[45] 



Utility of Lime inpreserviiig Fence-posts, BijWm, TFebb, 

 Near Lancaster, {Penn.) 9th mo. {Sept,) 10, 1818, 



Believing that the following described mode, to 

 preserve fence-posts from decay in the ground, will 

 answer a good end, and be of great importance to the 

 farmer ; the Society, if of the same opinion, will give it 

 that publicity they think it merits. 



Accident in some instances, has led to the discovery^ 

 that lime applied to wood, preserves it from decay. The 

 white-washing of fences is practised, more as a substitute 

 for paint, and for appearance sake, than to prevent decay. 

 Even this superficial mode of applying lime, is of some 

 use in preserving wood. 



Having full confidence in the efficacy of lime, as a 

 preservative of wood, to make fence-posts less subject 

 to rot, I have this, season, for the first time, used it as 

 follows. I provided a number of narrow boards, about 

 three feet long of various breadths, and one inch thick, 

 with a hole in the end of each. When the hole in the 

 ground was ready for the reception of the post, some lime 

 was put into it ; on this lime the post was placed ; some 

 of the narrow boards were then selected, and placed close 

 to and around the post in the hole. The ground was 

 then rammed into the hole, after the usual manner ; and 

 when filled, the boards were drawn out. This is done 

 with greater facility, by putting a stick into the hole in 

 the upper end of the board, by which it may be raised 

 by a lever or prise, if too fast to draw out otherwise. The 

 boards being all removed, fill the space they occupied 

 N 



