AFFORESTATION OF WASTE LANDS 



[May 



are to be had on the ground or at a reasonable distance, recommend 

 in preference to any other a dry stone dyke with three tiers on top. 

 Although such an enclosure is expensive at the outset, it is cheaper 

 in the long-run than any other, when we take into consideration its 

 durability, the efficiency against sheep, and shelter it affords, on 

 exposed ground especially, to the young trees. Stone dykes are 

 built of various heights, but we consider three-and-a-half feet high, 

 including copestone, with three wires on top, quite sufficient for a 

 plantation fence (see Fig. 1). It should have a firm foundation, 



Fig. 1. 



with a width of about 34 inches, leaving 4 inches of a scarcement 

 (see Fig. 2, end section), and be built up with a regular batter 



Fig. 2. 



having a row of through bands, and a width of about fifteen inches 

 at bed of cope, which should be well bedded in lime and also 

 pointed. The standards for wires should be set 14 yards apart, 

 firmly batted into the through-band stones, which should be 1 foot 

 below bed of cope. Straining pillars should be set about 160 yards 

 apart, and iron droppers firmly wedged to wires in every 6 feet. 



The cost of erecting a fence of the above description entirely 

 depends upon the price of labour in the neighbourhood and the cost 

 of getting stones. Taking labour and cartage at an average rate, 

 and including all outlays in connection with such a fence, it should 

 be completed in a workmanlike manner for Is. 9d. per lineal yard. 



In high-lying parts of the country, where shelter is necessary and 

 stones are not to be got, a turf dyke with three wires on top is, in 

 our opinion, next to a dry stone one. There are two kinds of turf 

 dykes, " double and single." The former is suited better for level 



