ON TWO NEW MODES OF FENCING. 171 



XVIII. On Two New Modes of Fencing. By Thomas Wilkie, 

 Forester, Invergarry, Fort- Augustus. 



I suggest two methods of fencing, as possessing many advan- 

 tages. They are not costly in the formation, and do not require 

 frequent repairs : 



1. The Pollard Fence. — If to be along the margin of a planta- 

 tion of deciduous trees, or passing through one, I select a line 

 either straight or circled, as the case may require, and if I have 

 such trees growing say at distances of 12 or 20 feet, I put in a few 

 stobs in the interspaces, in a straight line with the trees, on either 

 side. I pollard all the trees in the line of fence, leaving a few of 

 the lower branches to keep the pollard alive, and dress the cuts 

 with a common pruning-knife. I then place double winders at 

 distances of 150 to 200 yards apart; if much circled, I put them 

 at the former distance, and if straight, at the latter. I then staple 

 on the wires at various distances as required, and strain up by the 

 double winder. Having done so, I pollard a sufficient number of 

 other trees, which I transplant to the line of fence, placing them 

 6 feet apart. When on a level and straight line I staple on the 

 highest and second lowest wires, to keep them in position. But 

 when in hollows, I have a stob as near every pollard as possible, 

 and staple on the highest wire only, lest they be raised up from the 

 pits. This fence is not costly at first, and on outlying parts of 

 property is not more expensive than good common larch stobs, and 

 if plenty of pollards can be got near the line of fence, it woidd be 

 no more so than strong stobs charred and tarred. "With me the 

 cost of erection was from 3d. to 4|d. per lineal yard, but all de- 

 pends upon the number of trees in the line of fence, and the supply 

 of those suitable for transplanting to it ; my pollards averaged 7^ 

 feet in height and 4 inches diameter at the small end, and con- 

 sisted of oak, ash, beech, elm, birch, thorn, alder, and hazel. 



It may be added, that where an unobstructed view is desired, 

 this fence is not observed at a distance of 500 yards. For a divi- 

 sional fence between fields none excels it for strength, durability, 

 and shelter. A beautiful diversity of hedgerow can be introduced 

 by this process, as every fourth or sixth tree may be allowed to 

 grow, while the others are pollarded where necessary, otherwise the 

 oscillation caused by the wind would make the wire to cut the 

 staple or the staple the wire. When circles or angles occur, the 



