Editor s Box. 355 



Sir, — I have read with much interest Mr. Baxter's remarks at page 

 275 on " Preserving "Wood Posts," which no doubt is a subject of great 

 interest to every one connected with fencing and its repairs. The great 

 number of fence-posts required annually in keeping fences in a proper or 

 needful state of repair is a considerable tax on the plantations •of every 

 estate ; but the time these require to fix, and the injury caused to both 

 ^\XQ and rail fences by their continual decay, is, to say the least, very 

 annoying to every one entrusted Avith the OYcrsight of such matters. 

 Although glad to see any experiments recorded in your columns which 

 result in any saving of labour or material, I am somewhat sceptical as to the 

 one recommended by Mr. Baxter. In iron fences it is a difficult matter to 

 fix with sufficient firmness the posts or " iron prongs " in the ground. 



A wooden fence is more liable to pressure from wind, stock, &c., than 

 iron, and therefore would be less likely to keep an upright position when 

 fixed on a small iron prong. There is another objection to this plan : 

 wood is more liable to decay where it comes in contact with iron, as shown, 

 with nails, staples, &c. 



As for the beech stob, I would as soon think of putting a Scots fir 

 handle into my axe. 



M. R. 



SCIENCE APPLIED TO THE CULTIYATrON OF LAND— 



"TONITE." 



Sir, — As you have been kind enough to notice and insert a report of 

 some experiments given by me at the special request of a number of 

 practical gentlemen, a short time ago, near Leeds, I think a few words on 

 the power and usefulness of " tonite " may be of use and interest to 

 the readers of your Journal. 



" Tonite," although largely used in mines, quarries, and shaft sinking, 

 has not yet been fairly introduced to those interested in reclaiming land, 

 for which it is specially adapted. The experiments reported on page 229 

 of your August number so thoroughly satisfied the gentlemen who veit- 

 nessed them, that they pronounced it the safest and best explosive known 

 for clearing land of tree stumps and boulder stones. The severe tests 

 it was applied to prove its safety in use, transit, and storage, beyond 

 doubt the very thing required to place in the hands of workmen, for 

 with a little care and a few minutes' instruction any common labourer can 

 use it with safety and expedition in the clearing of land. 



Many acres are lying waste which could easily be cleared and converted 

 into valuable land, as tonite has the singular property of striking down- 

 wards ; so that by placing, say, a three-ounce cartridge on a stone 

 weighing two to three hundredweight, and putting a little clay on the top 

 of it, it will break the stone ; or by placing another heavy stone on top 

 of the cartridge it will break them both. 



Heavy stones sunk in the ground can be removed by making a hole 



