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THE YOUNG FARMER'S MANUAL. 



the cross-pieces, and thus keep the posts in their places. The posts 

 should receive a good coating of pitch and gas tar, applied hot, 

 which will keep them from rusting. If this is not done, in some 



SECTION OF BOARD FENCE WITH CAST-IROX POSTS. 



soils such posts would corrode or rust so rapidly, that in less than 

 twenty years the wind would blow them over. But by smear 

 ing them they will last for ages. 



223. The weight of a post will be according to the pattern 

 and style of fence. For ordinary board fence, if they weigh 

 from twelve to fifteen pounds they will be sufficiently strong. 

 If a goodly number were ordered, they could probably be ob 

 tained for about three cents per pound in most of our cities. One 

 such post is worth two posts of the most durable kinds of 

 timber. 



224. In making a board fence with such posts, stretch two 

 lines, one a few inches above the surface of the ground, and the 

 other near the tops of the posts ; and drive every post so that 

 the top mortise will exactly coincide with the line. Now, put in 

 the boards, and smear the ends, where they come in contact with 

 each other, with paint or coal tar. No nails are required in 

 building such a fence ; no post holes are to be dug ; and the 

 posts may be set twelve feet or more apart, and the ends of the 

 boards driven into the mortises. If the boards are not very 

 stiff, nail a narrow strip across all of them at the middle of each 

 panel. A fence built with such posts in a workmanlike manner, 

 is worth all the portable board fences in America. Alex. S. 



