Use
Beam or steelyard scales were used to weigh cotton, tobacco, and other agricultural goods. When the scale was attached to a beam, the object being weighed would be hung on the hook and a counterweight such as this would be placed on the serrated edge. The counterweight would then adjusted up or down the serrated edge until the load was balanced. Counterbalance weights were available in different weight amounts depending on the load capacity of the beam scale.
