I attended the recent gathering at the Frontier Museum in Staunton Va. I had a great time but I saw a patch job on the german barn that I just don't understand. I figure you guys can explain it to me. Where the bottom of the post was rotted they cut off a section and patched in a piece that resembled a scarf joint. It seems to me that a wedge patch pointing up would tend to split the wood above it not support it. I've seen this kind of patchwork before and it sure looks pretty but is this the best way to strech a vertical timber?