1886.] }]1:SCELLA.\E0U,^. 593 



fact that, while young hollies have spiny leaves, those of older trees, 

 which are out of the reach of browsing animals, tend to become quite 

 unarmed. In confirmation of this I may also adduce the fact that 

 while in the evergreen oak the leaves on well-grown trees are entire 

 and smooth-edged like those of the laurel, specimens which are 

 cropped and kept low, form scrubby brushes with hard, prickly leaves. 



PnESERViXG Fence Timdek. — Considerable trouble and expense 

 are often incurred in the attempt to render fence posts and other 

 timber for fencing purposes more durable by coating them with 

 petroleum or other applications in vogue for that purp(jse. The 

 object is a good one, and when properly gone about the practice is 

 successful. It matters less what sort the timber to be employed 

 may be than the condition it is in when operated upon with th(^. 

 view of increasing its durability. Before applying anything to it to 

 prevent rot, it should first be thoroughly seasoned. If the natural 

 sap is still in the timber, it will prevent the perfect absorption of 

 the application, and that, on the other hand, will prevent the escape 

 of the sap, which will ferment and induce immediate decay. It 

 were better and cheaper to leave such work alone than perform it 

 in this manner. Yet the material for fences is not unfrequently 

 felled, sawn, and erected and dipped in or coated with the preser- 

 vative composition, whatever it may be, within a month of the con- 

 ception of the work. In cases of emergency, if seasoned posts are 

 not handy, it would be more rational practice to well but very 

 slowly char the end that is to be placed in the ground of the fresh 

 cut ones, to the extent of one foot more than will be buried, then 

 cut the loose charred surface off all round and apply the preservative 

 composition. This is really the foundation of the fence, and some 

 care as well as skill is necessary to lay it well. A good fire should 

 be made on the ground of chips and billets, so as to get up a big 

 mass of ingle not in blaze. Over this the ends of the posts should 

 be placed not in contact with the fire, but close enough to act 

 strongly. The fire should be attended to closely so as to keep it 

 effectively up, and the posts should be turned occasionally so as to 

 bring all sides directly under the influence of the heat. When the 

 posts cease to give off vapour, they should be cleared of the charred 

 surface and dipped before they are cool in the petroleum or tar, or 

 whatever it is intended to apply as a preservative. Having thus laid 

 the foundation, the building of the fence may proceed at once ; the 

 rails and bars will season as they stand, and may be coated with the 

 preservative at convenience any time after they are considered in a 

 fit condition to take it in properly. The perfection of the charring 

 process is that the timber should not be reduced in bulk in the least 



