564 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



ihat are nailed to the post. The best timber for posts, with respect to durability, is red 

 sedar, yellow locust, black walnut, white oak, and chestnut. The bark should always be 

 removed from posts before setting. 



Preserving Fence Posts. Various methods have been employed for the preserva 

 tion of posts, some 6f which have proven very efficient in retarding the progress of decay, 

 rhere is a great difference, however, not only in the durability of different kinds of timber, 

 but in the manner upon which different soils act upon wood, it generally decaying very 

 slowly in a compact clay, but rapidly in silicious sands and gravelly soils. Placing the 

 post in the ground in a position which is the reverse of that of its natural growth, or the 

 upper end downward, will render it more durable. Charring the part that is buried, or cov 

 ering it with coal tar, as well as imbedding it in ashes or clay, is thought to add to its 

 durability. 



Soaking the posts in a solution of blue vitriol, in the proportion of one pound of vitriol 

 to forty pounds of water, is highly recommended by some as a means of preserving all kinds 

 of timber that is exposed to the weather or moisture. If the timber is dry it should be 

 soaked ten days; if green, six days will be sufficient. 



But one of the best preservatives with which we are acquainted is to completely saturate 

 that part of the post to be placed in the ground, with kerosene or common coal oil, and after 

 ward covering it with tar. 



A farmer in Mississippi gives the following statement with respect to this method of 

 treatment: . 



&quot; Ten years ago I built a grapery at the end of the house, as a screen against the western 

 sun, using sawed pine posts. Anticipating the difficulty of ever replacing these posts after 

 they became covered with vines, I took the extra precaution of completely saturating the 

 lower ends with kerosene common coal oil before applying the tar. These posts are now 

 perfectly firm and almost as sound as they were when put in. All other pine posts set at 

 that date have entirely rotted and perished. The result of this experiment so thoroughly 

 impressed me with the value of coal oil as a preservative of timber under ground, that I now 

 use it on all posts in building, afterwards covering with hot coal tar. 



&quot;I add this, however, which I think will doubtless prove of great value: I bore a % to 

 | inch hole in the post near the ground, slanting downward and reaching beyond the center; 

 this is to be filled with kerosene from time to time perhaps once in three or four years will 

 answer. I feel sure that insects very greatly hasten the decay of timber, to say the least; 

 and kerosene being repellant to them, makes it a valuable application at any point where they 

 are likely to do mischief.&quot; 



Dr. Z. H. Mason of Florida, also recommends the use of kerosene oil for this purpose, 

 and says that in that State it has proved a very effectual preservative of wood against decay 

 from moisture and the attacks of the white ant, known in that section as the wood louse, 

 which is very destructive to timber. Timber suitable for posts becoming scarce, by this 

 means almost any kind may be used for the purpose, and rendered quite durable, thus sav 

 ing a large amount of money, time, and labor. 



Post and Board Fence. This fence presents a much better appearance than that 

 made of posts and rails, and in sections where timber can be easily converted into boards, it 

 is cheaper than the latter. The posts should be placed from seven to nine feet apart. The 

 boards, if about six inches wide, should be placed about the same distance apart and firmly 

 nailed to the posts. If substantially made, such a fence always looks well, and will last a 

 long time with few repairs. Before setting the posts the ends to be placed in the earth 

 should be saturated with kerosene oil and covered with coal tar to increase their durability. 

 Precaution should be taken also, in setting, against their being thrown out by the frost, 

 according to directions given in connection with the post-and-rail fence. 



