THE FAHM HOLDING. 



169 



Hints on Fencing for Settlers.* 



In putting up a wire fenc< only— supposing the timber is already Laid on 

 the ground the firsl thing to do is to dig the post holes, and there are, even 

 in rot i iicct ion with such an apparently simple operation as that, a few things 

 wnri h remembering. 



The holes sh< >u 1< 1 be from -2 inches to -I inches in depth. They should 

 not be made too big, as this involves unnecessary labour both in digging, 

 filling, and ramming ; besides, the post will not have such a firm grip 

 in the ground. They should be a little more than Large enough to receive 

 the posts comfortably, and leave room for the rammer to work to bottom 

 of the hole. Dig the full depth straighl away; if a httle too deep it 

 is easy to pui in some loose earth to make post the required height, Sighl 

 the posts from the centre, and fill in and ram the bottom — say, the first 

 6 inches thoroughly. The bottom, and near it, is the place where ramming 

 is most required ; as the top is approached less ramming will do. Place 

 earth that remains neatly around the post to allow for subsidence. 



The tools required for post hole sinking are a medium size iron bar with 

 rammer head and chisel point, and a long-handled shovel. This latter tool 

 should have a round nose and be bent inwards at the sides, so as to form a 

 kind of scoop. Small post-holes cannot be dug with wide shovels. 



Sink post holes, if possible, when the ground is in good condition — not 

 too wet and not too dry. Ground saturated with moisture cannot be well 

 rammed. 



Fig. 9.— Forked Wire-strainer, Wire-key, and Plug. 



The following gauge for spacing and boring a 7-wire sheep-proof boundary 

 fence has been found to be thoroughly reliable. 



Height from surface of ground to top of post, 4 ft. 6 in. 



No. 7 wire 3 inches from top of the post. 



Surface of ground 6 inches from No. 1 wire. 



When boring, use a f-inch auger, if No. 8 wire is to be used. Bore 

 straight and right through, so as- to push out anything that may impede 

 easy threading of the wire. 



* R. H. Gennys, Manager, Glen limes Experiment Farm. 



