282 



ELEMENTS OF FARM PRACTICE 



and drive ahead, the same as when stretching one wire. 

 Always stretch the top wire first, as you thus avoid tangling 

 when the other wires are stretched. 



There are several good wire stretchers on the market. 

 If one has no other means handy, barbed wire can be well 

 stretched by bracing a wagon, blocking up one hind wheel 

 and winding the wire about the hub by turning the wheel 

 by hand. A stretcher especially made for the purpose is 

 necessary for stretching woven wire. 



Cost of Fencing. — Any farmer should be able to tell 

 approximately how much it costs to build any of the com- 

 mon fences on his farm. It is the annual cost per acre 

 that is important. To find this, one must first take into 



consideration the num- 

 ber of rods of fencing re- 

 quired to enclose an acre. 



This, of course, varies 

 with the size and shape 

 of the fields. The cost 

 of posts and wire is 

 known, because they are 

 usually purchased. If 

 posts are cut on the farm, 

 the cost of getting them 

 out will represent their 

 cost. Labor cost in setting posts and stretching wire can 

 be found by experience or by asking others who have built 

 fences under similar conditions. When one knows the total 

 cost per rod for a fence, and the number of rods required 

 to enclose an acre, one can tell the total cost per acre. 

 Questions: 



1. For what reasons should corner posts be well braced? 



2. Describe an easy method of stretching wire. 



3. In what way may one determine the cost per rod of fencing? 



4. If one knows the cost per rod, how can one tell the annual 

 cost per rod? Per acre? 



Arithmetic: 



1. How many posts are required to build 80 rods of fence, posts 

 1 14 rods apart? What are they worth at 12c. per post? What is the 

 cost per rod for posts? 



2. How many pounds of barbed wire are required to build 80 

 rods of 3-wire fence? (A single barbed wire 1 rod long weighs about 



Figure 125. — A corner post braced one way 

 and anchored so the strain of the wires 

 win not pull it out. 



