I 



280 ELEMENTS OF FARM PRACTICE 



there is sufficient live stock on the farm to require good 

 fences, and unless the live stock are of such quality as to 

 yield a profit from good feed, fences are not a profitable 

 investment. 



The larger the fields fenced, the smaller the amount of 

 fencing required per acre, hence it costs less for fencing, 

 if one has enough cattle to use a large pasture than when 

 one has only a few head that can use only a small amount 

 of pasture. Figure this out for yourself. 



Investing money in fences is different from investing it 

 in land, because fences deteriorate each year and after ten 

 or twelve years must be replaced. If one invests $10 in 

 land, it is probable the land will always be worth $10 or 

 more, and the only cost each year is the interest on the 

 investment. If one invests $10 in fences, the cost of the 

 fence each year is interest on the investment and whatever 

 depreciation there may be. If the fence lasts ten years, 

 it is worth $1 less each year. Thus, to be a pajdng invest- 

 ment, the fence must earn about $1.60 per year to pay its 

 cost, while the land must earn but 60c. per year. 

 Questions: 



1. What is the chief use of fences? 



2. Of what are they usually made now? 



3. IJpon what does the value of fence posts depend? 



4. By what process are wooden posts made more durable? 



5. Why must an investment in fences be regarded differently 

 from an investment in land? 



Arithmetic: 



1. How many acres of land in a field 40 rods wide by 120 rods 

 long? How many rods of fencing are required to enclose it? How 

 many rods of fencing are required per acre? 



2. How many acres of land in a field 80 rods square? How 

 many rods of fencing are required to enclose it? How many rods of 

 fencing are required per acre? 



3. If fencing costs 25c. per rod and lasts ten years, what is the 

 annual cost per rod? (Figure 6% interest on 25c. and add to it 1-10 

 of the cost of the fence.) How much is the annual cost per acre of 

 such a fence, if 10% rods are required to enclose an acre? 



BUILDING FENCES 



Good Workmanship. — In building fences, like most 

 other kinds of work, a man can show whether or not he is 

 a good workman. If one sees straight, well built and well 



