THE FORMATION OF PLANTATIONS. 273 
for enclosing plantations. To make the fence thoroughly efficient 
and proof against Highland sheep, two wires fastened to small 
iron standards should be placed on the top. The standards should 
be set 9 feet apart, and firmly “batted” into the stones with 
lead or cement; pillars for straining the wires being placed in the 
dyke 150 yards apart. 
Turf dykes were formerly much in use for enclosing plantations. 
In many high-lying districts of the country, where stones are not 
easily procurable, and where, from the nature of the sol and 
situation, hedges are not likely to succeed, they are still not 
infrequently used. They form at best a very insufficient fence, and 
in order to make them proof against sheep and cattle, they must 
be surmounted by a wire fence. But when we consider that 
wooden posts so situated will not probably last half so long as 
when fixed in the natural ground, and that only a very little saving 
in wood and wire can be effected at the outset, it is questionable if 
very much advantage is to be gained by the erection of turf dykes 
at all, except, of course, as shelter for the young plants. 
The form of were fencing most generally in use for enclosing 
woods in Scotland is that with wooden posts and strainers. The 
straining posts should be made of thoroughly seasoned larch of 
mature growth. They should be 7 feet long, 6 inches square, 
or, if round, 7 inches in diameter. The intermediate posts 
should also be made of larch, 5} feet long by 3} inches by 
3 inches, or, if round, 34 inches in diameter at the smallest 
end. The strainers should be pitted into the ground 150 yards 
apart, with an additional one at every sharp curve that occurs 
in the line of fence. Brackets for straining the wires should 
also be attached to the strainers. The brackets possess the 
great advantage of permitting the wires to be slackened or 
tightened at pleasure. This is a matter of great importance when 
any accident befalls the fence, or when temporary openings are 
required. ‘The intermediate posts should be pointed and driven 
into the ground 6 feet apart. In order to make a substantial 
fence against cattle or sheep, it should be provided with six No, 7 
wires, and should measure, when completed, 3 feet 6 inches high. 
The distance between the two upper wires should be 10 inches, 
and the remaining spaces respectively 8, 7, 6, 5, and 6 inches 
between the lower wire and the ground, The tops of the posts 
should be rounded off to prevent the lodgment of water. This 
fence can be erected at a cost of 5)d. per yard. 
