERIES


reinforcement  in  place  use  the  little
device  known  as  the  "fool-proof
spacer."  This  consists  of  a  No.  10
wire  cut  to  such  a  length  that,  when
twisted  once  around  each  of  the  two
reinforcing  wires  or  rods,  the  ends
will  nearly  touch  the  sides  of  the
molds.  The  distance  from  the  twists
to  the  end  of  the  short  wire  or  spacer
is  equal  to  the  distance  from  the  re-
inforcement to  the  side  of  the  mold.
On  triangular  molds  such  a  spacer
can  be  used  only  on  the  two  rods  or
wires  near  the  top  of  the  mold.  A
shorter  and  similar  device  with  only


"Fool-proof    spacer"   for   reinforcement.
{Office  of  Public  Beads.)

one  twist  may  be  used  on  the  lower
reinforcement.  Place  at  least  three
spacers  on  each  piece  of  reinforce-
ment; one  at  the  middle  and  the
other  two  not  far  from  the  ends  of
the  post.  Metal  slightly  rusted  may
be  used.  Galvanizing  is  not  neces-
sary. There  will  be  no  rusting  once
the  metal  is  encased  in  concrete.
It  is  a  good  plan  to  have  the  rein-
forcing wire  3  inches  longer  than
the  posts  and  turned  back  an  inch  on
each  end  in  the  form  of  a  hook.
For  posts  subject  to  rubbing  and
crowding  as  in  barn-yards,  short  ex-
tra reinforcing  pieces  2  feet  long  are
sometimes  placed  in  the  lower  end  to
prevent  the  posts  from  snapping  at
the  surface  of  the  ground.
