STURT, George 'The wheelright's shop' Cambridge University Press, 1923 p.47 says a spoke dresser chopped the lengths of wood purchased for spokes into pieces more compatible in size with the eventual finished length of the spoke.
The text of the book is on Google Books.
I have nothing to add to help with the original question, but the name George Sturt is very familar!!
East Street [Farnham in Surrey] families
Mary Hart, (my 1st cousin 4 times removed), married George Peacock in 1845. George died in 1869.
Isabel Keen (1st cousin once removed of George Sturt 1863-1827), married John Ellerton in 1869 and went to live in Tiverton.
Mary Peacock née Hart married John Ellerton's father Francis in 1873.
Florence Hart married John Ellerton in 1888 after Isabel's death in 1887. Florence was Mary's niece - daughter of Frank.
Isabel's father was William Keen who was in partnership with George Sturt, his brother-in-law. The Peacocks, Keens and Sturts all lived close together in East Street - see "Farnham Buildings and People" by Nigel Temple for more information.
This is the George Sturt who wrote under the name of George Bourne. "The Wheelwright's Shop" being one of them.
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