top discard of twenty or more per cent. the letter A will be
omitted. Open-Hearth rails to be branded or stamped O. H. All
marking of rails shall be done so effectively that the marks may be
read as long as the rails are in service.

[Sidenote: Drop testing.]

"12. (_a_) Drop tests shall be made on pieces of rail rolled from
the top of the ingot, not less than four (4) ft. and not more than
six (6) ft. long, from each heat of steel. These test pieces shall
be cut from the rail bar next to either end of the top rail, as
selected by the Inspector.

"The temperature of the test pieces shall be between forty (40) and
one hundred (100) degrees Fahrenheit.

"The test pieces shall be placed head upward on solid supports, five
(5) in. top radius, three (3) ft. between centers, and subjected to
impact tests, the tup falling free from the following heights:

70 lb. rail 16 ft.
80, 85 and 90 lb. rail 18 ft.
100 lb. rail 20 ft.

"The test pieces which do not break under the first drop shall be
nicked and tested to destruction.

"(_b_) (It is proposed to prescribe, under this paragraph, the
requirements in regard to deflection, fixing maximum and minimum
limits, as soon as proper deflection limits have been decided upon.)