Again, a package of crackers may sell for 10 cents per package and crackers in bulk for 10 cents per pound. The purchaser might consider the package goods more desirable and disregard the weight. Under these conditions the package brand would naturally be selected. But the quantity is now marked on the package. Suppose in the case mentioned above the weight is 10 ounces. The cost per pound of the package goods is therefore 16 cents and of those in bulk 10 cents. The knowledge thus conveyed, that the brand somewhat better in quality or flavor was 60 per cent higher in price, might entirely outweigh the slight difference in quality and persuade the purchaser that the bulk goods were the better for the purpose. Therefore the careful

FIG. 3.-Diagram of the equal-arm balance. (See Figs. 1 and 2)

The pans of this balance are carried on the knife edges (the triangles shown at the bearing points under the pans, at equal distances from the center or fulcrum knife edge). The scale comes to balance when the weights on the two pans are equal. The load to be weighed is placed on one pan and known weights are added to the other until the scale is in balance. The correct name for this type is "the equal arm stabilized scale."

purchaser should first examine the labels on the packages, observe the net contents, and determine therefrom the price per unit weight. If these precautions are neglected, much of the value of an excellent protective statute will be lost.

4. Household Weights and Measures Test Set

(a) ACCURACY NEEDED IN HOUSEHOLD MEASUREMENT OF PURCHASES.—Every household should have a set of weights and measures by which purchases may be checked, and short weight or short measure detected. The measuring apparatus should be well made and of sufficient accuracy. Otherwise the measurements will not be reliable enough to warrant making a definite complaint, except in cases of considerable shortage.

79843°-15-2

FIG. 4.-Household weights and measures test set, B

This equipment is suggested primarily for checking commodities purchased, but is also adapted to many other household uses.

If measurements made with apparatus of uncertain reliability show small apparent shortages, suspicion should fall upon the apparatus, not the dealer,

until the apparatus has been checked by suitable standards.

The purchasers of measuring apparatus will seldom be able unaided to verify its accuracy. They should therefore have the various pieces tested and sealed by the local sealer of weights and measures at the time of purchase. They should preferably be purchased with the understanding that acceptance will depend upon passing the official tests.

(b) APPARATUS SUITABLE

FOR HOUSEHOLD INSPEC

S

P

Liquid measures.-One quart, I pint, and 1⁄2 pint. A 4-ounce glass graduate subdivided to dram or less for measuring small quantities of liquids and determining the errors on larger amounts. Dry measures.-Nest of 1⁄2 bushel to I quart. (See following discussion as to the advisability of these.)

FIG. 5.-Diagram of the spring balance

The load placed on the pan P stretches the two springs S, S. The motion of the cross bar below the springs is transmitted through the vertical toothed bar or rack R turning the small gear G, mounted on a spindle bearing the pointer I. The pointer rotates over the dial, a portion of which with the pointer is shown in dotted outlire.

Length measures.-A yard measure, or a tape 3 or 6 feet in length.

The specifications and tolerances to which the apparatus should conform are usually obtainable at the local inspector's office. However, certain suggestions may be of value in this connection.

(c) THE WEIGHING SCALE.-Several varieties of scales for the purpose of household weighings are obtainable. A very conven

ient form is a hanging pan spring scale of about 10 or 20 pounds. capacity. A scale of this type has several advantages. It automatically indicates the weight of articles placed upon it. (See Fig. 5.) It has, moreover, no loose weights which are liable to be mislaid. It may be suspended from a bracket on the wall and therefore does not require table space. If a folding bracket is employed to swing the scale back against the wall, no space that can be otherwise utilized to advantage is required. A fairly accurate scale

of this character can be purchased for a reasonable sum.

If table space is available, however, a counter beam scale of either the equal or unequal arm type may be preferred. (See Fig. 3.) This has the advantage of being more reliable, but the cheaper ones do not automatically indicate the weight, but require the addition of loose weights or the moving of a sliding poise. Counter beam scales are usually higher in price than spring scales.

Another type of scale which is very suitable and which combines many of the advantages of each of the types mentioned above, is a beam scale of the steelyard type designed to hang from a bracket, and to fold back against the wall when not in use. Such a scale often has a larger capacity than the common forms of the types described above and thus may be used for every occasion which may arise. Scales of this construction, designed expressly for household use, are now on the market. (See Fig. 6.)

A type of spring scale has been much used in the past, namely, the so-called "family" scale, having the commodity pan or platform above the spring. Many of these are very cheap (often costing only $1 or less) but have been found exceedingly inaccurate. Unless exceptionally well built and correspondingly higher in price, this type is useless in properly checking the weight of deliveries of commodities received.

(d) LIQUID MEASURES AND GRADUATE. The liquid measures should be cylindrical, or conical with the top diameter smaller than the bottom diameter, and made of metal, enameled ware, composition, or similar and suitable material. They should be strong and rigid enough to withstand ordinary usage without becoming bent, indented, or otherwise damaged.

The graduate may be cylindrical or conical in shape. The former is usually somewhat more accurate, while the latter is somewhat cheaper, is more easily cleaned, and can often be more readily procured. The graduation marks should be correctly placed and plainly numbered, so as to indicate readily the capacity of the graduate at all points. They should also be straight, clearcut, and of sufficient length to allow accurate readings to be made.

(e) DRY MEASURES.-The dry measures should be made of metal, or of well-varnished wood with a metal band around the top, or of similar and suitable material. They should preferably be cylindrical. If they are conical, the top diameter should exceed the bottom diameter by an amount not exceeding 10 per cent of the latter.