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v/arks, called fences ? We say no; and we hope the sentiment will be 



reiterated by the farmers of Wisconsin, and that they will ask until they 



receive from the legislature, laws upon the subject of fencing, which shall 



be equal in their operation, and save our State from the ruin and curse 



of a fencing mania. 



We have in the foregoing remarks expressed the convictions of our 

 own mind, believing that the non-fencing practice is the one to be adopted, 

 not only in theory but in practice, and that it is particularly applicable 

 in our new and growing State. 



Yet as it takes time to root out old prejudices and get rid of bad habits, 

 we do not indulge the hope that it will immediately be adopted — and as 

 in the mean time some fencing must be done, it is a legitimate inquiry: 

 What is the best and cheapest material of which to construct fences, and 

 what are the best methods of constructing the same ? 



In those localities where timber is plenty, and even where it is but 

 moderately so, that, doubtless, is the cheapest and best material to use, 

 in one form or another for building fences. 



Perhaps a page from the history of our own experience in the fence 

 department of Wisconsin farming would not be entirely uninteresting. 

 About seven years ago we commenced farming in the valley of the Rock 

 River. Our first busmess was fencing our farm. The timber being 

 "oak openings," of that kind of which three trees are required to make 

 a "rail cut," we concluded to take a "stake cut" from each and make 

 what we call a "stake and cap fence." This kind of fence is made by 

 splitting stakes from logs cut five and a half feet long, somewhat smaller 

 than ordinary rails, sharpening the end which grows uppermost in the 

 tree, then setting them in the ground from eight to twelve inches, by 

 drivino- with sled^-e or beetle. The stakes should be set in a line and 

 drove evenly upon the top to receive the cap board, which should be of 

 white oak, sawed one by three inches, and nailed to the top end of the 

 stakes, with an eight-penny nail in each stake. Such fence, if properly- 

 made, Avill last from ten to fifteen years. In setting, the largest stakes 

 .should be distributed among the smaller ones at suitable distances, so as 

 to strenghten the fence when the smaller stakes begin to give way by 

 decay. The strength and durability of this kind of fence depends much 

 upon having a good cap board. 



The portions of the trees remaining after taking off the stake cuts we 

 «cut up into lengths of six and a half feet, limbs and all, splitting those 



