239 



In straining wire expansion in the hot weather and contraction 

 in the cold must not be forgotten. Wire, if the " Titan " is used, 

 is more expeditiously tightened if the strainer is used on the wires 

 between the straining posts, and not up against the posts, as is 

 usual. Straining this way is less trying to the end posts, which 

 have to bear all the strain, and double the distance can be strained 

 at one operation. The illustration referred to above shows the 

 iron plug used for driving into the hole to hold the wire after it has 

 been strained by the ordinary bush strainers, and the key, for 

 twisting the loose end round the standing part of the wire, and 

 giving a secure and neat finish, is also illustrated. 



The woodcut shows how to make a proper fencing-knot. 

 This the figure-of-eight knot will stand any amount of straining 

 (in fact, the greater the tension applied the tighter the knot), and 

 looks much neater than the double loop and twist one often sees. 



I may conclude these brief notes on fencing with a specifica- 

 tion in blank, which may be of use to those who are able to get 

 the work clone by contract, as well as a guide to the less fortunate, 

 who have to do the work themselves : 



Specification for a post and wire fence to be erected on the 

 (direction, N., S., E., or W.) lines at length about chains. 



Line to be cleared throughout the entire length of all scrub 

 and over-hanging trees to a width of 6 feet. 



Posts to be of split, and no post to be less than 6 feet 



6 inches long, and 6 inches by 3 at the smaller end. 



Posts to be 9 feet apart, and to be sunk 2 feet in the ground, 

 leaving 4 feet 6 inches out, and to be well rammed. 



When rocks prevent sinking, posts to be strutted and stayed on 

 both sides, and weighed down with loose rocks. 



Straining posts of to be not less than 7 feet 6 inches 



long, and i foot in diameter at the smaller end, and set 3 feet in 

 the ground, and to be stayed to foot of next post, and wires to be 

 run through the stays. 



Straining posts to be not more than ten chains apart, and at 

 the tops of rises and in the bottoms of depressions. 



Gate posts to be same size as straining posts and to be set 

 feet apart in the clear. 



Water gaps over creeks and gullies to be separate from and 

 independent of the fence, with a straining post on each side. 



Posts to be bored with a half-inch bit to the following gauge : 

 first wire, inches from the ground ; second wire, ; 



third wire, ; fourth, ; fifth, ; sixth, 



A barbed wire to be strained and stapled along the tops of 

 the posts. 



The contractor to provide all posts, wire and material. 



The work to be finished in a proper manner and completed on 

 or before , under a penalty of los. per day for every 



day over and above the specified time. 



