2IO Journal of Agriculture. [ii April, 1910. 



Barbed Wire. — The top wire to be 12 gauge galvanized barbed wire 

 firmly secured to top of posts and dropi>er.s with 12 gauge galvanized tying 

 wire which is to pass tlirough holes in tops of droppers and posts. 



Plain Wire. — Below barbed wire are four No. 8 gauge steel galvanized 

 or black wires spaced as follows measuring from the ground : — 12 in., 24 

 in., 36 in., and 43 in. Wires to be secured to outside of posts with i in. 

 galvanized staples or with No. 12 tying wire and to the droppers with i| in. 

 galvanized staples wliich pass over the wire through the hole in dropper 

 and are clinched on the opposite side of dropper. 



Gates. 



The most unsatisfactory thing about most farms are the gates. Rarely 

 do they appear to be in good order or working satisfactorily. Ranging 

 from the Mallee lightning gate of one-barbed wire and a stake to the most 

 elaborate mortice- framed iron-stayed structure, it is generally a bother when 

 driving to open or shut them. Defective design, both in undue weight and 

 in framing, is, as a rule, responsible for this state of things. Lightness and 

 stiffness are the essentials, and, leaving out the iron gates now coming into 

 general use, but beyond the ordinary farmer's ability to make, there is none 

 better than the double-batten gate. It is no novelty, having been often 

 described and long in use. There are, however, some points where improve- 

 ment can be made, and these are incorporated in the drawing herewith. In 

 a gate there are rails, angle braces, and stiles ; the stiles to which the hinges 

 are attached are termed hanging stiles, and those with the catch falling 

 stiles. The materials for one pair of 3 in. x i in. double-batten gates for 

 an opening of 12 feet are: — 



8 rails, 3 in. x i in. and 6 ft. long — 48 ft. 



8 stiles, 3 in. X I in. and 4 ft. long — 32 ft. 



4 angle braces, 3 in. x i in. and 6 ft. 6 in. long — 26 ft. 



I catch, 3 in. x i in. and 4 ft. 6 in. long — 4 ft. 6 in. 



4 packing pieces, say, 3 ft. 6 in. 



Total 114 running feet, 3 in. x i in. hardwood. 

 4 pairs hinges and gudgeons, as shown. 



4 cuphead square-shoulder bolts, 7-16 in. x 33 wood lencrth. 

 8 cuphead square-shoulder bolts, 7-16 in. x 25 wood length. 

 18 cuphead square-shoulder bolts, f in. x 3 in. wood length. 

 All with nuts and washers. 



The method of construction is of the simplest. Lay two stiles hanging 

 and falling, on the ground at the proper distance apart and square; lay the 

 angle brace so that it comes to the ends of stiles; mark it and cut several, 

 as many as required ; lay it between the stiles ; place the rails in position, 

 as many as desired, and projecting beyond the stiles at each end, and on top 

 of them lay the remaining stiles and the angle brace. A nail or two will 

 hold them in position while holes are bored through for the bolts, and the 

 latter inserted and screwed up. A pair of gates should not occupy in mak- 

 ing much over one hour. If many are wanted, a frame should be made 

 and set on the ground, for convenience and saving of time. The points to 

 be borne in mind are to keep the bolt holes as far as possible from the 

 ends of the battens to avoid risk of splitting. This is done bv canying 

 the angle braces to the ends of the stiles, and not to the crossing of the 

 rails and .stiles as usual, and by extending the rails beyond the .stiles at each 

 end. If the farmer is the proud possessor of a forge and stock and dies, 

 he can make the ironwork for himself. If not, recourse must be had to 

 the local blacksmith. The cost, however, should not exceed about seven 

 shillings for the two pairs of hinges. 



